Tuscaloosa

I'm about an hour northeast of you, but I've spent many of years there in Tuscaloosa.

It's definitely a college town and you'll see that. If you're right on top of the university, be prepared for large crowds, crowded streets, and college kids. I'd recommend somewhere in Northport (if that's feasible) or even out to the East on 15th street. Lots of people live toward the outskirts. Just something to think of, if you can help it.

Now, when I was a student there, and a 5k-5mi was all I was running, the campus was a great place to rack up those miles and enjoy the scenery.

Hope that gets you started.