Sounds familiar. When I was younger and was in boy scouts we use to usher at the crimson tide games..thats one of the few things I remember liking about Alabama

I think the southern area's are probably better but I did not like the central area too much just not a lot to do.. Hope you don't find anything I say offensive here! Not sure how much you like Alabama lol.
Oh and Hoover was maybe 20 miles or so from West Blocton. I also have lived in Centreville, Brent, Greenpond and probably a couple other areas. We moved a lot.....these are just the cities in 1 state that I've lived in.