For the Harrison family, life in Crestline feels a little like living between two worlds. There is the walkable charm everyone knows and loves, and then there is the unexpected side that feels wild, wooded, and a little untamed.

Crestline has been home to the Hillary and Josh Harrison since 2012, with a few moves along familiar streets like Glencoe and Jackson Boulevard before settling into their current home in 2022. It was a move that finally gave their growing family the space they needed.

Hillary and Josh are raising three boys, Watson (12), Judd (10), and Skip (6), all students at Crestline Elementary. Life moves fast in a house full of boys, but that is exactly how they like it.

“Our kids will try just about anything,” Hillary says. “But we all love baseball. That’s probably their favorite.” Between baseball, football, lacrosse, and basketball, their calendar stays full. Most afternoons are spent moving from one practice to the next, with weekends often centered around games. Still, even with the packed schedule, there is a rhythm to their days that feels grounded in the neighborhood.

What first drew them to Crestline was its charm and simplicity. “It just felt like everything had its place,” Hillary says. “You can walk to different restaurants, the library, the playground, even school. It feels like a little vacation town.”

That walkability reminded them of another place they once called home. Before returning to Birmingham, the family lived in New Orleans, where they restored a home built in the 1890s. While the architecture and culture were different, there were elements that made Crestline feel familiar. “In both places, no house is the same,” she says. “You can walk around and just look at the homes. Crestline has that same character.”

Still, raising a family brought them back to Birmingham for good.

“With kids, it’s just more practical,” Hillary says. “The schools are great, and we’re close to family. It makes life easier.”

And then there is the part of Crestline most people do not expect.

Behind their home, the neighborhood quietly shifts. The sidewalks give way to trails, and the sounds of traffic fade into something softer.

Their boys disappear into the woods with friends, building trails, riding bikes, and making their way down to Shades Creek, where they fish, explore, and come home muddy more often than not. “It’s kind of the best of both worlds,” Hillary says. “They can walk to Taco Mama one minute and then be down in the creek the next.”

Wildlife is part of the everyday backdrop. A red fox makes regular appearances. Deer wander through the yard. At night, the call of owls echoes through the trees.“You don’t always think of Crestline as having that outdoorsy side,” she says. “But it’s definitely here.”

Even closer to home, their backyard has become a gathering place. Friends come over after school, drawn by the open space and freedom to roam. It is not unusual for a group of boys to disappear into the woods for hours, only returning when called.“I’ll just stand out there and yell for them,” Hillary says with a laugh. “They always hear me.”

These days, Hillary stays busy at home while also working part-time in real estate alongside her brother, giving her a front row seat to the ever-changing Crestline housing market.

But for the Harrisons, it’s not just about the house. It’s about what surrounds it. A neighborhood where kids can run free, where friends show up unannounced, where dinner is just a short walk away, and where, just beyond the backyard, there is a little bit of wilderness waiting to be explored.

In Crestline, they have found their balance. And for this family of five, it fits just right.