Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK, offering you all the amenities, opportunities, culture and great infrastructure that you would expect.
Going to live in Birmingham has many advantages, and after years of investment and regeneration, there is certainly plenty to attract people, without the sky-high prices of London or the South East.
There is a diverse range of career opportunities, some great
schools, easy access to all parts of the UK, an International airport right on
your doorstep, and you are surrounded by some beautiful countryside.
In this guide to moving to Birmingham, we will give you plenty of information on which to base your decision on which part of Birmingham to move to.
The German Christmas Market, one of the many events held each year in Birmingham city.
A Worldwide Quality of Living report by Mercer, as reported on www.birminghammail.co.uk places Birmingham in the top 50 best cities in the world to live.
But what makes Birmingham such a great place to live?
Here are our top 6 reasons why you should move to Birmingham.
Regeneration and investment continue all over Birmingham. The city will only get better and better as new businesses move in, new homes are created, and facilities spring up all over the city.
There are over 570 parks and open green spaces in Birmingham, with more recreational parkland than any other city in Europe.
Birmingham offers easy access to not only the UK but overseas. Birmingham’s central location, great rail and road links, a choice of international airports within easy travel, as well as the HS2 rail link, ensures Birmingham will always be a very attractive option to businesses, and therefore work.
Birmingham has a huge range of very good schools and colleges, as well as 5 universities.
With a city full of museums, art galleries, festivals and events then there is always something of interest going on.
Birmingham offers one of the finest range of shops in the UK, from independents to chain stores, the choice and variety are huge.
Is it safe to live in Birmingham? Being one of the largest cities in the UK, Birmingham has areas that suffer from above-average levels of crime, and there are certainly areas that you should avoid. Equally, there are areas that have very little crime.
www.smartertravel.com says that overall Birmingham has a lower crime rate than many UK cities, but lists the areas that are best avoided as:
Lozells
Handsworth
Northfield
Balsall Heath
A survey by Compare The Market in 2018 found Birmingham to be the safest city in the UK to live based on a number of factors including crime rates. You can read the report’s findings at www.birminghammail.co.uk
You may also be interested in reading a poll that was published last year at www.metro.co.uk which lists the safest and most unsafe cities in the UK.
As you will see there are mixed findings on how safe certain areas of Birmingham are. Usually, a drive through an area will give you plenty of information to go on, the condition of the homes, general feeling of uneasiness, etc. Check out social media sites and speak to the local Police if you are unsure of an area you are thinking of moving to.
To see what the latest crime figures are for the specific area you are moving to in Birmingham visit www.police.uk
According to www.numbeo.com the average monthly costs excluding rent or mortgage repayments are:
A single person on average will need £621.21 pm to cover living costs
A family of 4 on average needs an income of £2,170.67 pm to cover living costs
Cost of Living in Birmingham vs Major UK Cities
According to data from www.expatistan.com here is a comparison of the cost of living in Birmingham with other major UK cities
The cost of living in Birmingham is 28% cheaper than London
The cost of living in Birmingham is about the same as in Manchester
The cost of living in Birmingham is 4% more expensive than Leeds
The cost of living in Birmingham is 8% more expensive than Liverpool
The cost of living in Birmingham is about the same as York
The cost of living in Birmingham is 9% more expensive than Leicester
The cost of living in Birmingham is about the same as Glasgow
The cost of living in Birmingham is about the same as Edinburgh
The cost of living in Birmingham is 7% cheaper than Bristol
The cost of living in Birmingham is 6% more expensive than Plymouth
How Much
Does it Cost to Move to Birmingham?
How much does it cost to move a 1-2 Bedroom home to Birmingham?
Obviously each home move is different, and the only way to
get an accurate removal cost estimate is to have a reputable removal company
survey your home.
Must do: Get
a home removal cost estimate for free.
But to give you a rough idea, excluding packing costs, you
can expect to pay on average the following home moving costs when hiring a
professional removal firm to move you to Birmingham.
Moving from London to Birmingham costs on
average £520
Moving from Manchester to Birmingham costs on
average £470
Moving from Leeds to Birmingham on average costs
£520
Moving from Liverpool to Birmingham costs about £490
Moving from York to Birmingham costs about £545
Moving from Leicester to Birmingham costs about £395
Moving from Glasgow to Birmingham costs about £805
Moving from Edinburgh to Birmingham costs about £810
Moving from Bristol to Birmingham costs about £470
Moving from Plymouth to Birmingham on average
costs £660
On average expect to pay about £150-£200 for a professional packing
service for a 1-2 bedroom home.
Bournville is one of the most desirable areas of Birmingham to live.
Erdington: With great transport links, plenty of local shops and reasonably priced property Erdington is a good choice to start your search for a new home. This area is particularly popular with first-time buyers. Expect to pay about £175,000 for a 2-bed terrace.
Bournville: Home to the famous chocolate factory, Bournville is a very desirable area to live and is very popular with families because of the great schools and number of parks. Expect to pay about £255,000 for a terraced home.
Handsworth Wood: Great transport links, many local shops, a couple of lovely local parks, and plenty of large Victorian homes attracts many people to Handsworth Woods. Expect to pay about £410,000 for a 4 bed detached home here.
The Jewellery Quarter: Just a few minutes from the city centre, the Jewellery Quarter has some very desirable properties, often being converted from factories and workshops. Locally there are some great bars and restaurants. Expect to pay about £245,000 for the average home here.
Quinton: A very safe area of Birmingham with plenty of local shops and easy access to Woodgate Valley Country Park. You can pick up one of the many 3 bed semis here for about £255,000
Which are
the Cheapest, and Most Expensive, Areas to Live in Birmingham?
The top 3 cheapest places to live in Birmingham are:
Nechells:
The average property price in Nechells is £116,581
Aston,
Witton: The average property price in Aston, Witton is £119,585
Lozells: The
average property price in Lozells is £128,
317
It should also be noted that these areas are also on the
list of areas that have particularly high crime rates.
The 3 most expensive areas of Birmingham to live are:
Hockley Heath, Earlswood: Just 12 miles from the centre of Birmingham, Hockley Heath is a lovely village. There are a few pubs and restaurants, a recreation ground with a play area and football pitches and a BMX track. There is easy access to the motorway with the M40 just 2 miles away and the M42 about 3 miles away. The nearest railway station is 2 miles away at Dorridge Station. The Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal runs through the village. Hockley Heath Primary School was ranked the 9th best Primary School in Solihull in 2019. The average property price in this area is £620,275
Knowle: Just on the edge of Birmingham and 3 miles from Solihull is the village of Knowle. With a good range of local stores, a library, and Knowle Park which has tennis courts, a football pitch, and children play area. Knowle is famous for its flight of 5 locks on the Grand Union Canal. There are a couple of schools and many activity clubs within the village. The average property price in Knowle is £553,706
Henley-In-Arden: Henley-in-Arden is about 15 miles outside of Birmingham but well worth the commute. The town is famous for its medieval buildings and churches. There are regular trains from Henley to Birmingham and the M40 is only a couple of miles away. The average property price in Henley-on-Arden is £484,226
Are you thinking of moving to Birmingham alone, perhaps as a
student or for work? Is Birmingham a good place to live for single people? Here
are some essential things to know when moving to Birmingham as a single person.
Consider renting a room in a shared house, or flat sharing, if you want to save some money, get to know the area, and make instant friends in Birmingham. Useful websites for finding rooms to rent in Birmingham include: www.gumtree.co.uk, www.spareroom.co.uk, and www.nestpick.com
Join local social media groups to find out all the best places to go and learn about living in Birmingham.
www.meetup.com has plenty of local groups to join so that you quickly find new friends and get to learn all about living in Birmingham.
To find out all about local events in Birmingham, activities, groups, and societies by visiting www.interests.me
Consider volunteering in your spare time, it is a great way to meet new people and help the local community at the same time. www.bvs.org will give you some great ideas.
There are some great universities and colleges in Birmingham
with a wide range of subjects which attract people from all over the world to
come and study.
Being so central in the UK, with great transport links,
makes travel to anywhere possible, so popping back to see family and friends is
easy.
Birmingham itself is extremely well set up to cater to the
needs of the 80,000 students who study here.
There is a huge variety of things to see and do. Birmingham is famous for its range and diversity of cafes and restaurants, bars and clubs. If culture is your thing then Birmingham has plenty to offer from sporting events, to over 40 art galleries, museums, and plenty of heritage. There are annual festivals such as the Flatpack Film Festival, and regular big-name concerts at the LG Arena and 02 Academy.
And of course Birmingham has a huge Chocolate Factory, a must-visit whilst you are here.
There is a vast number of nightclubs, bars, and live music venues to cater for every taste and genre.
And as for shopping, you will find some of the best stores
in the UK here, from chain stores to quirky boutiques and independents.
Local transport is frequent so there is no problem getting
into town or out and about.
Which are the Best Areas for Students to Live in Birmingham?
Selly Oaks: Being so close to the University of Birmingham makes this area very popular with students. Bristol Road is where you will find all the pubs, restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets.
Egbaston: A great
place to base yourself if you attend the Edgbaston campus of BCU.
Bournbrook: Bournbrook completes the students’ triangle as it is known, comprising of Selly Oaks, Edgbaston, and Bournbrook. This area has many fine, largely Victorian and Edwardian properties converted into student lets.
Harborne: Just a 10 walk from the Edgbaston campus, Harborne is a slightly more affluent suburb for those who are looking for long term digs. There is a good range of pubs and eateries locally.
City Centre: Both
BCU and Aston have campuses in the city centre and you are right in the middle
of all the action, so it is a very desirable place to live. There are many old
office blocks that have been converted to student accommodation which makes
city centre living a more affordable option now.
Moseley: Just a 30-minute bus ride from the city centre, Moseley is a favourite with students. Affordable housing, great local bars and eateries and a wide range of trendy and unique shops to explore.
Eastside / Digbeth: With great transport links, many local live music venues, bars, and eateries, this area is very popular with students.
You will find these websites useful if you are looking for
student accommodation in Birmingham:
Aston Park and Hall, one of the many beautiful places to visit in Birmingham.
Birmingham offers some wonderful opportunities to live and is a great place to raise a family.
Low crime rates, good schools, plenty of job opportunities,
great transport links, many recreational options, easy access to green and open
spaces, as well as affordable housing are usually at the top of a wish list for
a family looking to relocate.
Birmingham has some lovely suburbs which will offer you all
this and more.
Halesowen: Halesowen is just 7 miles from the city centre and has regular bus services, but no train station. The M5 motorway also runs close by. Great local schools are one of the main reasons families move here. There are 14 primary schools, 3 high schools, and Halesowen college is very well regarded. The Grade 1 listed Leasowes Park is in Halesowen. Expect to pay about £124,000 for a flat, £164,000 for a terraced home, and around £211,000 for the average family home.
Bournville: With some excellent local schools, easy access to the city centre and beyond, family-friendly parks and some beautiful, historic buildings, Bournville is high on the list of many people moving to Birmingham. Bournville has a railway station with services into the city centre, the M42 is a few miles away, and the A38 to Bristol runs close by. The two top schools in Birmingham are in this area, Kings Edwards Camp Hill Boys and Girls Secondary Schools. Expect to pay about £187,000 for a flat, £255,000 for a terraced home and £285,000 for a semi-detached home. Bournville is not cheap, but it is a beautiful place to live in.
Sutton Coldfield: Always popular with families looking to move to Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield has some of the most expensive homes in the West Midlands. Large detached homes are plentiful here. Flats on average sell for £188,000, terraced homes for £230,000, with the average house price being around £350,000. With great transport links to the city centre just 7 miles away via bus or train, the M6, M42, and A38 all nearby, it is a popular area with commuters. The schools in the area are highly regarded too. With plenty of green open spaces and great local shops, it is easy to see why it is such a desirable area to move to.
Harborne: Harborne is great if you need quick and easy access to the city centre, the University of Birmingham, or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The area has great schools, plenty of shops, parks, and plenty of leisure activities. There are five primary schools and four secondary schools in Harborne. Most properties in this area are terraced, so large detached homes are commanding a premium at around £455,000.
www.birminghammail.co.uk has also published results of a school survey in Birmingham that you may like to read.
Is There
Much Employment in Birmingham?
Birmingham attracts businesses from all over the world due
to its great transport links and investment.
The city is constantly undergoing development so more and more business moves into the area regularly, meaning there is a wide and varied range of jobs available in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
Below you will find job offers ranging from professional to
retail, volunteer to internships.
What are the
Best Ways of Getting around Birmingham?
Getting around the city is easy. The tram is one of the easiest.
Bike: Birmingham has some great traffic-free cycle routes and is an easy city to navigate by bike. There are bike-specific parking bays around the city where you can safely leave your bike. And if you don’t have your own bike but want to try out Birmingham’s great cycle paths you can hire a bike from companies such as Brompton Bike Hire or On Your Bike.
Bus: Public transport is a great way to get around Birmingham as services are frequent, cheap and will get you just about anywhere. You can find out all you need to know about the buses in Birmingham here.
Train: There are a total of eight local train lines that dissect Birmingham, with connections to just about anywhere in the UK, as well as regular fast services to Birmingham Airport. www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk will give you lots of information about local train services.
Taxi: Taxi’s in Birmingham are well regulated and are a convenient and easy way to get about the city.
What is
there to do in Birmingham for Free?
Birmingham has something to satisfy the interests of just about everybody. With so much to see and do here, you will never be bored or short of things to experience. And you will be surprised at just how many great days out can be had without spending a penny.
What can you do for free in Birmingham?
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: From Egyptian artifacts to local Anglo-Saxon hoards of gold. Visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk for opening times and more details.
MAC Birmingham: Situated in Cannon Hill Park you will find the MAC. There are works of art, theatre, dance, and music workshops (although these are payable) The first Sunday of every month a craft fair is held, a food market on the last Sunday of the month, and various other food and craft markets throughout the year which are free. Visit www.macbirmingham.co.uk to learn more.
Tolkien Trail: Follow the trail and discover the places in Birmingham that inspired JRR Tolkien to write The Hobbit. Learn more about the trail at www.birminghamupdates.com
Explore Birmingham’s many parks: There are a large number of parks in Birmingham for you to explore and enjoy. www.birminghammail.co.uk lists 36 of the best parks in this surprisingly green city.
Brindley Place: A great place for a leisurely stroll along the canal-side or to see the many events that are held here throughout the year. Check out www.brindleyplace.com for more information.
With such a huge variety of pubs, clubs, restaurants, and nightlife it will be difficult to know where to explore first. So we have put together this guide to the best of Birmingham to make it easier for you.
Top 5 Restaurants in Birmingham
These are the top 5 rated restaurants in Birmingham as ranked by www.tripadvisor.com
www.designmynight.com recommends these 5 nightclubs for a great night out in Birmingham
Lab11, Trent Street B5 5NL
The Night Owl, Lower Trinity Street B9 4AG
Bambu, Wrottesley Street B5 4RT
The Core Club, Sherlock Street B5 6NB
Rosies, Broad Street B1 2HF
Top Local Birmingham Removal Firms
Finding top-rated local removal companies to move you to Birmingham is an important step to ensure a stress-free home move. It is vitally important to choose your removal company carefully to ensure they will meet all your requirements, so be sure to read the guides below.
All that remains now is to get your free home moving cost estimate and to check out the reviews of removal companies who can help you move to Birmingham.
And no doubt you will have many more questions regarding your home move, so be sure to visit our resources section where you will find a wealth of useful information to make your home move to Birmingham easier, cheaper and safer.
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