Best neighbourhoods to move to in Birmingham

Birmingham has the second highest population of any UK city and, with some of the best shops, nightlife and industry, it is attracting young professionals from all over the country.

Is Birmingham a nice place to live?

Birmingham has so much to offer. It has amazing industry so there are great job opportunities available and the amenities, including bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, are second-to-none. New developments have seen lots of new build homes pop up in Birmingham as well as new amenities and industry opportunities. There are fantastic attractions throughout the city such as the Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Cadbury’s World. It is the perfect place for the young professionals. There’s job opportunities everywhere for the next steps of your career and easy transport links making your commute a doddle.

Is Birmingham expensive?

In comparison to other major cities, Birmingham is a very reasonably priced place to live. Prices of properties for sale in Birmingham are down on the national average at a local average of £263,068* and the cost of living is 9% lower than that of Manchester**. The majority of properties in Birmingham and its surrounding suburbs were semi-detached and these sold for an average of £271,494. Rental prices are somewhat more expensive with an average rent price of £1,527pcm***.

Best places to live in Birmingham

1. The City Centre

Birmingham City Centre has welcomed new developments and opportunities so this is one of if not the best areas for young professionals. You’ll find great job opportunities with some of the biggest, most well known businesses, mixed in with endless shopping in the world’s largest Primark or the Bull Ring Shopping Centre. If you’re a foodie, then you’ll find a diverse selection of amazing foods from around the world. Homes for sale in Birmingham City Centre are predominantly flats and terraced properties that sell for an average of £237,189*.

2. Digbeth

Voted ‘one of the coolest places to live in the UK’ by The Sunday Times in recent years, Digbeth is a quirky neighbourhood, perfect for young professionals looking for an area full of high quality independent bars, shops and restaurants. It’s great for the commuters thanks to its fast transport links to the city centre and its number of job opportunities with trendy businesses in the area itself. Properties in Digbeth are of great value selling for an average of £180,000*.

3. Brindleyplace

Brindleyplace, one of the best areas in Birmingham for getting outdoors. The endless miles of canals in the city offer great opportunities for a weekend stroll or a long dog walk. You’ll still have all this natural space as well as great bars, restaurants and other amenities. Brindleyplace is certainly one of the more affluent neighbourhoods in Birmingham so if you’re searching for up market living with plenty of amenities and outdoor space to roam then this could be the one for you.

4. Bournville

Home to Cadbury and their famous chocolate, Bournville is a scenic village with lots of green space, local shops, community spirit and, of course, plenty of chocolate. Quaint independent shops, good transport links back into the city and a selection of some of the best schools in the area make it a very popular area with families. Cadbury World attracts lots of tourists to the area to taste all the treats and see the behind the scenes of how the famous chocolate is made, it makes for a great day out for families. Houses for sale in Bournville sold for an average of £300,818, with the majority being terraced houses*.

5. Eastside

Eastside is a very popular area with students thanks to its proximity to Ashton University and the University of Birmingham’s campuses. Known as the city’s ‘Knowledge Hub’, Eastside is a great place for recent graduates and young professionals. It’s an area that has gone through extensive regeneration including the addition of the new Curzon Street Station and the HS2 train which connects you to London in less than an hour.

What is the rental market like in Birmingham?

Demand for rental properties is high in Birmingham. A recently re-developed city centre and a lucrative manufacturing industry with lots of major companies mean there is a large amount of young professionals moving into the city looking for affordable rents. Property for sale in Birmingham is reasonably priced so there is good potential for high yields, more so than many other cities in the UK.

Schools in Birmingham

Schools in Birmingham have an excellent reputation. There are plenty of options to choose from, both independent and state schools, with many of which boasting excellent results that compete in the national rankings. The top school in Birmingham is the King Edward VI Camp Hill School.

Transport in Birmingham

Birmingham is a hub for British rail transport, linking people to so many parts of the nation. Birmingham New Street Station is the biggest station and from here you’ll find all the connections you’ll need. There is also a substantial international airport offering flights all over Europe and a number of long haul destinations.

Broadband in Birmingham

Ultrafast broadband is available in many areas of Birmingham with download speeds of up to 1000mbps.