Birmingham, lovingly called Brum by the locals, is quickly becoming the most desirable place in England. It’s the second largest city by population and has a bustling city centre with countless employment opportunities. Because of the central location it holds in the UK, a lot of special places aren’t too far.
Did you know that Birmingham has more canals than Venice? Might as well tell you now before every local does it for us! Some people say that the best places to live in Birmingham lie around the canals and the city centre, but there are so many great places all around that we had to make a list.
Table Of Contents
10 Best Areas To Live In Birmingham
Let’s dive into the best places to live in Birmingham.
1. Digbeth
We’re starting off with Digbeth, a place hailed as the best place to live in the Midlands by the Sunday Times. Digbeth was once the industrial heart of Birmingham and is now home to some remarkable 19th-century architecture that captures a fascinating glimpse into England’s past.
Digbeth’s industrial buildings are home to independent bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs. The area is also only a short distance from Birmingham New Street Station and Bullring and Grand Central.
With both Aston University and Birmingham City University located here, Digbeth is a great place for students looking for a great educational experience.
Digbeth is a great choice for young professionals looking to experience the vibrant nightlife and take up residence in flats or apartments. However, if you seek solitude over socialising, then other neighbourhoods may be more suitable.
2. Erdington
Situated a few miles northeast of the hustle and bustle of Birmingham’s city centre, Erdington is an affordable but idyllic area to live.
Due to Erdington’s close proximity to Sutton Coldfield, houses in this area hold great value.
Erdington has plenty of amenities, green spaces and is resting at a comfortable distance from the bustling Birmingham city centre.
Everything is within walking distance, allowing you to easily get anywhere you want without requiring a vehicle.
Erdington is also close to the affluent Sutton Coldfield, which only increases the land’s value.
Erdington has plenty of amenities, green spaces and is resting at a comfortable distance from the bustling Birmingham city centre.
Everything is within walking distance, allowing you to easily get anywhere you want without requiring a vehicle.
If you’re a family that wants an affordable place in the suburbs, Erdington may be the right place for you.
3. Edgbaston
The slightly more affluent suburbs of Edgbaston offer a lot of things that come with the highly sought-after part of town.
Edgbaston has the beautiful Birmingham botanical gardens, near which is the wonderfully architectured Birmingham University Victorian campus.
For fun and exquisite nightlife, Edgbaston has Michelin-starred restaurants and high-class stores.
Edgbaston also has the historic Edgbaston Cricket Ground stadium and lawn tennis society for all you sports fans.
Edgbaston has all the amenities you could ask for, if you can afford the above average house prices, we cannot recommend this place enough, especially for students attending nearby universities.
4. Harborne
Miles southwest of the Birmingham city centre lies the suburban village known as Harborne. Harborne is the perfect location for new and growing families as well as students.
With numerous primary and secondary schools, lots of leafy parks and a fitness centre, your children are set. Harborne is also near the Birmingham University Victorian campus, making it ideal for students.
Harborne is known to have some of the best independent pubs in Birmingham.
Harborne also has a diverse high street, great food and a lot of unforgettable fun. Keep in mind that Harborne is a sought-after place, rivalling the prices of Edgbaston.
5. Holloway
Investors put the most effort into Holloway Head, now one of the best places in Birmingham’s central area.
The construction of hundreds of luxury flats and new apartments along with the Birmingham new street station, which is at most a ten-minute walk from any corner of Holloway Head, has cemented it as one of the best places to live in Birmingham for young professionals, singles and students alike.
The average house price in Holloway is subpar, but don’t be fooled because most sales made in Holloway are small apartment flats.
Holloway has the most expensive apartment sold in Birmingham, priced at a cool £1.8 million.
6. Jewellery Quarter
Jewellery Quarter is a one-of-a-kind gem in the heart of Birmingham, with more than 500 independent shops and jewellers offering all sorts of treasures. This historical urban area has been delighting shopping connoisseurs for generations.
Amongst jewellery, there are also a lot of independent businesses within Jewellery Quarter for all who love to partake in its thriving independent food and drink scene.
It has a village feel unlike any other, with an overwhelming community spirit.
Since it’s so near the centre, most offers are flats, but there is also a decent amount of terraced homes for variation, and since the prices aren’t too crazy, we give this one a full recommendation.
7. Moseley And Kings Heath
Moseley and Kings Heath lies south of central Birmingham, and boasts great advantages.
It has Grand Victorian architecture as well as easy access to everything from food to medicine, education and great entertainment. Although it has the vibe of a Victorian suburb, it offers city life without all the negatives of constant tiring movement.
Kings Heath has lively bars such as Hare and Hounds, where they have live music performances. It has some of the biggest parks in Birmingham, spanning tens of acres.
Moseley has some of the best neighbourhood eateries, a vibrant high street and a private park that’s home to thrilling music festivals and events. There are also great monthly food markets.
With a great amount of all choices of housing and decent house prices, we cannot recommend Moseley and Kings heath enough.
8. Bournville
Bournville’s story dates back to the late 19th century with the Cadbury brothers who established it and built a factory and Cadbury World, which are still functioning today.
Cadbury is a confectionary company, most popular for their Dairy Milk chocolate.
Needless to say, it’s a tourist hotspot and while it does have decently affordable housing, the best places and deals tend to get purchased immediately.
With desirable places comes everything else – great schooling, proximity to all sorts of retail stores, pubs, schools and hospitals – you name it. Bournville has great transport links and lots of green space for your children to run free.
9. Solihull
Solihull is a huge area south of Birmingham airport, aka BHX. It’s southeast of the city centre.
Even though it’s quite far from the centre, the affluent area of Solihull offers everything both a city and village person would want.
The transit is great for commuters and the surrounding area has over fifteen hundred acres of parks, hundreds of community places and buildings and plenty of character properties for you to begin climbing the property ladder.
There are several music festivals in Birmingham, so for all music lovers, Solihull has its own music festival, known as the Solihull Summer Fest.
10. Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield, known as the royal town, is a suburb northeast of the Birmingham centre. It is the most sought-after area with the highest property prices in Birmingham.
It has a green space over twenty-four hundred acres in size. The parks are home to a lot of unique wildlife and plants. There are also spaces for a lot of sports within these parks, such as fishing, canoeing, cycling, golfing and horse riding.
It’s also a perfect place for families. Sutton is host to some of the best schools and has one of the lowest crime rates. It truly is one of the best places to live in Birmingham.
SDVH’s Luton van hire is your key to a smooth move. Reach out to us today to book our reliable vehicles for your home relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham Safe?
Birmingham is a safe city. The crime rate has been on a steady decline for over a decade now, and while crimes are present, they happen few and far between. If you are worried about crime, the ideal location for you would be any of the Birmingham suburbs recommended above.
What Are The Safest Areas In Birmingham?
The safest areas in Birmingham are suburbs such as:
- Sutton Coldfield
- Northfield
- Solihull
- Moseley
- Kings Heath
One place close to the centre and highly safe is the Jewellery Quarter because it resembles a village community with a lot of close and friendly ties. If being close to the centre is not your primary concern, pick one area from the list.
What Are The Best Posh Areas In Birmingham?
The best posh areas in Birmingham are as follows:
- Edgbaston
- Sutton Coldfield
- Harborne
- Moseley
- Bournville
Places such as Solihull, Kings Heath and Hall Green are also posh to some degree and are close to being on the list. All these places are worth looking at, but the mentioned five are top picks when it comes to poshness.
Is Birmingham A Good Place To Live?
Birmingham is a good place to live. It’s got some of the best education facilities in the UK, some of the most beautiful attractions and sights, glorious buildings with Industrial, Victorian and Gothic architecture. You can find peace, nature and a lot of vibrant energy and fun here, that’s guaranteed.
Conclusion
With our list of the best places to live in Birmingham and a general idea of what it is you’re looking for, you’re hopefully narrowing it down to the best options for you. Birmingham is a place with a lot of diversity and you are certain to find the place for you.