Sprawling the West Midlands region of England, Birmingham is the famous “second city” of the United Kingdom. It is regarded as the social and commercial capital of the Midlands, with its population and economy second only to London – over 4.3 million people reside in this city, and its economy was worth a staggering £35.4bn in 2022. Significantly still, Birmingham was the eighth fastest-growing city and the seventh-best start-up enclave in the UK as of 2022. Services (tech, finance, and business) and aerospace are the main industries driving the city’s economy.
Numbeo found that Birmingham has a very high quality of life, especially in the realms of purchasing power, healthcare, commute time, and climate. The abundance of green spaces, immense entrepreneurial and employment promise, cultural diversity, and a treasure trove of leisure amenities make this city an attractive homestead – unsurprisingly, its expat community is steadily growing every year, as Birmingham City Council reports. As of 2021, 69 percent of Londoners who want to move out and are under the age of 30 choose Birmingham, making it one of the youngest cities in Europe.
Read on to find out the best areas to live in Birmingham.
Edgbaston
Edgbaston is an affluent suburb located southwest of the city centre. During the Industrial Revolution, the owners of this region prohibited any factories from being built here, making Edgbaston a nature retreat for wealthy Midlanders – the area was known as “where the trees begin.”
Enveloped by Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston remains Birmingham’s green paradise. It is also home to the world-renowned Edgbaston Cricket Ground (a common venue for ODI and test cricket matches), the Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society (the world’s oldest tennis society), and the University of Birmingham. Additionally, prime real estate, Michelin dining, extravagant shopping centres, and rare galleries are also on offer. Ofsted Outstanding schools and nurseries galore, children are assured a quality life here.
A plush neighbourhood perfect for well-heeled families, houses in Edgbaston fetch around £385,269.
Bournville
Synonymous with the iconic, decadent chocolate, Bournville is a model village that was built by the illustrious Cadbury family for housing their chocolate factory employees. It has since evolved into one of the most desirable places to live in the United Kingdom.
While Bourneville is best known for the bona fide Cadbury factory and the world’s largest Cadbury shop, the neighbourhood has plenty more to its credit. The cityscape is crafted by a series of nearly identical cottages; this appealing symmetry is highly evocative of a classic painting depicting the English countryside. In a bid to maintain this exemplary aesthetic, residents have been prohibited from altering the external appearance of their homes without approval by the Bourneville Village Trust. Vast parklands, traditional pubs, and listed buildings to boot, the area is full of character. There are also primary and secondary schools in the locale, in addition to various convenience stores, crafting a well-rounded residential area.
As one of Birmingham's most affluent and idyllic locales, homes here typically cost around £305,168.
Jewellery Quarter
Located within Birmingham’s city centre, Jewellery Quarter is one of Europe’s biggest business centres. The 264-acre area encompasses over 800 businesses and was responsible for producing more than 40 percent of the jewellery made in the country as of 2013. Jewellery Quarter also presents an array of residential properties that appeal to businessmen, young professionals, and individuals who appreciate the dynamism of city life.
The area emerged as a result of Birmingham prospering due to the Industrial Revolution to keep up with the growing demand for jewellery. Now, besides being steeped in the jewellery-making industry, Jewellery Quarter is also known for its bohemian spirit, having enticed countless creatives over the years. In addition to jewellery shops, pubs, charming eateries, fine dining restaurants, and vintage stores reside here.
Thronged with businesses and attracting younger crowds, Jewellery Quarter’s real estate sector is mainly characterised by flats and luxury apartments, with a handful of terraced properties. On average, flats in Jewellery Quarter cost around £200,000, while terraced residences can fetch over £600,000.
Digbeth
Digbeth is Birmingham’s creative capital, brimming with artists, creative start-ups, whimsical cafes, and offbeat leisure venues. Dating to the 7th century, Digbeth was one of the first areas to become urbanised during the Industrial Revolution. As such, the place is thronged with countless listed buildings steeped in early modern history.
A flourish of unique establishments, restored Victorian factories house charming cafes, arts venues, restaurants, and independent stores. Digbeth was rightly named the 'Coolest Neighbourhood in Britain' by the Sunday Times. The area also has a range of primary and secondary schools with an outstanding rating from Ofsted, in addition to modern co-working and office spaces.
Digbeth’s real estate experienced a price growth of 401 percent in the last 20 years, exemplifying its immense investment potential. The average cost of homes in Digbeth is around £173,438.
Moseley
Moseley is a vibrant suburb located three miles from the city centre, known for its convivial social scene. The region dates back to the 11th century, but the present-day locale developed around a Victorian market area known as the Moseley Village. Most of the area was developed in the 20th century upon vast parklands, with large homes for Edwardian middle-class families who wanted to move to the suburbs after the Industrial Revolution.
Today, Moseley is an affluent bohemian haunt with a colourful arts scene and a trove of fun leisurely activities. There’s a famous weekly farmer’s market, the annual Moseley Festival, the evergreen Moseley Park and its tranquil lake, and the market square presenting an eclectic range of one-off shops and boutiques. In addition to these recreational avenues, there are several primary schools with excellent Ofsted ratings and a handful of reputed secondary schools. Performance venues and art centres are also in abundance.
Here, the real estate sector is diverse, comprising historic large homes, apartments, flats, and commercial properties. An expensive neighbourhood, homes in Moseley typically fetch around £320,813.
Harborne
Harborne is a suburb sprawling south-western Birmingham. Like many of the aforementioned locales, present-day Harborne developed in the Victorian era, with roots in the Roman period.
Harborne is a quiet and leafy enclave tucked away from Birmingham’s built-up areas. The neighbourhood presents an elevated country life, with its designer store-lined high streets and charming early modern brick buildings. Picturesque nature trails and mediaeval churches are the neighbourhood’s most valuable features. Moreover, the area is well served by public transport facilities, with the city centre a mere 30-minute bus ride away. Esteemed primary schools round off Harborne as a holistic residential suburb.
With an enviable blend of bucolic quietude and metropolitan bustle, homes in Harborne fetch around £325,000.
Stirchley
Perched on the River Rea, Stirchley is a suburb in southwestern Birmingham. It was reported by the BBC as a “fantastic place” for its acclaimed community spirit – this laudable feature by the news organisation came after the Sunday Times called it the best place to live in the Midlands. The present-day settlement dates back to the 17th century.
Regarded as an “up-and-coming” area, Stirchley offers incredible investment opportunities, especially in the realm of business. Countless independent shops and small businesses thrive here, from baked goods and breweries to bars and restaurants. The neighbourhood also benefits from a convenient location and well-connected transport links, being situated close to the city centre and Bourneville.
Abounding with quality amenities and fruitful opportunities, real estate is booming here. Homes in Stirchley command on average around £246,000.
With its thriving economy, vibrant social landscape, and welcoming culture, Birmingham brims with potential in most aspects. Packed to capacity with opportunities – and rivalling a global capital like London – Birmingham is well served by an enviable, high-quality life. Whether it’s the upscale country living of Edgbaston or the business prospects of Jewellery Quarter, these are some of the best areas to live in Birmingham.
