Moving to Birmingham
Home to a vast array of culture and heritage, a rich history and more canal waterways than Venice, it’s easy to see why so many people love living in Birmingham.
Birmingham is a relatively young city in comparison to many areas of the UK, however, it has seen rapid growth in a relatively short space of time. Thrown into the pop culture spotlight recently thanks to hit show Peaky Blinders, Birmingham boasts 1,489 listed buildings, with a further 15 parks and gardens of historic interest as well as 30 conservation areas.
If you’re looking to move to the city of Birmingham, Compare My Move is here to help. As well as helping you compare the best removal companies in Birmingham our team has worked hard to bring you the best and most up to date information on living in Birmingham, from the best places to live and the best schools, to the highlights of the city.
Property in Birmingham
The average property price in Birmingham is currently £188,248, according to Zoopla, with the cost of buying a house far more reasonable than in cities further south such as London and Bristol. Rental prices are also cheaper, with the average cost of a rental property currently standing at £838 pcm. This is great news if you're moving from London to Birmingham.
According to Compare My Move data, the average house removal costs in Birmingham come to £929.45, with August being the most popular time of year to move in the city.
Birmingham boasts a large amount of Victorian terrace housing on the outskirts of the city, in areas such as Harbourne and Handsworth. These were built as a result of the increased population during the Victorian era and remain popular homes today. Furthermore, many of the red-brick factories of the industrial revolution have since been converted into modern homes.
Many homes look out onto the canals, spanning 35 miles throughout the city, with some residents even living on the canals themselves in quaint narrowboats.
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Best Areas to Live in Birmingham
To help you decide where you want to live in Birmingham, Compare My Move has researched some of the most popular areas to live in and around the city, with areas to suit professionals and families alike. From the converted, modern apartments of the Jewellery Quarter, to the family homes of Solihull.
| Area | Average Asking Price | Average Asking Rent (pcm) |
|---|---|---|
Aston | £140,563 | £572 |
Bordesley Green | £158,506 | £659 |
Jewellery Quarter | £222,981 | £817 |
Solihull | £335,011 | £879 |
Nechells | £137,494 | £1,015 |
Data was taken from Zoopla, correct as of July 2020.
1. Aston
Known for being the home of Aston Villa Football Club, Aston is an ideal place to start house hunting, with the average property price sitting at a modest £140,563. The area is home to several upgraded and refurbished terraced homes, for an increased price tag, in addition to original terraced houses and semi-detached homes to fit your budget.
2. Bordesley Green
With homes costing a little more than Aston, the area of Bordesley Green currently has an average property price of £158,506. The area is perfect for commuters, being only two miles out of Birmingham city centre.
Bordesley Green boasts a range of traditional large terraced houses, in addition to more modern and spacious semi-detached properties, depending on your tastes and the size of your household.
3. Jewellery Quarter
One of Birmingham’s protected conservation areas, there are over 8,000 people living in the historic Jewellery Quarter. This area contains Europe’s largest and best surviving group of Victorian and early 20th century buildings devoted to the manufacturing of jewellery.
Today, many of the Jewellery Quarter’s former factories and workshops have been converted into loft-style apartments and penthouses, in addition to modern bars and restaurants. The average property price for this area is £222,981, according to Zoopla.
4. Solihull
In 2013, the uSwitch Quality of Life Index awarded Solihull “the best place to live” in the UK. The area is an ideal commuter town, situated just over 7 miles from the centre of Birmingham. Being outside of the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s an area which is also suited to families. Property prices tend to be more expensive than in Birmingham, with the average price for a property in Solihull at £284,285.
5. Nechells
Compared with the Jewellery Quarter and Solihull, Nechells is a more reasonable location in the city. The average property price in the area is £137,494, making it a good area for first-time buyers. Properties include maisonettes, flats and traditional red-brick terraced housing, with a range of facilities and amenities nearby.
Schools and Education in Birmingham
Birmingham is home to many excellent education centres and is an ideal place to raise a young family or move to as a student, with plenty of options. The city is home to five Universities; Aston University, Birmingham City University, Birmingham University, Newman University and the University College Birmingham.
If you are considering moving to Birmingham with children of school age, there are a number of highly-rated schools in the area. We’ve collected some of the top Primary and Secondary schools in the tables below, showing the best Ofsted scores in the region.
The 5 Best Primary School in Birmingham
| Primary School | Location | Age | Most Recent Ofsted Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
St Matthew's CofE Primary School | Birmingham | 4 to 11 | Outstanding |
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School | Birmingham | 3 to 11 | Outstanding |
St Thomas CofE Academy | Birmingham | 3 to 11 | Outstanding |
Cronwell Junior and Infant School | Birmingham | 3 to 11 | Outstanding |
Prince Albert Junior and Infant School | Birmingham | 3 to 11 | Outstanding |
The 5 Best Secondary Schools in Birmingham
| Secondary School | Location | Age | Most Recent Ofsted Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Secondary School | Location | Age | Most Recent Ofsted Rating |
Heartlands Academy | Birmingham | 11 to 18 | Outstanding |
Aston Manor Academy | Birmingham | 11 to 18 | Outstanding |
Nishkam High School | Birmingham | 11 to 19 | Outstanding |
Ark St Alban’s Academy | Birmingham | 11 to 18 | Outstanding |
King Edward VI Aston School | Birmingham | 11 to 18 | Outstanding |
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Where to Work in Birmingham
New businesses in a number of industries have seen a rise in Birmingham as of late. Data from the Office of National Statistics revealed that there were 6,195 new businesses created in Birmingham between 2015 and 2017 that fell under the category of business administration and support services. This includes businesses such as building maintenance and car rental service.
Other industries which are reportedly doing well in the city are businesses specialising in transport and storage, with 1,840 new businesses during the period of 2015 to 2017.
However, the unemployment rate in Birmingham and the West Midlands is one of the UK’s highest. This can mean competition for work will be much higher and demand for workers in struggling industries will decrease rapidly. Depending on the sector you currently work in or are looking to join, it is worth doing research on what is available in the city.
Transport in Birmingham
For travelling and commuting in and around Birmingham, the city offers busses, trains, taxis and the West Midlands Metro trams to choose from.
You can also travel by bike in Birmingham, with the Birmingham Cycle Revolution pinpointing their favourite traffic-free city cycling routes to suit all ages and abilities. If you don’t own a bike, Brompton Bike Hire, Cycle Chain and On Your Bike offer bikes for hire.
Birmingham New Street station is at the heart of the UK rail network and a transport hub for those travelling throughout the UK, with links across the country. Birmingham airport, the third largest airport outside London, has direct flights to destinations such as New York, Dubai and Paris.
Entertainment in Birmingham
Birmingham is home to the Birmingham NEC, which has played host to worldwide music acts and is the main music venue in Birmingham. It is also home to the Bullring Shopping Centre, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, boasting both high end and high street shopping, in addition to modern chain restaurants and cafes.
The city also boasts a ten-level Library which includes the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, seating 300 people. The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is situated in a Grade II listed builds and offers over 40 galleries
For a family day out, head to Cadbury World where you can see how the chocolate is made, ride the Crunchie Rollercoaster and take part in the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience.
For a more laid-back day out, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers four stunning glasshouses, home to plants from the tropical rainforest to the Arid desert. In addition to stunning grounds, there is a playground for children and a tearoom for refreshments.
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Crime in Birmingham
Due to the nature of a large city, Birmingham experiences relatively high crime rates. Compared to the national crime rate, the crime rate in Birmingham is at 114%, with violent crimes making up 33.3% of crime. The total number of reported violent crimes is 69.1K, a number which has increased by 16.1% year-on-year comparing the period of June 2019 to May 2020.
Public order crime was the fastest growing crime in the city, increasing by 20.1% over the last 12 months. Vehicle crime, the third-largest crime type in the city, made up 9.1% of all crimes, followed by burglary at 7.3% and criminal damage at 6.9%.
However, robbery crime has decreased for the period of June 2019 to May 2020, down 14.7%. Burglary has also decreased, down 25.4% in the same time frame. Criminal damage and arson crime rates have decreased by 15.5%, with vehicle crime dropping by 20.8% over the period of June 2019 to May 2020.
Moving to Birmingham with Compare My Move
If you are moving to or within the city of Birmingham, be sure to compare removal costs of verified removal companies, surveyors and conveyancers with Compare My Move. Save both time and up to 70% by comparing quotes from our trusted partners.
