Whilst we love to start an article with ‘this just in’, we have to be honest; this isn’t a recent development. Last August, following the first wave of the UK’s coronavirus crisis, the Mayor of London’s office published the findings of a survey which found that half of Londoners wanted to move out of the city, citing ‘’Financial uncertainty, the cost of moving and the location of work’’ as primary drivers in their decision.
In recent years, Birmingham has been the top choice for those wanting to move out of the city, and it’s easy to see why. From its relatively lost cost of living to its increasingly exciting foodie scene, fantastic nightlife, and excellent transport links both to the north and the south, Birmingham is perfectly poised in more ways than one.
If you’re contemplating upping sticks and settling down somewhere fresh, vibrant and exciting, then Brum’ might be for you. If you’re thinking about moving to Birmingham, here are 6 tips for first timers.
WHERE TO LIVE
Whether you’re looking for city centre living, suburban settlin’ or even a little countryside tranquility, Birmingham has something for everyone. Exploring Birmingham’s ‘burbs is essential before you decide where to settle, since each offers something a little different.
Explore you shall, right now. Here’s an overview of some of the best places to settle:
Mosely: Back in 2015, Mosely won the award for best place to live in the UK for city living. As reported in the Guardian, “judges commended it’s “village community””, also commending the pubs and parks in the area.
Perhaps Mosely’s biggest asset is it’s 215 acre green space, Cannon Hill Park, which boasts lakes and gardens designed in the Victorian era. The suburb also plays host to our favourite restaurant in the city (you’ll have to keep reading to find out where).
Sutton Coldfield: According to Birmingham Live, “The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield has long been one of the most sought after suburbs in Birmingham”.
Lying around 7 miles north east of Birmingham centre, it’s a peaceful, private place to settle, and is home to Sutton Park, which is one of England’s largest urban parks. It’s also home to some of the most affluent streets in the country, with property prices to match.
Harborne: To the southwest of Birmingham you’ll find Harborne, which according to BCU is “the type of place where you’re never too far from a duck pond and most importantly a pint stop and seriously tasty grub.”
The high street is home to Harborne Food School, a fantastic string of independent shops and some of Birmingham’s best gastropubs; the New Inn and the Plough are two of our favourites.
Harborne also has one of the finest neighbourhood restaurants anyone could wish for, the Harborne Kitchen, which serves supremely light, flavoursome dishes.
Edgbaston: Directly to the east of Harbone is Edgbaston, an affluent suburban area of central Birmingham known for its leafy, winding roads and large houses. The perfect place to settle with the family, we think.
Bournville: Yes, this is the place where Bournville chocolate was born and just like its namesake, this is one sweet area to live. Sorry. Originally founded by the Quaker Cadbury family for employees at its Cadbury’s factory, today this area is blessed with some fantastic green spaces, particularly the Village Green, Bournville Park and Rowheath Pavilion’s playing fields.
Bournville is also home to some amazing architecture and just to the north of the area, Selly Oak is home to lots of student housing and affordable family homes.
It’s for you to decide whether you can resist the easy excuse to eat chocolate everyday if you choose to live here!
King’s Heath & Balsall Heath
Other popular areas to live include King’s Heath and a little to the north, Balsall Heath, the former of which has been touted as “Birmingham’s very own mini-version of a trendy London borough.” The Heath’s Bristol Road and Pershore Road give easy access to the city centre.
MAKE USE OF THE TRAM
Birmingham boasts a brilliant network of public transport, including buses, trams and trains. The tram, or The Midland Metro, as its known, is brilliant for commuters. Running every 6-8 minutes, it and connects Wolverhampton to Birmingham City Centre and provides links to the main shopping, business and residential areas.
If you want to drive in Birmingham but your new house doesn’t have a driveway, then you must apply for a residents parking permit. The first permit for each household is £19 and additional permits are £38 (subject to availability).
Empire, who offer van hire in Birmingham, tell us that traffic can get pretty chockablock. In fact, it’s the third most congested city in the UK, outside of London. Oh, and should you wish to hire a van to help you move, Empire offer cheap rates.
CONSIDER LIFE ON THE CANAL
Alternatively, have you ever considered living on a canal boat? It’s actually rumoured that Birmingham has more canals than Venice. Fact check alert – technically, this is being a little liberal with the ol’ truth, as the exact number depends on where you draw the city’s boundaries. Nonetheless, canal living in the city has its own culture and charm, and represents a far cheaper option than those high city-centre rental and house prices.
What is true is that Brum has one of the most intricate canal networks in the world. If you’re looking to experience life on the water here, then you can explore the 35 miles of canal network on narrowboats or even on foot; there are pathways alongside the majority of the routes. Even if you don’t decide to live on a canal boat, you’ll have got a much keener measure of the layout and soul of the city by traversing its waters.
GET TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE CITY
If you truly want to understand this new place you’re hoping to call home, then you should first get familiar with the history of the city.
A good place to start is the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG). Housed in a Grade II* listed city centre landmark building, here you can explore the city’s heritage and travel back in time all the way to the Second City’s medieval beginnings. A prominent permanent history collection here is ‘Birmingham: its people, its history’, and is well worth a look.
Don’t stop there. There are a few historic walking tours of the city showcasing the heritage of this great place. Or, another more novel way to get to know Brum is by going on a Peaky Blinders tour, which will take you back to Victoria times via the streets of Birmingham. Floppy caps are optional.
And while we’re going on tours, taking one of the Cadbury factory is a must. Cadbury’s chocolate is Birmingham’s homegrown pride and joy, and this fun themed day trip is the perfect outing for chocoholics and history buffs alike. With experiences ranging from a nostalgic gallery of Cadbury’s classic advertising campaigns over the years to a chocolate tasting adventure, this is a unique way to explore the living history of a much-loved brand. And how often do you get the chance to jump out of an Easter egg? Not often, we’re guessing.
EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE CITY
You can’t truly get under the skin of a place until you’ve eaten your way through it. Such a statement provides the perfect excuse to explore Birmingham’s thriving, diverse food scene…mind if we join you?
When it comes to Indian food, Birmingham does arguably the best stuff outside the South Asian subcontinent. There’s no better place to begin your adventure into all things curry, spice, rice and naan (disclaimer: other dishes do exist) than the Balti Triangle. This concerted cluster of curry houses along Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane and Stratford Road is world famous for the quality and authenticity of the food within.
If you’re looking for an upmarket interpretation of Birmingham’s unique curry culture, then chef Aktar Islam’s Michelin-starred Opheem is one of our favourite restaurants anywhere in the country; just superb.
Then you have Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter, just a short walk from the city’s New Street Station. In this expansive Chinatown, some of it undercover, you’ll find superb regional Chinese food. Some of the best restaurants here include Chung Ying Cantonese, famed for its soft shell crab, and Peach Garden, who do a fantastic roast duck and are known for hosting the best Birmingham Christmas parties in the city; just look for the burnished birds hanging in the window, which can feel very festive come December time!
Birmingham’s fine dining scene is also super exciting right now, with several Michelin stars in the city. Our pick of the bunch has to be Carters of Moseley, in, you guessed it, Moseley.
Here, loveable chef Brad Carter serves up a sustainably sourced, ultra modern, hyper-seasonal tasting menu, with dishes defined by their deceptive simplicity. All wines are biodynamic, and the restaurant’s drinks menu (and soundtrack!) is super funky and inventive. If you’re to book a table to consummate your marriage with the city, make it here.
WATCH & LISTEN TO THESE PROGRAMS
If you’re keen to learn more about the city passively, without having to read more words (hey, did we do something wrong?), then are several TV programmes and podcasts which will enlighten you on Birmingham’s diverse history and culture. Here’s just a few we’re currently tuned in to:
The First Black Brummies (Factual) – Poet Sue Brown looks at what life was like in the post-war years for Birmingham’s Caribbean community as they asked questions about their own identity and place in British society.
Birmingham’s Beloved Balti (factual) – Food writer Yasmin Khan explores British-Pakistani food stories as she charts the rise and fall of Birmingham’s Balti Triangle.
Citizen Khan (Fiction) – Sitcom following the trials and tribulations of self-appointed Muslim community leader Mr. Khan. The shows gives a lighthearted view on the diverse cultures of Birmingham which make the city so special.
Peaky Blinders (Fiction) – We couldn’t not mention Peaky Blinders. Set in 1920s Birmingham, this hugely popular British crime drama follows the Shelbys, a family gang of the same name, and has contributed to a huge rise in publicity for the city in recent years.
Also check out some of the best podcasts recorded in Birmingham, covering current and cultural affairs in the city. Mark Steadman’s (via Podchaser) extensive list of podcasts produced in Birmingham is a great place to start.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A global pandemic and the increasingly prohibitive prices of the city have caused many Londoners to consider upping sticks and moving on. If you were wondering whether Birmingham can fulfil your desire for a fresh start, we hope you leave this page a little more enlightened.