Living in Birmingham

Thinking of moving to Birmingham? The UK’s ‘Second City’ combines rich industrial heritage with world-class cultural and educational institutions, diverse communities and excellent transport links at the heart of England.

Where is Birmingham?

Birmingham is located in the West Midlands and near the geographic centre of England. The UK’s second-largest city sits at the crossing points of the national railway and motorway systems, making it remarkably accessible – 90% of the UK can be reached within four hours.

The city encompasses diverse areas from the historic Jewellery Quarter and Edgbaston to Moseley, Harborne and Sutton Coldfield, each with its own distinct character. Birmingham’s central location has made it a major hub for business, culture and education.

Is Birmingham a nice place to live?

Birmingham offers the vibrancy of a major city combined with surprisingly green spaces – it has over 8,000 acres of parks, making it one of the UK’s greenest cities. With almost 40% of the population under 25, it’s also Europe’s youngest major city.

The city attracts residents for various reasons. Five universities make it the largest centre of higher education outside London, while its cultural institutions enjoy international reputations. Birmingham is also one of the UK’s most multicultural cities, which contributes to its renowned international food scene.

What is Birmingham famous for?

Birmingham earned its reputation as the ‘Workshop of the World’ during the Industrial Revolution. The city was home to pioneering inventors such as James Watt (steam engine), Matthew Boulton and William Murdock, making it the first manufacturing town in the world.

The city’s heritage includes producing three-quarters of the world’s pen nibs in 1875, while the Jewellery Quarter still produces a large proportion of all UK jewellery today. Birmingham’s industrial legacy extends to the anchor of the Titanic and the FA Cup, both made here, while the first football league started in the city.

Beyond industry, Birmingham has strong cultural connections. J.R.R. Tolkien grew up in Kings Heath, with The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings inspired by local places – visitors can follow the Tolkien Trail through Moseley. The city is also home to Cadbury World, the internationally famous chocolate factory in Bournville.

Things to do in Birmingham

Birmingham’s cultural offering rivals any UK city outside London. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra performs at Symphony Hall and is considered one of the world’s finest concert halls. The Birmingham Hippodrome is the UK’s busiest theatre with over 500,000 annual visitors, while Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Repertory Theatre enjoy international reputations.

The Bullring & Grand Central shopping centre is one of the UK’s top three shopping destinations, while the historic Jewellery Quarter offers independent boutiques. The city hosts over 50 festivals every year, from Birmingham Mela to the Moseley Folk Festival.

For history enthusiasts, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery houses the world’s largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. The Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest regional library, cost £189 million to build. Aston Hall, a Jacobean mansion dating from the 17th century, and the historic canals (Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice) provide glimpses into the city’s past.

What is the transport like in Birmingham?

Birmingham New Street is the busiest train station in the UK outside London. The station connects Birmingham to London Euston in around one hour 20 minutes, with HS2 set to reduce this to just 49 minutes when Birmingham Curzon Street opens.

The city sits at the heart of the motorway network, with the M6, M5, M42 and M6 Toll all converging here. Birmingham International Airport, the UK’s third largest outside of London, handled a record 12.4 million passengers in 2024.

Local transport includes the West Midlands Metro tram system and comprehensive bus networks operated by National Express West Midlands that cover the wider region.

Schools in Birmingham

Birmingham offers extensive educational choice across state and independent sectors. The city is home to several grammar schools and numerous schools rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Notable independent schools include King Edward’s School, founded in 1552, and King Edward VI High School for Girls.

The University of Birmingham, Aston University, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham and Newman University make the city the largest centre of higher education in the country outside London, with students from all over the world studying here.

Is Birmingham safe?

Birmingham is policed by West Midlands Police. The city has a crime rate of around 121 crimes per 1,000 people. Crime levels vary significantly across different areas of the city, with central wards experiencing higher rates than outer suburbs. Detailed local crime statistics are available on police.uk for those wanting to review specific data.

What are the average property prices in Birmingham?

House prices in Birmingham have an overall average of £254,580 over the last year. Most properties sold were terraced houses, which netted an average price of £230,067. Semi-detached properties fetched an average of £279,172, with flats selling for £163,873.

Overall, sold prices in Birmingham over the last year were 1% up on the previous year and 3% up on the 2022 peak of £247,721. Property prices vary considerably across the city, with areas like Edgbaston, Harborne and Sutton Coldfield commanding premium prices, while other areas offer more affordable options.

FAQs

• How far is Birmingham from London?
  Around 120 miles, with trains taking around 1 hour 20 minutes to London Euston. HS2 will reduce this to 49 minutes when Birmingham Curzon Street opens.
• Is Birmingham good for commuters?
  Excellent transport links via Birmingham New Street station, the motorway network and Birmingham International Airport make it ideal for commuting across the UK and internationally.
• Is Birmingham a good student city?
  Yes. As the largest centre of higher education outside London with five universities, Birmingham offers diverse student accommodation, a vibrant nightlife, over 50 annual festivals, affordable living costs compared to southern cities, and excellent transport links. Birmingham is also home to one of the youngest demographics in Europe.
• Is Birmingham good for families?
  The city offers extensive schools, parks, family attractions like Cadbury World, and diverse residential areas from leafy Edgbaston to suburban Sutton Coldfield that may appeal to families.
• Is Birmingham affordable?
  With average house prices of £254,580, Birmingham offers more affordable property than London and many southern cities.