The Best Areas to Live in Birmingham

Whether you prefer to be surrounded by lush green spaces or buzzing bars and cafes, there’s something to suit everyone in the UK’s second city. Check out our guide to the best areas in Birmingham to live to help you narrow down your search for the perfect property.
 

1 – Digbeth

If you’re looking to buy your first home in Birmingham, Digbeth could be the perfect choice. Once home to the headquarters of Typhoo Tea, Digbeth was an industrial hub thanks to its proximity to both the Grand Union Canal and Digbeth Branch Canal. Today, the area is a hub for the creative industry, with The Custard Factory and Fazeley Studios both hosting a huge variety of digital and cultural businesses.

Digbeth is a showcase of both Birmingham’s past and future, with modern apartments built into the area’s old warehouses, and a melting pot of cultures making it one of the city’s most vibrant places to live.
 

2 – Erdington

Situated five miles northeast of the city centre, Erdington has to be one of the best places to live in and around Birmingham. Erdington has a rich past dating back to the 9th century when it was established after settlers travelled up the River Tame from Tamworth. Famous for Spaghetti Junction, this is a very well-connected city suburb, with easy motorway access, great bus links and a railway station on the Cross City Line.
 

3 – Edgbaston

Edgbaston is one of the most affluent areas in Birmingham, well-known for its green spaces and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. It’s also the perfect location for sports fans: the area is home to Edgbaston Cricket Ground, one of England’s premier cricket venues, as well as the oldest lawn tennis club in the world, the Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society. There are plenty of other attractions for those not interested in sports, including the pretty Victorian campus of Birmingham University and multiple Michelin-starred restaurants.
 

4 – Harborne

Harborne is a Victorian suburb, around three miles southwest from the city centre. The area has a long history, with the first written mention of Harborne in the Domesday Book of 1086. Today, Harborne is one of the best places to live in Birmingham for families, thanks to its proximity to the city centre, leafy parks, nature walks, and excellent primary and secondary schools.
 

5 – Holloway Head

Holloway Head is the perfect choice for those who want to buy a brand-new property in the bustling heart of Birmingham. Once a derelict 1.3 acre plot, vacant for 25 years, the regeneration of Holloway Head is creating nearly 500 desirable new apartments in the city centre. Perfect for young professionals, these plush apartments are just a 10-minute walk from Birmingham New Street station.
 

6 – Jewellery Quarter

Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is a historic part of the city, more usually associated with commerce, but in recent years, it’s become known as an up-and-coming residential area. The JQ has been a hub for the jewellery trade for hundreds of years and is still responsible for producing 40% of all jewellery made in the UK. It’s also a thriving cultural hub – a city-centre location with a village community spirit – with a plethora of independent coffee shops, sports facilities and museums.
 

7 – Moseley and Kings Heath

Moseley is one of Birmingham’s most sought-after areas, located within the Moseley and Kings Heath ward of the city. Named as the ‘best urban area to live’ in 2015 by The Sunday Times, Moseley is famed for its Victorian architecture, monthly award-winning farmer’s market and summer Moseley Festival. There are plenty of independent bars, restaurants and cafes, as well as a community development trust which is investing in the environment and green spaces of the region.
 

8 – Solihull

Located 7.5 miles southeast of Birmingham, Solihull offers the best of both worlds for the perfect juxtaposition of city and country living. With several top-rated schools, Solihull is an ideal location for families, and with over 1,500 acres of parks, there are plenty of green spaces to keep the kids entertained as well. With easy transport links into Birmingham, it’s a great choice for commuters and what’s more, Birmingham Airport is located in Solihull, making national and international getaways a breeze.