Single Mum moving to Birmingham

[lauramanchester]

Hi
I'm a single mum with a toddler, my family live in worcestershire, so I want to move closer to them. However I don't want to move to their town because it's small and I grew up there, and don't want to go back. LOL.
Anyway I was thinking South Birmingham, and was wondering if anyone can recommend areas. I was looking around selly oak, Bourneville area. So any tips on places close to that, where there are good schools/nurseries, parks, local amenities.

I don't know anyone in South Birmingham so would love to make new friends there, and I'm looking to move in Easter 2013.

Tips please mummies. xxxx

[hmaners]

we're also looking to move to south birmingham and have just started researching areas. we are an expat couple (my husband is greek and i am american) so i feel a little overwhelmed with the amount of postcodes to research. im going to look into the areas that you are interested in, as we also have a young toddler and i trust you would know good areas to raise a family. but if anyone else can contribute, would very much appreciate it as my question is the same as yours.

[lauramanchester]

oooh hmaners are you in uk already then or not? I'm going to birmingham on 15th december to have a look at areas. My mum knows all of Birmingham well, so she's advising me a lot, but want to be sure she doesn't send me to somewhere that has changed recently, due to students or something.
when are you looking at moving there? would be great to keep in contact so we could meet up when we are both there x

[hmaners]

would love that, i will be leaving a well established mums group here and desperate for friends I think. So no, not yet in the UK. Most likely we are moving after xmas but could be pushed out to the spring...not sure yet. why are you choosing south birmingham? ive been looking at four oaks, sutton, solihull even though i know they are expensive areas just seems to be the most highly recommended. yes lets please stay in touch, and do let me know how your trip is and what areas you found the most attractive. how old is your toddler btw? mine is 18 months now and loves animals, parks, and sing song groups (what toddler doesnt love these things). hoping to find similar activities for her there!

[lauramanchester]

Hiya, that's great then we'll keep in contact. I'm looking at south birmingham because its 30 mins from my parents house, whereas north is about an hour. Solihull is lovely, as is sutton coldfield, but I want something closer to city centre as I'm planning on working in the city centre and will want to use the bus instead of driving everyday. I'm used to city living, as I'm close to manchester city centre now, and I love proximity to parks, shops, toddler groups etc.

[lauramanchester]

My toddler is 30 months old, and in love with all toddler groups, ballet, swimming, playgroup, farms, parks etc.

[costumequeen]

Check out Kings Heath, Stirchley, Selly Park, Bournville, Moseley. Greay schools, parks, toddler groups, busy high st in KH and various cafes, restaurants and bars. There's a real mix of property price brackets, but broadly speaking safe and friendly parts of Brum!

[TheCollieDog]

I used to live in Bournville, although not with young DC. Excellent public transport both bus and train, and very quiet and sage (too quiet according to DS!). Bournville is not all Bournville Village Trust, but if you can get a BVT property to rent they are apparently excellent landlords (but I bought not rent). The whole of Bournville is dry the Cadburys are Quakers but that's what makes it so nice & quiet & safe. My NDN say that the local schools are very good even the primary in Cotteridge, which is a bit more of a sketchy suburb. But South Birmingham is overall an OK place to live: lots of green space, trees, good public transport, and close to the city from Bournville to New Street is just under 15 minutes on the cross-city line.

[OliviaMumsnet]

And do also check out our new MN Local

[Flossiechops]

I would third Cotteridge and Bournville having loved in both those areas. There's also Harborne which is very nice. Bournville would be my first choice though, lots of lovely houses with a quaint feel, the local school are great too with fast links into the city centre. I bought my first house in kings Heath and am not so keen to be honest, quite built up and hemmed in iykwim. Good luck with the hunting :)

[lauramanchester]

Well thanks very much for all your help. I've decided on Northfield/Rubery area. I've put my forms in at the letting agency for a house I like, so currently waiting to see if I get it.
Looks like I'll be moving in January. So excited for this big change.
hmaners.... have you got any closer to chosing an area?