Moving to Solihull, help please!

[lilyblue82]

Hello gorgeous mumsnetters,

My husband and I (with our 6yo and 4yo) have decided to look for properties in Solihull for our next move from London.

He will work at the University of Birmingham and I will commute to London once a week.

We don't know where to start! We have a budget of £550k (ideally looking for a 4 bed) and we would like to find an area with good state schools (primary and secondary). My worry is also for my 6yo because he is going to be a late comer.

What are the good areas? What are the areas to avoid?

Thank you so much!

Val

[JustHappy3]

Nightmare commute to Birmingham from Solihull. Very slow.
Lots of uni and hospital staff follow the train line out from University Station until it gets to the leafy suburbs: Barnt Green, Alvechurch, Bromsgrove.
There's a lot live in Edgbaston and Harborne too - but i find it a lot like Balham.
Moseley also v nice but not great public transport wise.
Chiltern Line (Warwick Parkway) is a helluva lot nicer and cheaper commute than bham int.
PM me if you want more info.

[BackforGood]

Was going to say the same as JustHappy.
I wouldn't want to commute from Solihull in to the University.
Look at the cross City Line.
Nice properties in Bournville for that budget, or head on further out to Barnt Green / Lickey / Blackwell / Alvechurch

[Sparklingbrook]

I also don't think Solihull would be your best bet.

You can get to the University by train from Worcester even.

[NannyOggsKnickers]

I’m going to go against the grain and say the commute would be fine. It depends high end of Solihull you choose. You could even look at Knowledge and Dorridge which have excellent school and more of a village atmosphere but are close enough to Solihull to shop.

Or you could try Henley. Which is gorgeous and because of the roads, weirdly the same commuting time. I used to commute the same route and it would take me about 45 mins in the morning.

[NannyOggsKnickers]

I meant Knowle. Stupid auto correct.

[Girlwhowearsglasses]

Knowle and Dorridge have very good state
Schools and a train into Birmingham. Arden is the kind of school people move into the catchment of.

I’m from that area, the countryside is lovely (canals, Shakespeare). It’s not the most diverse place but there is a good choice of housing. For a family it’s a great place to live

[Sparklingbrook]

I quite liked 'Knowledge and Dorridge'.

These are all blasts from the past for me before I emigrated 3/4 of an hour South in the early nineties. Things may be very different now TBF.

[NannyOggsKnickers]

Yes, both Arden and Dorridge Junior school are very good. There’s also a couple of private schools in the area if that’s your thing.

[JustHappy3]

Yes - but it's still a rubbish commute to get to University (not just new street) from knowle dorridge.

[NannyOggsKnickers]

It’s actually a fairly easy drive. I used to do it all the time from Dorridge to the university.

[AC14MUZ]

I grew up in Barnt Green, I'd vote for Harborne or Edgebaston especially given working at the Uni and a commute to London! If I ever moved back to Birmingham I'd look around those two areas. Good luck!

[Bluesheep8]

I spent the early part of my childhood in knowle and think it's lovely whenever I've been back to visit. I would definitely advise you to look there.

[Latitia]

Solihull to the university is fine. I did it for 5 years through my undergrad and my masters. Busy but no different to any other commute! Nothing like London rush hour either. Solihull is lovely.

[namechange123779]

Solihull to the uni is a good commute, you can also use Hampton train line or Birmingham international easily, knowle, Dorridge & Bentley Heath offer a great family environment, good schools & strong sense of community also international to London is 1 hour & 10 min. I personally prefer the chiltern line as not as busy! Good luck! X

[sproutsandparsnips]

Many moons ago I lived in Solihull and went to school opposite uni. We had a school bus (but I don't know if general public allowed in it now - they were then) or 3 regular buses away.
Olton is a bit closer and some nice areas/houses.
Not a bad place - my parents still live there.

[Missmarplesknitting]

Chances of getting into knowle or dorridge juniors small unless you are in catchment before starting. Lovely villages, secondary is great.

Agree with others that the drive to Brum uni from Solihull is vile. You may be better off looking at the alvechurch/bourneville route out the city. Studley, Wythall etc.

Lived and taught in Solihull for years, can tell you lots about the schools but tbh I'd not do that drive to the uni from there.