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Moving to Birmingham from the States

9 replies

SqrlBuny77 · 23/05/2018 14:52

Hello! We are moving from the Midwest to the Midlands in the fall. It looks my DH's office is approx 3miles south of the New Street Station (25 min bus ride). I will probably attend Univ of Birmingham to continue my grad studies while caring for our DDs (9 and 4 by September).
I don't want to live in Birmingham and would be open to a village outside the city with a good train line. DH is also open to a commute (no more than one hour)
We will rent for the first yearbudget 1300-1500but will increase for a great primary school that feeds into a great secondary school (I am not sure if that is how schools work in the UK)
Most important thing is to be within catchment area for schools --would love to walk DD's to school and then walk to train.

Also, open to any advice if I am going about this the wrong way.

Thanks!

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123bananas · 23/05/2018 14:57

I don't know Birmingham well, but others might.

This article might be useful.

Also check on //www.rightmove.co.uk you can see schools and rental prices by area.

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SqrlBuny77 · 23/05/2018 15:09

Thanks! The article is very helpful.

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KingsHeathen · 23/05/2018 17:23

Hi sqrl, could I ask where he'll be based, as what "looks" like 25 minute bus ride can take hours in reality- such as tonight, when hagley Rd has been shut and it's gridlock. It took me 20mins to go 500yards.

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KingsHeathen · 23/05/2018 17:25

Anyway, for university you'll need to be near the cross city railway line, so bournville, cotteridge/kings Norton, Northfield, barnt green are your best bets.
When you say 'village' how small do you mean?

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CMOTDibbler · 23/05/2018 17:30

It will depend on exactly where he is working, but Bromsgrove has a great trainline to the university (13min ride) or into the city centre, or Droitwich?

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SqrlBuny77 · 23/05/2018 19:02

I am not sure where he will be based, I just know his office is 3.5 miles from the station. Sounds like traffic could be bad (we are used to that Grin...he may consider driving to the station?

I currently live in a small town with a pop. of approx. 77k people. It is 35 min from a major city, so I don't want anything too rural. I'd like a place with decent shops...a bookstore, a library...someplace to take my DDs for kid-friendly activities. I would prefer to not have to drive everywhere. I think living in a place with a 1000 people might take some getting used to, so nothing too small.

I looked at the Ofsted reports and it seems there are great schools in Warwick, Temple Grafton, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Alcester. They seem a bit further out, but if I'd like to avoid moving my girls too many times.

I am not expecting this to be anything like where we currently live. I realize I will have to make some compromises, maybe a longer commute to school. Just want to make sure my kids are well adjusted as this may turn out to be a permanent move for our family.

Thanks everyone!

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CMOTDibbler · 23/05/2018 19:58

Stratford or Alcester (and I love Alcester) would be a nightmare to get to the uni from, though Alcester might be a reasonable drive for your DH depending on exactly where he'll be.

Unless you could continue your studies at Warwick uni? You'd have to drive, but it's not bad from Alcester.

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KingsHeathen · 23/05/2018 22:04

You'd need somewhere of a pretty decent size to have a book shop and a library!
3.5 miles south of new street is a long way out of the centre, so a train commute isn't necessarily the best option for him, anyway.
What is your subject? Warwick is a good university too.

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SqrlBuny77 · 23/05/2018 22:56

My goal is an MARes in French followed by a PhD. I will look into Warwick University, I just hadn't heard of it until you mentioned.

DH might have to drive. Smile

We shall see, but I am reviewing the Solihull council website and the Warwick website. Still trying to wrap my head around the school admission requirements.

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