Possibly moving from London to Birmingham, need some help/advice

[Samsan1]

Hello everyone

So we need to move house because we need more rooms, we currently live in London bordering Surrey, would ideally love to move to Surrey but can't afford that. So the choice is between Crawley, Horley, redhill or Birmingham or close to Birmingham. Basically the areas above we could get a 3 bed but need a 4 bed so would need to do a loft conversation which of course is I'll cost a lot, which is one of the reasons we are planning on moving towards Birmingham as we can get 4/5 bedrooms in the same price.
I'm still a bit unsure weather to move to Birmingham as I just fear I might regret it. The area I live in has had many stabbings lately so I do want to move, do you guys think I'm crazy to leave London for Birmingham? Which of the areas above would you do?
Also what are the good areas in Birmingham? From what I've read south is good as well as Sutton Coldfield is this correct? I want excellent primary and secondary schools and a move family area. I'm trying to
Narrow down areas so we can head up there to check out houses, schools is the number 1 priority.
Also any other suggestions for areas outside Birmingham would be considered.
Sorry for the long post
Thanks

Bromsgrove, Knowle and Dorridge

Backforgood thanks that helps a lot very in-depth

Missmarplesknittimg my husband mentioned Banbury too, will check it, is it a small village? We don't want rural as we are from a very busy area so don't think we will cope
Well 🙈will check Warwick too.
How is Coventry ?

Gardengeek hehe, where do you live currently then

The house in Erdington are not in the catchment for an outstanding Sutton school even though they are close to Sutton
To be guaranteed a place at one of the Sutton secondary schools you have to be in their small catchment areas or if you children are gifted at gymnastics or dancing etc I believe Fairfax do an entry for that but I don't know if the do it after year 7

Gardengeek hehe, where do you live currently then

Peanitbear, thanks I thought that might be the case, do you know the new builds in erdington I'm talking about them? Are they in a good area? I assumed it would be as it seems to be bordering Sutton but not sure

Peanitbear, thanks I thought that might be the case, do you know the new builds in erdington I'm talking about them? Are they in a good area? I assumed it would be as it seems to be bordering Sutton but not sure

Banbury is a small town in North Oxfordshire, well connected with trains into London or Birmingham. Similarly Bicester is further into Oxfordshire but lots of new builds.

Not sure you'll get a 4 bed for £300k though.

Your best bet in terms of transport and schools is Knowle/Dorridge (Arden secondary) or Solihull (in the Tudor Grange secondary catchment) but you are looking at £400k really house wise absolute minimum.

You'd get a 4 bed around Warwick for £400k too but not necessarily new build. Lovely town, schools are good, option of grammar in Stratford too.

Otherwise Bromsgrove or Redditch but not so great on train links.

Coventry is... not very glamorous. I think it’s got a nice feel to it, but that might be because it reminds me of the fairly scruffy northern town where I grew up!
Warwick is lovely (but expensive!) and Banbury is quite a long commute into Birmingham.
Have a look at Alvechurch or Redditch as both are on a regular train line into town. Droitwich Spa might be worth a look too.

Most of the 'nicer areas' in Birmingham have not so nice areas very near by or pockets of deprivation, Kings Heath for example. Plus traffic is horrendous. I'd personally steer clear of Birmingham its self altogether. Go to Solihull (not north), Knowle or Dorridge, much better schools, great transport links (max 15 min on train in to centre of Birmingham) and good bars/pubs restaurants and shopping locally.

Ok Warwick definitely isn't busy unless you count the castle.

You may be better with Kings Heath or Moseley or similar if you want that London feel.

Green leafy suburban then Solihull/Sutton Coldfield/Knowle & Dorridge

If you want nice provincial town then Warwick/Leamington/Banbury are ideal.

I’ve just had a nosey at Harborne on RM and you need a higher budget unless you compromise and look at older houses, some stunning ones! Moseley has been voted best family friendly city area for families a few times. Coventry, only visited for work and always pleased to leave. Only visited the centre though so sure someone living there will know the nice areas.

Missmarplesknitting thanks so much for the in depth detail, I'm going to sit down and check through these places, although nothing on zoopla for knowle or dorrige, might have to ring local estate agents .

ToftheB and babybaby11 thank you I'll check through your suggestions

Check out evesham as it has brilliant schools and houses in your price range. Not quite a buzzing city but still a reasonable market town very close to Birmingham

Ginorchoc I've seen moseley has been voted just need to know about schools on the area.

Solittletime, will definitely check thanks

I love Evesham but it is very much a provincial, pretty town. Countryside around is gorgeous, but it's definitely not London feel. I'd happily live there but I only do London for a weekend

Depends what you want? London buzz or pretty market towns?

Missmarplesknitting I think more London feel.

Ok, so this sits in plum school catchment and walkable to Dorridge station. Needs updating.

Knowle has a super little high street and is very 'naice' indeed.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64547146.html

Missmarplesknitting how are the schools in Moseley? Sorry if you've mentioned above and I've missed it

Missmarplesknitting thansk for the link will check on RM

London feel you need Birmingham suburbs.

Harbourne, Kings Heath, Sutton Coldfield if you can work round the train issues.