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

Hodge Hill school is a hell hole

There's a girls school but I think mostly Asian due to religion. That or Wahwood Heath School - don't go there

Have you looked at Droitwich? Main train line lovely village great schools

Witchofzog really that's amazing , I'll definitely fee weird knocking but like you said good to know, i by DH will be hiding away embarrassed when I do this 😂

Green tulips no
I haven't will check that out, I think I'm
Going to have to print a map
Of Birmingham
And mark all these areas to check before I confuse myself 😂

I think I know the erdington new build estate you are talking about. Are parts still under construction? If they are then there is no way you will get into the Sutton primaries, they are all over subscribed. In fact I have been wondering where all these extra children will go to school as the erdington schools are also busy.

There is more movement in the erdington area though. More transient population. Lived there for 10 years before moving to Sutton. It's fine. Parts are quite rough and poor. Parts are quite nice. The high street is busy but run down. It can be dirty with rubbish on the streets, dog mess etc.

Aim for Sutton if you can although close to the Chester road, Sutton borders, means you may get into the Sutton primaries. But not the Sutton secondaries.

Plantsbrook secondary is decent I think. Arthur Terry is very good but I don't think you could afford the houses. Don't know about the others.

No idea about south Birmingham but the nicer areas have been mentioned.

Good luck!

Honestly? It is cringeworthy. I felt the same. But I am so glad I did. I was on my way to put a deposit down on a rental when I knocked on doors. I was desperate because time was not on my side due to my landlord selling up. But the woman was so honest which confirmed my niggling doubts and I found a house in a better area with better transport links too a week later. You can tell a lot from these type of conversations

Falafels yes that's the ones all under construction at the moment do e to
Be completed by summer,I think the above comments have put me off the area lol, chills for me are number 1 priority along with safe area. Might have to drop
The new build idea then

Witxhofzog, yes you're right I will definitely do that. I'm getting a bit nervous now reading all the above feeling overwhelmed thinking I'm not going to b able to afford on a good area, might as well stay put in London with those private

*prices

Hi Op. I live in London but am originally from Solihull and my mum still lives here (am up here with the kids now) . What others say about Solihull being 'naice' is true and fur that reason expensive but if you go out of the Centre a bit then you can still find a hood deal. This one is on the way into Birmingham bit still nice and close to Solihull... www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71830064.html

Or a *good deal even...

Thanks Seth good to know will have a check and might have to drop the idea of a new build, is that area still on catchment area of good primary and secondary schools ?

You will probably get more for your money outside Birmingham to be honest. Lichfield is quite nice from what I remember and the transport links were always good too

I live in Erdington! Moved here for uni and never left, I think Birmingham on the whole is brilliant and Erdington is good value for money, but yeh definitely not the nicest place. I don't think I'd want to live here if I had kids. Sutton is way nicer if you can stretch to it, or Bournville is lovely.

Witchofzog we are happy to consider outside of Birmingham too so will check there too thanks

I'll also second Solihull. Absolutely beautiful place

Eggcellent yes that's the thing I've got young children and a baby so I guess it's not suitable for me , I'll check suttoknand bournville though thanks

My friend lived in Northfield and it took twice as long to get to the city that say Reditch or Droitwich or Worcester

Some Roads are a nightmare! Trains are the way to go

If I drop the new build idea I can see 4 bed within budget in Solihull but are all
Areas in Solihull good with good schools or any areas to avoid ? I know dorridge and knowle are good now from
Above posts but any other areas in Solihull ?
Same for Sutton, any ideas to avoid?

Watch that estate agents say 'X' area when it's really Y area - it's quite common!!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/Solihull-Lodge.html
Try that link. Solihul lodge area. Its officially solihul, but its right on the edge. Its got the number two bus straight to town and the yardley wood train station is a two minute drive or a 10-15 minute walk.

And a local nice senior school is lighthall in solihul. Peterbrook for primary.

Most of Solihull is nice.

Sheldon, Acocks Green (Birmingham but close), chelmsley wood and north Solihull are areas I'd avoid.

Olton, Shirley, and the Blossmfield rd areas nice. Olton not as nice as used to be. Blossmfield rd is Tudor Grange secondary. Olton you'd be Langley (good) or lode heath (ok) secondary.

Sharmans cross is nice too. Alderbrook(?) Secondary which is a good school.

Monkspath and Dickens Heath are newer areas and both nice. Ditto Widney Manor and Bentley Heath. Not sure on schools for monkspath but Bentley Heath often drops into Arden secondary academy.

Knowle and Dorridge are villages outside and are v posh. Arden secondary is catchment there. One of the best state secondaries in the UK.

I still think Kenilworth is worth a look.

Excellent secondary school, really nice primaries, high street has enough going on, there's Waitrose and Sainsbury's in the town centre....new station opens quite soon too with trains to Birmingham. Might fit the bill?

Agree, look at Dickens Heath and Monkspath. You would need to commute into Bham using Whitlocks End or Widey Manor train stations. Both areas have their own decent primary schools and both are in the catchment for Alderbrook secondary which is very good.

I used to live in Olton and DW taught in a lot of schools near Olton. It was a nice area and the schools were good, bit this was a few years ago.