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

How is Walsall ? Assuming not great as no one mentioned it

@Samsan1 I posted a house in Aldridge which some people consider to be Walsall. I think the transport is poor from there despite it looking like its just down the road. The state schools aren't brilliant there but there are grammar schools there.

I don't know the area too well but theres nice areas and dire areas plus everything inbetween.

I think your budget is quite low for what you want. A 4 bed house in a good area with good schools and good transport links into Birmingham really is going to cost more than your budget. What would you compromise on?

A 4 bed detached in Burntwood gives you a large house within budget with reasonable schools and 10 minutes drive into Lichfield or Cannock to get the train into Birmingham. But its not city life it's a quiet town so you may find it too isolating.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64279303.html

Outside London you will find many small rural primary schools have the best reputation for being good schools and in many cases thats despite Ofsted giving a low rating. However the best high schools tend to be in busy towns although I do know of 1 rural state high school thats outstanding and been so popular theyve built a 2nd school a few miles away to take the extra children.

Reinette thank you I think I will have to drop the idea of a new build. Lots of information above has helped so I'll have a look at areas and schools. I don't know how different it will be to get a in year transfer in to a good school either which worries me as we will have to take anything.

Have a drive round

Council estates are quite obvious due to the design of the mass house building after the war - can't miss it

If you like an area check out the local high street

Run down areas have lots of pound shops and takeaway food - especially the student areas close to the universities!!

Places like Sutton coldfield and solihill Tamworth Droitwich Worcester etc have unique shops and coffee bars

I've lived all over Brum, Moseley wins for me but outside your budget by a mile. I've got friends in Bearwood and that's a beautiful little spot, very central and considerably cheaper than other parts as it's technically Sandwell not Birmingham so slightly less shite council and better bin collection As far as I know the schools aren't bad although they have used a faith one for primary but their year 6 daughter is going to an outstanding academy for secondary there which they won't shut up about Not many detached houses around that way but defo get a stunning 3 bed terrace with room for a loft conversion.

Check out these new builds in Worcester
www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E1483&minBedrooms=4&maxPrice=400000&sortType=1

5 bedroom new build in Wolverhampton 15 mins by train to the centre of Brum.

Short walk the Girls' school, and a slightly longer walk the 'Wolverhampton Grammar' which isn't a grammar, it was private but became an academy. Or a stroll up the hill to an RC or C of E school.

www.schoolguide.co.uk/best-schools-in/wolverhampton

www.schoolguide.co.uk/secondary-schools/Wolverhampton

Or a 4 bed newbuild for £300 000

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65140046.html

The four bedroom house across the road from me in Bromsgrove is on the market for £365k. I agree with the pp, you may have to compromise on your budget.

Have a look at the cofton area, outskirts of Birmingham/bronsgrove.
I moved away from Erdington when we had children.
Just a tip if your not up to knocking on doors and asking for advice you could get a short taxi ride, if your lucky the driver will be a fountain of knowledge on the local area. I was fortunate enough to jump in a taxi just before I confirmed on a rental property and the driver told me some home truths about the area, told me which roads were ok which to avoid etc.

Thank you all robin kitty great idea about the taxi

What about Halesowen? This is a little over budget but an indication of top end prices. Halesowen has decent secondaries (you'd be in catchment for either from there).
Stourbridge you might consider, too, as on the train line.

Great post by KingsHeathean at 9.23.

Kingsheathen the link won't open to show the property but I'll check into the area thanks

Sorry Sam, it's a 5 bed newbuild/refurb on Grange Rd if that helps!

I'd much rather live in Lichfield than Aldridge! And my DN has just walked into a good performing school in year 2 after moving up from Surrey (funnily enough due to the house prices )

I would seriously consider Lichfield and have a look round at catchments and schools.

Walsall is okay... don't know enough about the schools. Wolverhampton is indeed only 15 minutes on the train - but that's from the train station in the middle of Wolves and you wouldn't want to live in the middle of Wolves imo.

Tamworth is a good shout.

Sorry but in the interests of fairness OP I have just taken another look at that house I linked to in Lichfield and it is within catchments for good and outstanding schools - including the Friary so I'm rather confused.

Thehandsmaidtail thank you I will definitely consider it, when did you move up from Surrey? Do you like it where you are? Have you all settled in?

Kingsheathen yes that helps I'll check it on Rightmove thansk

Thehandsmaidtail where in Surrey did you move from?

@TheHandmaidsTail the catchment primary school is St Chads a c of e school. Ofsted says its a good school and they achieved 67% of students gaining SATs results working at the expected level.

Compared to the Willows primary of 75%

The catchment high school is on the border between Netherstowe which is the least desirable and poorest performing school and King Edwards the best performing and highest attaining school. I know people living closer to King Edwards and The Friary and did not get a place at either.

@ReinettePompadour that house was in catchment for The Friary last year according to Right Move. Anyway that is for the OP to take a closer look at.

OP, it was my nephew who moved up from around the Chessington area. Very happy in Lichfield, couldn't afford as much in Sutton Coldfield.

Thehandsmaidtail that's good to hear I'm close to chessington about 30 mins drive away but much busier area

I think Northfield is one of those areas people are automatically snobby about. As with Kings Norton there are some estates which have problems. But there are also some lovely older houses - on the Cotteridge/Bournville side - along with attractive parks. It's also worth remembering you can have horrid neighbours in 'nice' areas, and lovely neighbours in slightly scruffier parts of town.

Absolutely WonderWombat. Northfield covers a huge area - yes some rougher parts, but some really nice parts too.