Move to Birmingham

[Gandalfsdaughter]

We’re looking to move to Birmingham next summer due to DHs job. Not been to Birmingham for 15 years and have no idea where to start!
Really appreciate any hints, tips, ideas and suggestions from people who know the city 🙏.

2 teens will need a nice secondary school, we like a pleasant neighbourhood, with good travel links.
DH will be based at B’ham university. We have a dog so like to be close to either a large park, or countryside.
We’re looking for a 4 bed house, absolute max budget of £500.000 , but preferable closer to £450.000… Where would you be looking?? X

I would do everything in my power not to move a child mid GCSE.

If your DH is working at the uni I would recommend Bournville which is lovely and well within budget or kings Norton specifically the parts near to the green. Both have excellent train links into the city and the uni.

I have no idea how easy/difficult it is to get them into a school of our choice - one is going into year 11(!) , the other into year 9..its causing me sleepless nights already!
Bromsgrove South works on the 3-tier system. The High School starts at Y9.

Definitely near the cross city line if you are North of the city. Sutton, Lichfield, Tamworth or surrounding villages are nice

Going into yr11! Wow, that's a tough move for her. I appreciate you know that.

There are some very good mixed schools. The single aex schools tend to be grammars anyway (not all).

I have a soft spot for Birmingham having spent many years living there as a child and also my 20s. I still go back weekly for my children's hobby.

But, I much prefer living a commutable distance away. Every Saturday morning I curse the traffic and awful driving! But I'm a country bumpkin now!

Solihull would be my pick. But it's not on the train line to the university. Great schools though (and mixed).

I know Redditch is a bit bland, but I grew up there in my teens and housing is cheap but it's a nice, safe town. Lots of green areas, and very quick via train to the university. You'd get a lot for your money and I believe schools are good? Admittedly I'm a bit out of touch now!

Also Bromsgrove. But I like the more rural less urban...

Wow! I'm always entertained by the fact that half of the suggestions for places to live in Birmingham end up not even being in Birmingham!. The honest truth is if you want to avoid any of the pitfalls of city life and any form of deprivation you definitely shouldn't live in Birmingham. All the areas mentioned have their issues as they are surrounded by 'not so nice areas'.

Quinton is good but getting pricier as people are choosing over Harborne. Buses are also good from there since they extended the bus lane after Harborne. PPs are right about looking slightly further out to Halesowen, Redditch etc. Or towards Solihull way, I know someone who moved in that direction specifically for the better secondary schools.

I wouldn't put Longbridge over Northfield though.

Going into Y11 I would be surprised if you can find any school at all that will take her.

Exam boards, curriculums, subjects offered are all different between schools.

That should be your first consideration rather than a house. I work in a school (non teaching) and we don't take Y11 students at all unless on a dual register arrangement - so their original school sends work, enters exams etc - which is usually for children needing a fresh start somewhere.

You’d do better to move out of the city really. Villages Bromsgrove end like Hagley/Clent and Stourbridge town are still only 20mins to the uni with Great rail links and not far from the M5

I live in Lichfield and before that Sutton Coldfield,totally the wrong areas for the University,as long as you are talking about Birmingham Uni and not Aston or City Uni.

My daughter did her PhD in Birmingham and found the travelling difficult from this side,the parking is a nightmare there as well.

You definitely need to be looking at other areas already mentioned above.Not the north of the city.

Sutton has a good train link into brum. Terrible generalisation to say that most mixed schools are shit, most of us manage and are fine. However , we say that traffic is horrendous in brum so factor that into your choice

Sutton train goes direct to bham uni as well

I would definitely focus on finding the right school - there are some fantastic girls schools in Birmingham - Lordswood, St Paul’s, Kings Norton Girls are all very good. If you want a mixed school The University School is good, or look further out such as Bromsgrove ( or other Worcs as agree the three tier system might work better for you). Haybridge in Hagley is good as is Hagley High. But trying to get spaces in some of these schools will be tough.

It really depends if you want to be in proper Birmingham or open to travel?
Edgbaston and Harbourne are pricey but even places like Kings Heath have gone up massively. Quinton has been mentioned which is reasonable and good motorway access as well as being ten mins from the uni. Just make sure you don't stray into areas like Bartley Green from Quinton or Ladywood from Edgbaston.

Personally I wouldn't live in the city - I need to escape. I'd go Bromsgrove/Redditch if you want to be on the uni trainline. Or Stourbridge/Hagley/Halesowen if you aren't bothered re the uni train. A lot of outstanding schools in these areas too.

Yes, I appreciate this. We’re more looking for the move itself, and schools are the priority - but we need to start somewhere. The current school says it’s definitely possible to move, the yr 11 dd is very hard working and dedicated and willing to put a lot of effort in. We originally wanted to let dh start in Brum, and we’d follow after the gcse’s but dd definitely doesn’t want this. Then we asked her current school if it is possible to move between yr 10 and 11, and they confirmed as she is predicted 8s and 9s, she should be fine and they will assist where possible.

Halesowen has some fantastic Secondary schools and it's possible to be at the uni in 15 mins by car. Bus/train is a bit more awkward but still doable. Cycling in is even better!

Quinton is definitely worth looking at, houses get pricer as you head towards Harbourne and Edgbaston borders.

We originally wanted to let dh start in Brum, and we’d follow after the gcse’s but dd definitely doesn’t want this

Well personally I would put my foot down and if we could afford to do so then tell her that's what's happening whether she wants it or not. She's in the middle of exams and I can not think of anything worse for a teenager than having to join a new school in Year Eleven. It will be a very, very lonely time for her. Might even negatively affect her predicted results.

This thread actually demonstrates the problem with birmingham! Wow the snobbery is real. Honestly Birmingham and north edgbaston where I live is such a melting pot and it's what makes it wonderful. If you want to get to work without hassle and want to enjoy the city please actually live in Birmingham. I personally prefer a mix of people, we have rich, poor, black white etc and people are open and friendly. We have running clubs, sailing clubs, gardening clubs all on our doorstep and can get to the bullring and back in under 20 mins even on the bus so not to shabby in my book. We also get parking outside our house daily which cant be said for Moseley, kings heath, harborne etc

Loll i live in Brum, all is can say is if you're a snob , don't come here

@Gandalfsdaughter it worked out really well thank you. We were potty training DD at the time so had to carry a potty around in the car all weekend 🤣. The first area of Birmingham we lived was ok but not great. Now we're in Shirley we have really settled and we love it here. DH works in Birmingham and I work up the road. Brilliant schools here. 3 bed semi across the road just sold for £480k

Kings Heath is lovely too

Sounds great - i’m not British and love living in a city with a eclectic mix of neighbours. Teens say they’d like a quiter town than where we are now 😅- i grew up in a village and hated it as a teen. So many things to consider…!

Lots of people will mock the mention of Northfield, but there are several roads with some lovely houses on. 100% agree! Those roads were built in the 1930s because they were within walking distance of the station.

I wouldn't put Longbridge over Northfield though.. Neither would I. Or anyone who lives in either Longbridge or Northfield.

Halesowen has some fantastic Secondary schools and it's possible to be at the uni in 15 mins by car.. No it isn't, unless it's 3am or you have a drive-in Tardis at your disposal.

@Gandalfsdaughter sorry to jump on my soapbox but the Birmingham threads just get a bit too much at times!. I really just wanted to offer a different perspective as someone who has lived in four oaks, brindley place (city centre) and now north edgbaston I've experienced it all. I'm originally from north London and found the transition pretty tough when first moving to Sutton as there wasn't alot to do so it really does depend on who you and your family are and what your after. Best of luck to you with your search 🙂

Here here!