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Opinions on moving to this area in Birmingham/advice

8 replies

MeganBoo · 16/06/2026 07:13

Hi, looking for advice/opinions on this particular area of Sheldon in Birmingham. I currently live in the surrounding area of London but I’m in the process of a council exchange to Birmingham, to be closer to support, I don’t know much about Birmingham areas but I think I’ve chosen the wrong one.

Im due to move to Sheldon right near the airport viewing area in country park. My support system doesn't live in Sheldon but not too far away, ideally I’d prefer a more diverse part of Birmingham with a bit more going on so I’ll probably try to exchange this house again in the future. Upon looking online I’ve seen the part of Sheldon I’m moving too (the radleys) is the more rougher side that’s not as nice and people are told to avoid moving to…it wouldn’t bother me too much however as mentioned I want to try and exchange property’s again and I now think it’ll be hard to do so as not many people seem to want Sheldon in the first place but if they do they definitely won’t want the part im moving to. Not to mention being so close to the airport I imagine the noise will also put a lot of people off and I’m not even sure how I’ll adapt to it myself.

Im unsure what to do as I really want to be closer to my support asap and would hate to drop out of the mutual exchange and start over again. I already knew the loud planes may be an issue but due to really wanting to move I was willing to deal with it…but now also finding out the area has a bad reputation, I’m seriously reconsidering. The house itself I don’t mind other than the fact it has a small garden it is a decent semi detached house, nice living area, large drive with garage. It’s just the area I’m now stressing about.

People who are familiar with this area is it really bad?

As I suspect, will people be put off swapping with me in the future due to plane noise and the areas bad reputation?

OP posts:
LittlePetitePsychopath · 16/06/2026 07:17

I wouldn’t live there, but more importantly for you - I wouldn’t go if I was dependent on being able to exchange again. There’s a lot available to exchange there because it’s not a desirable area and the reputation is poor. You’d have to be very lucky to find someone willing to move there from out of the area, and they’d likely be in a worst place.

I don’t think people are hugely put off by the planes themselves, although the parking from people wanting to watch the planes is a pain in the arse, but the long standing reputation will be an issue.

BeautifulBlueFish · 16/06/2026 07:34

I don't live in Sheldon - I live in another part of the City so I'm looking at it from the outside, as it were.. Sheldon has got a reputation for being a rough area.that is quite run down with a very white, working class demographic. DH had to go there for work a couple of weeks ago and commented about how rough it was when he got home - that's not something he'd normally do unless it had made a particularly bad impression on him. I think the noise from the planes is the least of the problems there.

liveforsummer · 16/06/2026 07:43

You’ll get used to the plane noise very quickly- I’ve camped many times practically next to a runway and you barely notice it after a short while. I actually find it quite soothing! What’s the exchange options in nicer parts? If the move is jmportant and chances of a house in a better area are low then it’s probably worth going for

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 16/06/2026 07:47

Where are you in London?

AguaConGas · 16/06/2026 07:48

There are worse parts of Birmingham! Sheldon isnt going to win awards for its prettiness or genteel folk. But it's home for a lot of normal families.

It has the bonus of being close to Solihull, the ice rink, resorts world and there's supermarkets, restaurants and plenty of other amenities on your doorstep.

The country park is nice too.

It could be worse!

MeganBoo · 16/06/2026 11:30

@Ritasueandbobtoo9 Im not actually in London, I’m in Hertfordshire.

OP posts:
Wiaa · 16/06/2026 12:15

Overall Sheldon isn't that rough, its just a regular council estate round that bit, perfectly safe to walk around. I used to live in an ex council house just down the road from the radleys and now live just over the road where its solihull.

Blarn · 16/06/2026 12:22

Like a PP, I don't live in Sheldon but also know its fine. There will be rougher bits but a lot of it is just families getting on with life. It's very near to JLR so it isn't an area which suffers from particularly bad unemployment either.

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