To dislike Birmingham?

[redeoof]

I’ve worked in the city maybe 4 years now .. there really isn’t much appealing about it. I once overheard a woman on the train say she does guided tours for Manc, London and Birmingham - and Bham is a hard sell.

I’ve been coming into New Street station for years and there’s always been construction and it’s never seemed to progressed to anything.

I walk down New Street and actually feel unsafe. It’s depressing and dreary .. and it should be so much more

🤣🤣🤣 okay.

What a stupid nasty thread. I’m from London, but I think brum is BOSTIN. Lovely people, and I got called ducks when I first visited. Ok it’s got some crap bits, but so has every city. Find the bits you like. There are loads of arty places, parks, etc. Youre not obliged to like the place. Bog off to wherever you prefer.

You are an ignorant dimwit

dislike It and the accent is even worse

TBF I find the UK in general really unsafe especially for women

Oh dear.

DH is on the waiting list for a cardiac ablation at the QEH. Initially his cardiologist said it would either be Oxford or Birmingham and I was very happy with the Oxford version, I know my way around Oxford, we can get there within a civilised time frame and I did training at the JR. But when he went for his appointment to assess suitability the cardiac surgeon he saw was from a Birmingham…
On the plus side a very nice chap with no vestige of a Brummie accent.
On the assumption he will be expected to show up between 7&8am on the day I have decided we will have to take a train up the day before and stay overnight in a hotel plus another night for me as (all being well and going to plan) it should involve one night in hospital for him. No way am I going to drive at the crack of dawn and navigate a city I don’t know plus there’s nowhere to park.

So if anyone has recommendations for a decent (bed bug free) hotel not too far from the hospital I’d appreciate the advice.

Can't think of much worse than a Yorkshire accent and nowhere near ad bad as a scouse accent were your comments.
Not much different to diabolical.

I lived there for 4 years after graduating (from a uni in a different city) and really struggled. And that was nearly 15-20 years ago when it had more going for it. I think it seems smaller than it is because there are a lack of nice neighbourhoods to visit within it - you've got the city centre, Harborne and Moseley, thats it really. Everything else seemed grim to me. The whole layout of it just has a weird vibe...I actually live within 20 miles of there now but never visit unless going to a show, then I'm in and out on the train.

I worked there on and off for years, I swear entire species have evolved faster that new street station has taken to construct

I’m a born and bred, diehard Londoner. Brum is my second favourite UK city.

It’s not ‘charming’, no, but its a diverse, decent-sized city with plenty of interest and lots to do if you get to know it.

I certainly wouldn’t judge it on an area around New St station!

I mean, I bloody love London, but I walked across Leicester Square for the first time in a few years recently and thought What an absolute fucking hellhole.

I've always disliked Birmingham too. Used to visit lots and just did not like it. Not been for years now and I don't think I will. Lovely people and I love the accent though. I also dislike London so there's that. 😁

100% this! ^ 👏

I think it has far less going for it 20 years ago!

You do realise that station was finished about a decade ago.

A few Travelodges in Birmingham City Centre, but I am not sure where the hospital is? Travelodges are often conveniently placed though. All the best for your DH.

edit, just noticed QEH!

Travelodge Birmingham Central Broadway Plaza appears to be the closest. 220 Ladywood Middleway, B16

.

Well it was cleaner for a start (no bin strikes....I assume they're still going on given the amount of rubbish in tge city centre on my last trip in in the summer....)

The main town part was fine but the residents street I stayed on looked like something from Shameless. I’m sure there are nice parts but even the road in to Birmingham was depressing

Is Birmingham the new London on MN? 🤣

The misery guts have obviously exhausted bashing the capital (usually based on stupid shit like ‘Oxford Street is horrible’) and must now move on to the next big city.

😁😁

I go into the city centre a lot and hadn’t witnessed any problems from bin strikes, only seen that in the residential areas. And then it’s not in all areas as a lot of residents have been dealing with it themselves.

I'm quite easy going. I like Brum and London, and the accents, and the South Yorkshire accent and the Scouse accent. I don't dislike much! 😆

Ah okay, thanks. I think I've usually been looking in the main shopping drag, as that's where I'm hanging around waiting for a train. I did eventually find a row of about 8 seats and there was virtually a queue for them!

Many city centres have been struggling for years. There's often a feeling of not really thriving somehow - even in London. Covid, digital life, shopping online, WFH, COL...these things take their toll.

Wow really? It was terrible one Saturday in the summer. Ive seen cleaner streets in Guatemala City...

Typo, I meant Christmas markets.

Ah ha, twas a typo!