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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Living in Birmingham - is it very unsafe?

84 replies

4Laurie · 26/08/2025 23:06

Hi, my son has a place at the acting programme of the RBC (Birmingham conservatoire), this would mean living near the BCU in the centre, he really dislikes the area and thinks it's pretty unsafe so is hesitant about taking up his place. Does anyone have experience of this or could offer comments?

OP posts:
Helpwithdivorce · 27/08/2025 16:07

its no more or less unsafe than any big city. There are rougher parts. I lived in one of the roughest in my 20’s and had absolutely no issues.
The city centre is perfectly safe as is bourneville. It might be daunting if he’s a small town boy. But it’s certainly not unsafe

PropertyGuy · 27/08/2025 16:30

ellyoctober · 26/08/2025 23:37

Sparkhill and Alum Rock are really great diverse up and coming areas with progressive, safe vibes, my DD (at UoB) lives there, the area is great for students.

I don't think I've ever heard Sparkhill or Alum Rock described as "up and coming". Quite the opposite. The only time I would usually expect people to be l describe them as such would be with a HUGE slice of irony.

If your daughter, however, does genuinely live there and you both feel that way, then good for you / her. But I certainly wouldn't be suggesting either of those areas for OP's offspring.

Swanhilde · 27/08/2025 16:40

Lbet · 27/08/2025 11:43

Sorry I should add that Birmingham city centre is probably just the same as most cities with goid and bad points. It’s a great place for nightlife for students and my two never have any bother. Totally understand you and your son’s concerns but you maybe overthinking it a little. My daughter is off to Liverpool uni but just going to do my best to be relaxed about it.

Anything else you want to know just ask I am happy to help.

DD about to go into her third year at UoL. Loves it, never had any issues, lives in Kensington so not the nicest of areas. From our experience, Liverpool is a small, friendly and safe city - I'm sure your DD will love it there too.

Original poster
4Laurie · 27/08/2025 18:52

LillianGish · 27/08/2025 16:01

He will be absolutely fine - Birmingham is a great city. Like any big city it has a few dodgy areas, but these are not places he’s likely to go as a student. DS just graduated from UOB and neither he nor any of his mates ever had any problems. I accept it probably feels a bit alien to him at the moment, but within a few weeks it will start to feel like home and he will wonder what he was worrying about.

Thanks so much, yes I think it is fear of the unknown. We lived in an incredibly safe area in NZ then Devon so it seems a big leap and the crime stars are intimidating...

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 27/08/2025 18:55

We come from Britain's dullest large village (TM) and I was worried about very not street smart DS in Birmingham. He was walking about, shopping, uses buses and trains etc in no time at all. Just operate normal caution and it's all fine.

The trains are really easy and quick. Bournville is looooovely.

Helpwithdivorce · 27/08/2025 19:35

PropertyGuy · 27/08/2025 16:30

I don't think I've ever heard Sparkhill or Alum Rock described as "up and coming". Quite the opposite. The only time I would usually expect people to be l describe them as such would be with a HUGE slice of irony.

If your daughter, however, does genuinely live there and you both feel that way, then good for you / her. But I certainly wouldn't be suggesting either of those areas for OP's offspring.

Show quote history

It’s been about 18 years since I moved away (still have family in brum) but back then they were both absolute sh*tholes and I don’t think it’s changed much

Original poster
4Laurie · 28/08/2025 09:26

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 27/08/2025 11:51

Two of my DDs want to university in Birmingham.

DD2 didn't like Birmingham at all (she's a small town woman at heart), but saw it as a means to an end.

DD1 loved it - and actually chose to start her Big 4 accountancy apprenticeship there.

Both lived in very rough areas (my parents described the street they both lived on as 'student slums'). They were never attacked, robbed or burgled at any stage - despite doing bloody stupid things like walking down the canal path on their own late at night.

Edited

Interesting, that they both had different impressions, maybe it boils down to how much he wants the conservatoire training!

OP posts:
ZoraBennett · 28/08/2025 09:34

My daughter went to uni in Birmingham, never had any trouble or felt unsafe. We live in a village. She got streetwise pretty quickly and now travels the world for work. It's daunting but you have to put your own anxieties aside and don't let them influence your son's perception of Birmingham. He'll have a great time.

SabrinaThwaite · 28/08/2025 10:09

Have you considered the Queens Hospital Close accommodation? It’s close to Fiveways for the train station and a short walk into town?

Piggywaspushed · 28/08/2025 10:18

4Laurie · 28/08/2025 09:26

Interesting, that they both had different impressions, maybe it boils down to how much he wants the conservatoire training!

Show quote history

Birmingham Conservatoire is brilliant, so 'a lot' I presume is the answer to 'how much'. He must be very talented!

Worldgonecrazy · 28/08/2025 10:24

Avoid area around Aston and BCU. If he can get somewhere in Selly Oak or Edgbaston (Bristol Road side) then the train journey is short. There is a lot of great student life, and some genuinely lovely areas.

Birmingham is a shit hole, the areas to avoid seems to grow each year.

I used to love it (I’m a Brummie) but now see it with different eyes since moving away.

Dearover · 28/08/2025 10:48

Avoid social media. It would probably claim that Totnes is a hotbed of drink & drugs!

I regularly stay near the Mailbox canalside in Birmingham. I've happily been out & about late at night and simply followed all the usual personal safety advice. Don't have your phone in your hand, don't walk with headphones in, stay alert & don't suddenly approach lone women at speed from behind or walk close behind them. Protect any drinks so you don't get spiked.

Dearover · 28/08/2025 10:59

You & your DS might also benefit from this advice:

https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/personal-safety-how-to-stay-safe

Devilsmommy · 28/08/2025 10:59

PropertyGuy · 27/08/2025 16:30

I don't think I've ever heard Sparkhill or Alum Rock described as "up and coming". Quite the opposite. The only time I would usually expect people to be l describe them as such would be with a HUGE slice of irony.

If your daughter, however, does genuinely live there and you both feel that way, then good for you / her. But I certainly wouldn't be suggesting either of those areas for OP's offspring.

Show quote history

Bloody hell I lived in sparkhill and it's definitely not a place id recommend OPs son to live😬

Florencesndzebedee · 28/08/2025 11:09

Compared to where he’s from, yes it will feel a bit intimidating but he should just get on with it as he needs to adult. He’ll be with other students most of the time and not hanging out in the gang areas. As an actor/arts person he will hopefully be adaptable and Birmingham is a lot cheaper place to be a student than some cities.

Original poster
4Laurie · 28/08/2025 11:33

Worldgonecrazy · 28/08/2025 10:24

Avoid area around Aston and BCU. If he can get somewhere in Selly Oak or Edgbaston (Bristol Road side) then the train journey is short. There is a lot of great student life, and some genuinely lovely areas.

Birmingham is a shit hole, the areas to avoid seems to grow each year.

I used to love it (I’m a Brummie) but now see it with different eyes since moving away.

Edited

Thanks for that, the problem is that BCU is exactly where the student accommodation for the conservatoire is, so if he got a private rental in the areas you mention it would be better, but then I guess he would have no student life outside of the drama classes, such a dilemma!!

OP posts:
Worldgonecrazy · 28/08/2025 11:42

Can you share the road name for the conservatoire accommodation? There are usually safe routes between areas so those with local knowledge may be able to help.

Worldgonecrazy · 28/08/2025 11:47

Should also add that travelling in groups is usually safe. It would be a shame if someone did not pursue their dream because of fear. There are ways to manage to move around Birmingham safely, even the dodgy bits.

PestoHoliday · 28/08/2025 11:51

DD is at UoBrum.ane her friend is at the Conservatoire. They both loveit and are having a brilliant time. No safety concerns beyond normal city precautions and it's a very welcoming place.

DS was in Liverpool, @Lbet , and had three utterly brilliant years with no problem at all - even in horrible Kensington student accommodation. He stayed on for work afterwards because he loved the city so much.

Dearover · 28/08/2025 12:14

Is there a particular reason why he is so wary? Eg. Recently had his phone stolen? Most freshers will be nervous, so please reassure him that it's normal to have a few doubts. He has a great opportunity that many would love to have, so he really should be trying to focus on the positives

Dearover · 28/08/2025 12:15

Is there a particular reason why he is so wary? Eg. Recently had his phone stolen? Most freshers will be nervous, so please reassure him that it's normal to have a few doubts. He has a great opportunity that many would love to have, so he really should be trying to focus on the positives

MyselfMyName · 28/08/2025 12:16

I've read that in Manchester once a student was mugged for his trainers. And had to walk back with no shoes.

Comefromaway · 28/08/2025 12:37

My son and his friends have had problems in Manchester (ds is a student in Leeds but was visiting). His friend was mugged at knifepoint for a pizza, his other frend had his car broken into outside the house and shen ds was staying over someone broke in the house overnight and stole his backpack with laptop,ipad and a bose speaker in (plus some specialist music equipment). They showed up on Find My at a chicken shop.

MyselfMyName · 28/08/2025 12:42

Comefromaway · 28/08/2025 12:37

My son and his friends have had problems in Manchester (ds is a student in Leeds but was visiting). His friend was mugged at knifepoint for a pizza, his other frend had his car broken into outside the house and shen ds was staying over someone broke in the house overnight and stole his backpack with laptop,ipad and a bose speaker in (plus some specialist music equipment). They showed up on Find My at a chicken shop.

And I assume they didn't get it back even with location tracking?

Comefromaway · 28/08/2025 12:43

Afraid not.