Moving to Birmingham from London - where do I start

[lilyblue82]

Hello Mumsnetters,

Happy Monday! My husband has accepted a position at the University of Birmingham so the family (we have a 3 1/2 and a 5 1/2 yo) will move there. We need to wait until the school ends now but I don't know what to do for primary school applications for reception for my 3 1/2 yo :(.

We have a budget of 380k (for a mortgage free home) but we can push for the dream home (with a little mortgage).

I've never been to Birmingham myself, my husband has been but only around the university so for me it's all new.

Best areas for that budget? Best areas for primary schools? International areas?

I will mainly be working from home, we don't mind an area outside the city but we don't know where to start :(. Birmingham is a big city with many areas. We will definitely be renting but we at the same time want to focus the search into certain areas.

Thank you so much for your help, sorry in a bit of a crisis

[BackforGood]

I agree with PrincessCarrisi about being open to Northfield - it is a really mixed area.

DH's picks....

1. Swarthmore Rd is South of Middle Park KH. A lot of University staff live there. It is a nice enough road - quite busy though. Primary school would be Northfield Manor which is - very international. Secondary you'd be looking at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury which is a smaller school and quite popular, or possibly Shenley Academy, which (before OFSTED fail and take over as Academy was poor, but I know a lot of people who are impressed with the new school - reputations just take a long time to catch up, or Bournville which has fared poorly in OFSTED terms recently but that doesn't reflect the opinions of parents of the many dc I know who go there. With that house, if is probably overlooked by flats backing on to the garden. I'm a bit surprised it is up for so much (and can't find the 5th bedroom??)
   
2. Oaklands Way - Lovely houses, but you are a bit isolated up there. Lots of newish houses built over last 15 years or so but without any of the community structure to go with them - shops, meeting halls (be that toddler group, cubs, weight watchers, or whatever). You are not within walking distance of anywhere, nor near a train, nor a school, I suspect there will be a bus but don't actually know. You'd have to get in the car to go anywhere . It's not really on Great Park folks - more on the old Hollymoor Hospital site.
   
3. The Weoley Park one is a nice one to consider (think I linked to it upthread ) Good for schools and he could walk into the University (Prob about 1 mile + depending where on site he is) but not in a studenty area.
   
4. Kingsdown Rd is a great example of "Northfield" covering a massive area that locals wouldn't think of as Northfield. that is Weoley Castle to me heading in to Bartley Green. Not somewhere I'd aspire to, with your possible budget.

[KingsHeathen]

BfG- I know Swarthmore is s of middle park-like my point was she'd want to be north of it!
The house on Willow has been reduced today.
I've also seen a couple on Langleys rd, that is in catchment for Bournville I, though both need work.

[BackforGood]

Oh sorry - misunderstood

[OneInEight]

I used to commute from Sutton Coldfield area to the university and could take an hour in school terms so be warned. Much better to seek somewhere nearer the university. I love the villages in the Solihull area which is a doable commute - can be very expensive though.

[senua]

Look at south Bromsgrove. You will be close to the station for the cross-city line which will drop DH at University (quarter of an hour journey). The schools, primary and secondary, are very good. They are oversubscribed so you need to ensure that you are in catchment.
Or Barnt Green, which is vair expensive nice.

[tigerdog]

We moved to Harborne from London and I would totally recommend it. It has excellent schools and a high street that has plenty of cafes, restaurants, pubs and other amenities. Bournville is lovely but there isn't much within walking distance and I am not a fan of always having to use the car. That would also rule out most of the other places mentioned for me. If you like the style of house in Bournville then it is worth looking at the Moorpool estate in Harborne. I might be biased but I think it is beautiful, and has a great community spirit.

[MrsCharlesBrandon]

Hi, can I suggest Halesowen? Easy commute to the university (about 30 mins in rush hour) and fantastic schools.

I would look in the Lapal, Lutley, and Howley Grange areas for schools, but if you want a bit more rural then Romsley is beautiful. There are several great state secondaries here too, a local King Edwards, and easy access to Edgbaston/Harbourne for private schools.

I've lived here for 31 years now and it's a really lovely area to live in.

[MrsCharlesBrandon]

www.connells.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-details?r=HSW310373&src=1&searchType=buy&geographyName=B62+0QA&radius=0.0&includeSSTC=0

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/43669519?search_identifier=80284148ccadfb7f6219c905efd1e814#suK1ppElurDyYF6z.97

These are both local to me, and there is a 4 bed house for sale by the first that hasn't appeared on websites yet, probably a similar price too.

[cottonwoolbrain]

If you're interested in the independents I'll tell you what I know about them

Hallfield - co-ed prep. Good preperation for 11+ but known for being pushy and regimented. Lots of children very happy but not suited to all children and got a relatively poor reputation for children with special needs

St Georges all through co-ed school from nursery to sixth form. Known as very good with special needs children but also used by a wide variety of others. Definately good for children of lower abilities

Priory - all through school Catholic co-ed but takes all religions as far as I can tell. Don't know a massive amount but seems to be middle of the road though does do quite a bit of 11+ prep

Edgbaston High - large girls school. All through though entry to senior not guaranteed and is by exam. Selective but not massively pushy - good range of extra curricular activities especially sports and music

West House - small boys prep. By all accounts very friendly,does 11+ prep but also supportive of less able children. Someone described it to me as being like a big family and "ramshackle but happy"

Norfolk House - co-ed Small prep, rumoured to be very academic and somewhat "hot housey"

someone will be along to tell you about the ones I've missed in a bit only in terms of prep schools I can't remember any more - there are others but they - St. Martins and Roasslyn but since I know almost zilch about them i'm not commenting.

[cottonwoolbrain]

Oh and Bluecoats - excellent reputation all round but some say quite pushy

[babyboyHarrison]

With your budget I would look at sutton Coldfield. The train line goes from Sutton to university so commute is actually pretty easy. State schools are better than Harborne area. Recommend four oaks in catchment for Arthur terry secondary as all the primaries in the area are good or outstanding. There are grammar schools in the area too if that appeals. Mere green centre has improved loads recently with a new shopping/ restaurant complex recently opened and the area is definitely on the up. Free parking at both four oaks and sutton coldfiekd and trains are frequent.

[Tiredemma]

With your budget I would look at sutton Coldfield. The train line goes from Sutton to university so commute is actually pretty easy. State schools are better than Harborne area. Recommend four oaks in catchment for Arthur terry secondary as all the primaries in the area are good or outstanding. There are grammar schools in the area too if that appeals. Mere green centre has improved loads recently with a new shopping/ restaurant complex recently opened and the area is definitely on the up. Free parking at both four oaks and sutton coldfiekd and trains are frequent

agree with this post. I am in Four Oaks in Arthur Terry catchment. Its a great area for families.

[Twinkle006]

Hi as someone who moved here 20 years ago from London and thought I wouldn't stay can I say 'welcome!' I would definitely recommend renting for 6 months and get a feel of the journey / job etc before you buy. I would consider secondary schools unless you are going down the private route. My daughter has just started at Queensbridge in Moseley (it's virtually in Kings Heath) and loves it. There are very few mixed secondary schools and the grammar system has an impact on the rest of the schools. The moseley / Kings Heath area (which isn't far from the uni - esp if you cycle) is v friendly and parts of it are more London like than other areas (with independent cafes etc - although Harborne has started to be more chilled in that way). When my daughter was unhappy at her primary school we looked to move across towards Bearwood which has lovely parks and good primary schools but unless you want single sex secondary schools or academies it wasn't a good moved so I managed to move her within the local area and she was very happy. The catchment areas of sought after schools are very small so visit schools and get a feel. Colmore Inf and junior are fantastic if you want a creative approach and approachable senior leadership team / lovely office staff. A good mix of children too both ethnicity and socio-economic. As the first person wrote - a name of an area doesn't always reflect it - so there are million pound homes in Moseley and 3 beds with a garden for under 200k in the same postcode. Similarly Harborne, Edgbaston, Bournville.
Getting around by car, whilst not quite like London in the rush hour IS bad. Caused in part by a terrible traffic system. Very few right hand filters and 5 ways has only in the last 18 months got traffic lights. Living within walking distance would be good (just not in studentland) or on a train line (and I'd go south of the city just because you can get back to London easier via the M40 - although there is the m6 toll junction near Sutton )
You will be welcomed in Birmingham - a world of people in one place with as much arts, culture, sport, invention as you can suck up; an airport on your doorstep and loads of parks and hills - just not a beach ! Put Brum by the sea and everyone would want to live there! I hope you are happy.

[Laurence83]

The majority of Erdington B24 is very pleasant and is routinely overlooked by many people who seem to be obsessed with South Birmingham (most of which is expensive and, in my view, overrated).

There are many nice roads with a variety of houses in the B24 area, including beautiful Victorian and Edwardian properties, 1930s detached and semis, period terraced houses, and more modern properties. Whilst this is not an exhaustive list, desirable roads include:

• Grange Road (large predominantly 1930s detached / semis; leafy)
• Holly Lane (mixture including very desirable period properties; leafy)
• Cedar / Beeches / Chestnut Drive (1930s semis - lovely and quiet)
• Poppy Lane (large detached properties, leafy and quiet)
• Greanside Road (1930s detached, lovely quiet, tree-lined street)
• Orphanage Road (large 1920s/30s detached / semis)
• Orchard Road (large and very elegant period properties; leafy)
• Edwards / Hart / Holliday Road (period terraced houses)
• Moor End Lane (predominantly 1930s semis and detached)
• Spring Lane (predominantly 1930s semis and detached)
• Deakin Road (mixture of houses, quiet and tree-lined)
• Rollason Road (mixture of large detached/semis, quiet, tree-lined)
• Jaffray Road / Crescent (elegant mixture of properties, leafy)
• Wood End Lane (mixture, including Grade II listed cottages, leafy)
• Woodlea Drive (modern detached)
• Dunvegan Road (1930s semis, quiet and tree-lined)
• Blossom Hill / Sandon Grove (modern semis)
• Berkswell / Allman / Ayre / Ewell Road (1930s semis, quiet)
• Arthur Road (mixture of large period properties, quiet)
• Goodison Gardens (modern semis, quiet)
• Pype Hayes Estate (modern semis and detached, generally quiet)
• Woodcote / Springthorpe / Silverdale Road (1930s semis, quiet)
• Kingsbury Road (mixture of properties, long and busier road)

All of the above are within the catchment areas of some very good primary schools, in particular St Barnabas CoE (Ofsted 'Outstanding'), The Abbey RC (Ofsted 'Good') and St Peter & St Paul RC (Ofsted 'Good'). Highclare independent school also serves the area and has an excellent reputation.

The northern end of the High Street offers an unusually large Co-op store which has been recently refurbished and offers a range of quality foods. It has a delicatessen, travel shop, florist and large clothing concession. The High Street also offers WHSmith, Boots, Walter Smiths butchers, a number of independent greengrocers, coffee shops and market.

St Barnabas is the parish church and is the hub of the local community, having seen extensive restoration work which has culminated in the opening of the contemporary Harbour Café - it serves wonderful coffee and fresh produce, whilst the church offers many events and activities, particularly for families.

Erdington Leisure Centre opened at Orphanage Road in September 2017 and offers a range of health and fitness facilities, swimming pool classes and sauna rooms. The lovely Rookery Park includes tennis courts, children's play areas, Italianate gardens and playing pitches. Rookery House, a striking stucco Georgian building, is being converted into luxury apartments in 2018.

The area has excellent transport links; Birmingham city centre and Sutton Coldfield town centre are within 15 minutes via train or bus. You can also be on the motorway within 5 minutes, such is the area's accessibility to pretty much anywhere.

I must stress that the B24 area is generally very different to that of the B23 area (the latter includes a number of less desirable estates, higher crime levels and poor quality housing / schools). I think this, and the previous decline of parts of the High Street, is the reason for negative perceptions of the area amongst some people.

In essence, Erdington is a very large area and the nice parts offer excellent value for money compared with other areas of Birmingham. It is well worth considering.

[KingsHeathen]

There's a reason Erdington is affordable.

[Didiusfalco]

I’ll give you Round Road as an example of why B24 can be just as grim as B23.

Think the Ops long gone anyway.

[KingsHeathen]

Oh no didius, she has another thread ATM but Laurence bumped this one.

[Didiusfalco]

Guessing it’s not a thread about moving to B24 though Heathen!

[KingsHeathen]

Indeed not!

[Laurence83]

Lol - Round Road is to B24 what the Maypole is to King's Heath ...

[KingsHeathen]

Yereees... and yet maypole is still in B14, and OP (or indeed anyone else moving from outside Birmingham) would need to be forewarned of that.

[Frogletmamma]

We live in Northfield. Its really friendly and with your budget you can buy about 3 typical houses! Its good for KE five ways at secondary which is where (fingers crossed) my little one is going (or indeed Camp Hill). For your smaller ones St Laurence (have to live in parish) and Meadows are good schools. Ask for something off Bunbury Road-there are some nice houses and you are in catchment for St Laurence and on no 18 bus route to 5 ways. Quick tootle along Bristol Rd to Uni.

[Caulk]

Do you have girls? Saint Martins in Solihull is great and you could live in Dorridge or Bentley Heath, although they are ok the other train line to university.

I’d look at Barnt Green and Cofton Hackett. BG has a station and you’ve got St Andrews First School and Lickey Hills Primary School.

[flirtygirl]

Hi is the Maypole not nice? I was looking at Maypole lane, also is Hollywood nice?

TIA

[Doloress]

Me, my partner and our 3 years old twins live in Bordon (Hampshire). My partner got a job in Birmingham Ambulance. We'll be moving in March. I checked properties on Rightmove in Bournville, Selly Oak but I don't know what to do with school. Girls will be 4 in May so they are on the list to reception ( in the area where we live ). We are going to move in March. How can I find school places for them?