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Birmingham, decent areas to live

123 replies

pjsmum · 02/04/2007 12:27

Thinking of applying for a job in saltley, B'ham. does anyone know what its like? And suggest areas within 10miles or so that would be nice to live in. The job is in a school in saltley, don't want to live there or too close by! Thanks

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Susanssa · 21/03/2021 13:38

I’m 34 and I work in real estate. I’ve lived in Moseley, Dickens Heath (Solihull), four oaks (Sutton Coldfield) but now harborne and for me at this point in my life this is the best area for me to live.Harborne is probably where prices will rise really quickly because of HS2 and the like.Harborne has parks, golf courses, the plough (great pub) a slug and lettuce if you want too boogie and many other great shops and it’s not far from the university and QE (basically in harborne).I like the nightlife in the city but equally the nightlife in harborne is good too, Moseley is almost as good and Sutton is still ok but not as good. I think if you can afford it then I would go for harborne/edgbaston. great schools great walks great parks great nightlife, the white swan, plough, pizza express, slug and lettuce, edgbaston hotel, the physician, the high field. You can basically have good night out here and don’t need the craziness of the city.Solihull is still nice in terms of out of town and are commutable but I actually think Lichfield four oaks and Around barnt green (Marlbrook lickey end etc) are more affordable and will be better in time. if I was to choose living anywhere at any age I think I would choose to live in harborne because it’s like a village in the city and has basically everything. Pubs and transport are important to me aswell as investment values increasing. If I wanted to live somewhere with a lot more green spaces I think I would choose to live in and around barnt green but somewhere more affordable like Marlbrook or lickey end, it has great pubs like the barnt green inn and the queens head nearby which are unbelievable in the summer.Failing this I’d live in and around four oaks, you’ve got the belfry nearby open spaces, a slug and lettuce in the centre and mere green which has the old school house and some great pubs and restaurants. It also has fantastic schools and both are commutable to the city centre, there’s also Sutton Coldfield park which is one of the largest parks in Europe.To sum up, based on any age here is how I would sum it up and this is where I would live. I’ve done this in terms of expected increase in investment and also amentities and everything else.1. Harborne and Edgbaston 2. Four oaks3. Moseley4. Marlbrook/lickey End/ Barnt Green5. Lichfield 6. Dickens Heath ( a village in Solihull which has its own pubs etc and a lot of green space, it looks amazing, new houses but still a traditional feel)7. Sutton Coldfield town centre ( in and around)8. Selly Park.9. Bearwood ( but as close to the Hayley road as possible)10. Dudley ( this more of a long shot but they are making their own university soon it has a village gym with some restaurants around and good transport links and price may go up drastically and you get a lot for your money)

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shazamaz · 14/03/2018 21:57

Personally, I think that there are good and bad parts to all cities. But, if the spelling on this thread is reflective of the level of education in Birmingham generally then I would seriously consider applying for a job elsewhere.

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specialsubject · 15/12/2017 09:33

Thats helpful, but after a decade I hope the op has made a decision.

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Laurence83 · 11/12/2017 16:05

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.
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cazzybabs · 04/04/2007 22:08

puffling - that sounds a bit extreme. I have done the Harborne run a few times.

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cat64 · 04/04/2007 22:06

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Blessed2 · 04/04/2007 13:31

Solihull have a larger number of good nurseries and schools than Birmingham. My son goes to the Bham no. 1 j&i school in Moseley - but you really definately need to live next door to get in plus the nursery next to it on School RD Moseley is probably a feeder for the school and is a good nursery. The nursery will take and pick up the kids from school for you. You get more for your money in Kings Heath/Moseley border than you do in Solihull.

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jampot · 03/04/2007 23:28

personally if you want to be accessible to your family I would choose a location close to a motorway network - either sutton or solihull - good schools, reasonable house within price bracket, far away from the little darlings

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puffling · 03/04/2007 22:08

Did anyone ever do all the pubs on the number 11 route?

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obimomkanobi · 03/04/2007 21:05

I wouldn't live in Saltley!

King Sheath(!), Mosely, Bearwood, Selly Oak and Harborne are all nice.

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pjsmum · 03/04/2007 19:16

That's suppose to say catch up on their grandad, aunt and uncle skills!

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pjsmum · 03/04/2007 19:15

Hi, thanks for all that info. I've looked into saltley, looks rough as but I'm currently teaching in inner city salford so used to rough. Thinking of appyling cos at the mo as i'm living in stockport, DP works abroad for 8-12 weeks at a time and i'm getting a tad sick of busting a gut getting DD to nursery, getting to school, getting home etc. My dad live in south leicestershire, bro in hinckley and sister in warwick si figured move closer to home and get them up to scratch on the grandad, aunt and uncle skills! Budget would be about £250,000-£310,000. Living area needs to be far enough away so i don't see the little buggers out and about outside school. thanks.
Also have DD who is 2 so needs a good nursery and eventually a decent school cos there is no way she is going to a school where I'm working!

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Blessed2 · 03/04/2007 16:16

I live in Kings Heath (the council end) but as I definately would recommend Kings Heath especiall if you need to take the bus as the 50 is very regular (I live on the 35 bus route)! I wouldn't recommend my council end though - my next door neighbour has just got out of prison and his brother is an acholic and has never worked!!!! Moseley is also nice, and Bearwood (Hagley Road end). Also Hall Green (certain bits) but not Acocks Green. I definately wouldn't recommend Lozells, Saltley, Washwood Heath, Chelmsley Wood, or anywhere within 5 miles of Saltley!

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jampot · 03/04/2007 16:13

Saltley

I would head East from Saltley and go for Curdworth/Water Orton, Coleshill, Solihull, or Hall Green

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HoraceWimp · 03/04/2007 16:13

thanks flatmouse, i do aim to please

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flatmouse · 03/04/2007 16:12

(oops was refering to Cat64 and thinking as always - why can't i write something sensible like that?)

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flatmouse · 03/04/2007 16:12

That was such a sensible post !

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HoraceWimp · 03/04/2007 16:12

I think pjsmum has decided to apply for a job elsewhere

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jampot · 03/04/2007 16:11

Whats your budget pjsmum?

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cat64 · 03/04/2007 16:09

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tiredemma · 03/04/2007 16:09

tamworth is bloody awful.

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jampot · 03/04/2007 16:08

i talk like benny from crossroads

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tiredemma · 03/04/2007 16:08

I dont mind being called a Brummie, I love bham. It does piss me off though when people insinuate that I talk like Barry from Auf Weidesehen Pet, when I dont and besides, Barry is from wolverhampton. Not Great Barr. Dur.

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IntergalEGGticWalrus · 03/04/2007 16:07

Oh, i used to go in there, but without telling my mum, who thought it was rough.

I lived on haunch lane for a bit, and there were some rough pubs up there (likethe valley and the warstock)

used to drink in stirchley a lot too

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HoraceWimp · 03/04/2007 16:06

solihull is nice

nutty tamowrth is awful. My aunt lives thwere and they are all inbred. the town smells and is full of rubbish and its just a fragmented community. i hate it, awful awful place

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