Actually there are some very exclusive areas in Birmingham Harborne, Edgbaston, Sutton Coldfield, Moseley, Selly Park Solihull (kind of Birmingham really) plus some towns on outskirts like Henley in Arden, Alcester really beautiful places with lovely period homes.
I think Birmingham in a whole is great for period homes when I first came here for training (im south london girl raised family still there)I was just keen to get out but 7 year post grad training in ophthalmology
now I'm buying a very lovely and affordable victorian terrace!
However it's really not that bad here with some good schools and great parks... though I have every intention of returning to Sussex (partner has a house there) when I finish as that's where I did my first medical training.
I will always have a soft spot for Birmingham and hopefully a housing connection if I keep it as it has great rental yield with 3 universities, being a big city and upcoming HS2..
Still don't think it's as bad as London prices 6 bed detached 650 in London 