Erdington-Birmingham

[Starfish789]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if any locals
could help. We have moved from the south and are looking at various areas in Birmingham. We have heard mixed views on Erdington.

Some say it is a nice area, others mention lots of gang wars etc? B24 is known for gangs?

I am assuming some parts are better than other. Any locals that could help out as we have seen some houses that interest us, however we have started to feel a bit worried about moving there especially as a family.

thank you!

It's not an area that I personally would want to live in. What other areas are you considering?

I wouldn't, it's quite rough. Sorry.

We are considering quite a few areas tbh.

Selly oak
Hodge hill
hall green
yardley
sheldon
great barr

We are FTB, although we have saved up our budget is not huge around the 170k mark so unfortunately the nicer areas are a bit out of reach for us.

Is erdington a complete no go? Even as a starter home?

It's not an area I would associate with gangs.

Like all Cities, it is going to depend on your budget. You'll get someone come on the thread soon and start suggesting some lovely areas, which - if you are looking at Erdington - you won't be able to afford.
I worked in Erdington for several years and didn't see anything negative. IME, most postcodes, or most suburbs have different areas.

I live in an area that people like to be negative about, but it is lovely where I live.

I think Erdington is fine.

I'd go for Great Barr over Erdington. The high street in Erdington is.... interesting. I guess it all depends where you are moving from really and what your normal is.

Happy to chat if you want to DM me

Thank you for your replies.

@Kite22
Are there any particular areas in Erdington that are known to be rougher than others?

I have lived in B24 and B23. Both were nice properties, technically Erdington, but off Chester Rd.

There are some decent parts, but the main drag has become run down over the years.

If you move out that way you need to look towards the Sutton/Wylde Green side.

Out of your list my preference would be Hall Green with Sheldon next.

Our starter home was New Oscott B23.

Do you need to consider schools also?

@cantthinkofanythingwitty

I'd go for Great Barr over Erdington. The high street in Erdington is.... interesting. I guess it all depends where you are moving from really and what your normal is.

Happy to chat if you want to DM me

Thank you, I will take you up on that as soon as I work out how to DM

What's your budget?

I think you might have to do it on the website rather than app

@middleager

Our starter home was New Oscott B23.

Do you need to consider schools also?

Yes also need to consider schools. It’s really hard at the moment due to the demand and how quickly houses are going. It seems we find a house we like first then look at the schools nearby. Are there any particulary good schools in Erdington?

@middleager

What's your budget?

170k-180 depending on how much work the house needs doing.

I’d avoid the bit of Selly Oak between Athena Bristol Road, Bournbrook Road, Raddlebarn, and Oak Tree Road in Selly Oak - student central and awful during term time. Nowhere to park as each house has a couple of cars, nightmare to get along pavements as bins are HMO-size and massive and left out all the time, not to mention the noise.

I’d add Bearwood and Quinton to your list and Stirtchley. Erdington is frankly awful. I’m not a fan of North Birmingham generally, even the so called posh bits.

Quinton is bland and suburban but with some some amenities and proximity to both Bearwood and Harborne.

Bearwood is a bit down at heel but does have some nice little independents (bookshop, cafes etc) and young families/first time buyers. Lovely Victoria houses near Lightwoods park.

Stirtchley is a hub of little independent shops, bars and cafes. Again, a bit down at heel but some nice houses and a young professional vibe. Close to Bournville for prettier walks and parks as well as amenities in Selly Oak.

Our first house was in B24 Erdington. It was on the Cincinnati estate. The houses off eachlehurst road are quite nice! We were able to sell it within a year and buy a house in Sutton Coldfield just down the road. You could look at Aldridge maybe?

I’ve know Erdington fairly well. Roads around (and including) Somerset Road and Dean Road are popular with FTBs and there’s a small run of shops on Gravelly Lane that are handy. Erdington is no postcard, but nearby Wylde Green is nice for a bite to eat and Sutton Coldfield and Sutton Park are a short drive away.

On the other side of the city, you could consider Bearwood. It’s Sandwell rather than Birmingham, but the council services are better for it. Warley Woods on your doorstep is a real treasure. Good primary schools and the overflow from those priced out in nearby Harborne mean that there’s been a bit of gentrification in the high street (Bearwood Road) too, with a children’s bookshop, a nice coffee house, craft beer house and a yoga studio.

@Greytminds

I’d add Bearwood and Quinton to your list and Stirtchley. Erdington is frankly awful. I’m not a fan of North Birmingham generally, even the so called posh bits.

Quinton is bland and suburban but with some some amenities and proximity to both Bearwood and Harborne.

Bearwood is a bit down at heel but does have some nice little independents (bookshop, cafes etc) and young families/first time buyers. Lovely Victoria houses near Lightwoods park.

Stirtchley is a hub of little independent shops, bars and cafes. Again, a bit down at heel but some nice houses and a young professional vibe. Close to Bournville for prettier walks and parks as well as amenities in Selly Oak.

Thank you for your detailed reply.

I will look at bearwood, had not considered that before.

I don’t want to move any where that is really
quiet/ lack of shops etc. Something that is not to busy or too quiet. Probably doesn’t exist😬.

I'd say Hall Green or Selly Oak are the best on your list (providing you're careful which bit of Selly Oak).
Bearwood is good, Stirchley too.
Maybe Halesowen? Prices are so much lower than Birmingham, even just a little bit outside the authority.

Those that are saying Erdington is not great? What exactly is it if you could pinpoint a few reasons.

Is it run down? It is the location as in lack of amenities. Are the schools not great?

To be honest with your budget you'd struggle to buy on the nicer roads in erdington. There are nice family roads/houses around holly lane, Hollydale road, Ayre road, orphanage road. But I think they will be out your price range. How many bedrooms do you need?

Roads off eachelhurst road with B24 postcode would be a good option. The catchment for Walmley school (it is in Sutton) go out that far. There are some reasonable two bedrooms homes to be found around there.

@Starfish789 most people think of Erdington high street which is run down, bit there is investment planed so this should improve.

There are roads with lots of HMO's which would not be ideal with a family.

There are plenty of good primary schools in Erdington. I'd personally want to move for better secondary provision.

Great Barr had properties around the 170k mark, as does Bearwood. Selly Oak is nice but prices start around 180k (parts of it are student area but lots of family friendly roads as well, close to the hospital and uni so a good mix of people).
Stirchley prices have shot up, I was looking here not long ago and a reasonable three bed semi is about 225k upwards.

I wouldn’t recommend North Birmingham at all.
With your budget look also at stirchley, cotteridge, kings heath & quinton.