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Original poster

Erdington-Birmingham

112 replies

Starfish789 · 26/08/2021 19:05

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!

OP posts:
TheGirlInTheGreenDress · 26/08/2021 23:10

You’ve also got Cotteridge Park and Bournville for walks, big Sainsbury’s in Longbridge and Selly Oak (if you have a car), Morrison’s at the other end of Stirchley which is on the bus route / just about walkable, and nice places for food and drink in Stirchley and Bournville. There’s also Northfeild not too far which has got home bargains, Wilko, Argos, and B&M which will be useful if you’re moving and need to do up the house on a budget, as well as a Wickes in Stirchley. There’s also a furniture shop in Stirchley called Noct Offs (don’t know how true to their name they are) and a carpet place with a massive gorilla on the roof that’s pretty cheap.

Original poster
Starfish789 · 26/08/2021 23:26

Thank you everyone for taking out the time to reply. Definately have a few things to think about.

OP posts:
bonfireheart · 26/08/2021 23:35

Hi OP, would really recommend visiting thr places you've narrowed down. A lot of people have mentioned Stirchley and whilst I go there alot because I love Cotteridge Park I do find Stirchley itself has a weird vibe.

bonfireheart · 26/08/2021 23:37

Also living in Hodge Hill, I can't imagine you finding anything in your budget.

Orang3ry · 26/08/2021 23:42

To be honest I’d carry on saving. Sounds like you may struggle to get somewhere decent in the type of areas you’re looking for. People mentioning Stirchley/Moseley/Kings Heath/Bearwood/Cotteridge are mad to think you’d get anywhere near a nice 3 bed house for under £300k.

CrocodilesCry · 26/08/2021 23:45

I'd avoid Erdington at all costs - I'm sorry. I used to work there - it's awful.
Bearwood is going to be out of your price range for a three bed, as will Bromsgrove, Halesowen and likely Quinton unless you wanted to buy something needing a lot of work.
Would a bit further out the other way towards Dudley be a possibility?

Didiusfalco · 26/08/2021 23:53

I lived in Erdington until a year ago and still work in a secondary there. I don’t agree it’s no more affected by gangs than anywhere. Unless you think everywhere is quite affected by gangs - Shooting in Goosemoor Lane, murder in park by Witton Lakes, 14 year old lad stabbed and killed in broad daylight by the college road (still B23, Erdington postcode). Apparently something to do with the gangs being embargoed from Handsworth and moving out into Erdington. I feel like the area declined over the 10 or so years I lived there. With that amount of money, I think Great Barr is much better, particularly if you can get in the area around Barr Beacon secondary, they get great results. Aldridge also much nicer and safer. I can’t really comment on south Birmingham. Unfortunately even in Birmingham the amount you’re talking about isn’t much for a three bed house.

Original poster
Starfish789 · 26/08/2021 23:55

We did consider whether we should carry on saving…however there is the issue of being priced out especially with how the market is right now. We are looking to stay inside Birmingham.

@CrocodilesCry what was bad about erdington when you worked there?

We could strech the budget slightly if the house didn’t need any work, but it seems most houses need some kind of renovation.

Definately going to look at Great Barr.
Pretty sure I’ve spent the majority of my evening on Zoopla. Hmm

OP posts:
user1471530109 · 26/08/2021 23:55

I may be thinking of the wrong place, but I thought Hodge hill had a terrible reputation? Sorry, OP, but I didn't think Erdington had a good one either. But I don't know it personally.

OP, I moved about 6 years ago and I had a similar issue to you. I worked and wanted to live in one area, but couldn't afford the house size I needed. The two areas on your list many haven't mentioned are Sheldon and south Yardley (I think S Yardley is nicer than Yardley personally). Both have a good reliable bus service into the city centre. Also easy to get to train at olton or acocks green (from S Yardley). A couple of the primaries are v sought after (or were). It's also v close to Solihull and lots of green space. Little free farm for your toddler too at Sheldon park.

House prices have increased recently, but I'm sure there are still bargains to be had. Avoid the Radleys (nr Sheldon) and the close area. I think the area on the side of the A45 towards Solihull centre (so south of A45) is probably slightly nicer tbh. But don't let that make you discount anything on the other side. Plenty of nice roads. You need to go and visit. You can't tell online.

user1471530109 · 26/08/2021 23:58

Hall Green is lovely but out of your budget I would have thought. Good schools though if you find one.

Original poster
Starfish789 · 27/08/2021 00:00

@user1471530109

I may be thinking of the wrong place, but I thought Hodge hill had a terrible reputation? Sorry, OP, but I didn't think Erdington had a good one either. But I don't know it personally.

OP, I moved about 6 years ago and I had a similar issue to you. I worked and wanted to live in one area, but couldn't afford the house size I needed. The two areas on your list many haven't mentioned are Sheldon and south Yardley (I think S Yardley is nicer than Yardley personally). Both have a good reliable bus service into the city centre. Also easy to get to train at olton or acocks green (from S Yardley). A couple of the primaries are v sought after (or were). It's also v close to Solihull and lots of green space. Little free farm for your toddler too at Sheldon park.

House prices have increased recently, but I'm sure there are still bargains to be had. Avoid the Radleys (nr Sheldon) and the close area. I think the area on the side of the A45 towards Solihull centre (so south of A45) is probably slightly nicer tbh. But don't let that make you discount anything on the other side. Plenty of nice roads. You need to go and visit. You can't tell online.

I have been looking at sheldon. Didn’t know that south Yardly was nicer, will keep my eyes peeled for anything that pops up around there.

what are the radleys and the close area? Sorry is that an area in Sheldon or Road?

OP posts:
MsShopper · 27/08/2021 00:00

Fair point - £170k is tight in Bearwood (I can’t speak for the other areas) depending on the size/spec/street. But there are decent family homes to be had at around that price, eg:
Alexander Road £170k: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/80998842
Pargeter Road £180k: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90701155
Hamilton Road £185k: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/104370896

jendifer · 27/08/2021 00:00

You may be okay in Quinton - friends have bought on/off Quinton road west for under 150. It used to have a bad reputation but I’ve worked there for years and it’s definitely changed. Ditto also shenley fields/Weoley castle/Bartley green. It’s all what I would describe as “fine”. It’s not MN fine but there are some nice parks, mixture of schools and it’s easy to get out of bham. You’d take a while on the bus in to town tho.

Other options as others have said - kings norton or cotteridge, although probably the druids Heath side. Not sure if you’d get anywhere in Hollywood but might be worth looking. Schools there come under Worcestershire . Or how about Redditch?

Bear wood has a nice feel, I live by light woods park for years. It has the feeling of almost being up and coming! Hall Green is fine but Hall Green primary is massive.

JuneOsborne · 27/08/2021 00:01

What about slightly further out and look at Redditch. Fairly straightforward drive commute and the train will get you into town too.

Original poster
Starfish789 · 27/08/2021 00:06

[quote MsShopper]Fair point - £170k is tight in Bearwood (I can’t speak for the other areas) depending on the size/spec/street. But there are decent family homes to be had at around that price, eg:
Alexander Road £170k: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/80998842
Pargeter Road £180k: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90701155
Hamilton Road £185k: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/104370896[/quote]
thanks, they look okay for the price. Does Bearwood and Smethwick overlap. I have been avoiding Smethwick as I keep hearing negative things about the area.

OP posts:
user1471530109 · 27/08/2021 00:09

OP, the Radleys is a rd. I always feel about on edge when I drive up that way. I'd avoid if you see houses near there in budget.
South Yardley is made up of about 3 roads going south off the A45. Gilberstone Rd, Steynig and Clay Lane. There are also lots of little rds and cul de sacs off them. Borders acocks green, Solihull and Sheldon.
Sheldon is much bigger so more difficult to give roads as such. But I know various people in that area and all seem to live along nice roads. I've never felt unsafe with them when walking around etc.

converseandjeans · 27/08/2021 00:09

I don't think Erdington is too nice - what about Aldridge, Streetly or nicer parts of Walsall?

CrocodilesCry · 27/08/2021 00:10

I think above poster has spelled it out OP, but I wouldn't feel safe walking around in Erdington, let alone living there.

Above links to Alexander Road etc above are areas worth a look - not really Bearwood but certainly the better side of it, you'll be looking at £185k+ for a semi, a little less for a terrace.

user1471530109 · 27/08/2021 00:11

Someone has mentioned Hollywood and I think that's worth looking at too. I know a few people who as FTB moved there and it looks nice Smile

CrocodilesCry · 27/08/2021 00:13

Bearwood is part of Smethwick - Bearwood really is the roads around Bearwood Road before the Birmingham border.
Widen your search from there towards Oldbury and you may find something - roads mentioned in the links above are all ok (and certainly a lot safer than Erdington)

MsShopper · 27/08/2021 00:18

Bearwood is in Smethwick the borough, but it was originally part of Birmingham. Smethwick ‘proper’ is a couple of miles north of Bearwood. I don’t know it really, other than hearing similar to what you’ve probably heard. Bearwood is known as the ‘posh’ part of Smethwick apparently! (Anyone from Harborne - just south of Bearwood - would spit out their tea at that, but they don’t have Warley Woods - or an Aldi. Grin)

user1471530109 · 27/08/2021 00:20

Prices have really skyrocketed OP Sad. I'm struggling to find anything in your budget yet only a few years ago, you'd have had loads of choice.

I think you may have to compromise on bedrooms or even a flat. Don't buy the right sized house in the wrong area. Before committing, maybe ask on here? Good luck Flowers

BluebellsGreenbells · 27/08/2021 00:31

Where do you need to get to for work etc?

Original poster
Starfish789 · 27/08/2021 00:35

@BluebellsGreenbells

Where do you need to get to for work etc?
Work - city centre
OP posts:
Original poster
Starfish789 · 27/08/2021 00:36

@user1471530109

Prices have really skyrocketed OP Sad. I'm struggling to find anything in your budget yet only a few years ago, you'd have had loads of choice. I think you may have to compromise on bedrooms or even a flat. Don't buy the right sized house in the wrong area. Before committing, maybe ask on here? Good luck Flowers
Yes we looked at moving a few years ago, and at that time you could get far more for alot cheaper.
OP posts: