Houses in Birmingham have become so unaffordable

[Rookie23]

Been looking for a property to buy now for well over a year in Birmingham but constantly keep being outbid on everything decent.
Got an above asking offer turned down today on a flat and I really don’t think I can take another rejection 😩

Other than the overly expensive Edgbaston, harborne, Moseley, kings Heath, bournville & Selly oak,
What other locations are decent & fairly safe to buy in with a 190k budget please?
Looking for 2 bed minimum, somewhere with good bus links, a grocery store nearby and preferably freehold

Would you consider other areas on the Birmingham border like quinton/oldbury etc? I’ve found property to be a bit cheaper if you head more into the Black Country

Water Orrin - trains into Birmingham
Castle Bromwich
Selly Oak
Or even try Droitwich?

Erdington? Tile Cross? Stechford, Sheldon?

@Rookie23 If you’re considering 2 bed flats, you could look around Olton, Solihull area.

This is on a really nice road, close to shops plus a short walk to direct bus or train into Birmingham.

Lichfield & Sutton both on the cross city line. Streetly? Wylde Green?

@Musicsoundsbetteronvinyl I used to live on St Bernard's Rd!

On Zoopla at the moment there are some terraced houses in Yardley and a flat on Moor Green Lane - only had a quick glance.

As a born and bred local I would look in those areas with that budget.

I don't know Great Barr/Erdington so can't comment on those.

Hey OP have a look at Bearwoood - up and coming very cool like Stirchley/kings heath.

Further afield have a look at Longbridge/Rubery. Super quick on the train to the centre and you also have a great shopping area with Herbert’s yard for street food which is a great addition :)

Just looked on Rightmove and all the Bearwood addresses come under Smetwick so just have a look on maps and you’ll see many are close to Bearwood high street.

Cotteridge.

I'd also say Bearwood and Quinton. Oldbury too but can be expensive. But if you're looking at flats do try outskirts of Harborne and Moor Pool.

Thanks so much everyone will have a look at these areas ☺️

I second Cotteridge, Northfield and Longbridge, all with easy access to the city centre.

Very handy for the West Warwicks sports club too! I used to get my hair cut on Olton Parade and catch the bus into Solihull from behind there

I'll be selling a 2bed semi in the Brierley Hill area in the next few weeks, walking distance to the train station straight into the city centre.

Another for Bearwood/Quinton/Oldbury - lots of cheaper properties and good links into city centre and onto the motorway if you need to commute further afield. Lots of nice parks and around Bearwood in particular has a nice family, community vibe if that's what you need/want to consider for the future.

There is no train station in Brierley Hill.

It's Cradley Heath train station, sorry I didn't specify the name.

Oh I see. Yes, Cradley Heath would be a quick journey into Birmingham by train.

You have to look outside of Birmingham nowadays, if you want anything decent and can't afford the like a of kings heath etc. I think bearwood is a good call and a pp mentioned olton - that's a great location. Alternatively droitwich / stourbridge/ Worcester should have done houses in your price range and are on the mainline to brum. These last places have the perk of having their own " vibe " - restaurants/ cinema/ theatre/gigs/ masses of bars etc so you get the best of both worlds imo - a train taking you direct into the city centre but all other attractions are on your doorstep and walking distance from your house. ( most affordable properties are in the town centre )