Update and more advice please on moving somewhere south of Birmingham

[susiewong]

I posted a few weeks ago and had loads of fab advice - was looking for advice of areas to stay within a 20min commute of Wythall (south of Birmingham). We have now sold our own house in Scotland (hooray) but it sold within 4 days so I was a bit surprised and then we've been away on holiday so now the rush is on - need to move at the end of July.

We have the following areas in mind and would appreciate any comments of these places...got a trip planned on 13 May so hope to view a load of houses on that trip...

Studley
Balsall Common
Wythall
Warwick
Leamington Spa

Any help would be very much appreciated as this is driving me mad !! Oh and the small matter that I am having a birthday bash this weekend for 70 people and running a 10km next weekend...

thanks

ther was a thread on this very recently
do do wiht catholic shcools as wel afaik

Not much in Balsall Common apart from a very good state secondary school (under Solihull BC). If you were seriously considering this area particularly for the state secondaries, Knowle or Solihull itself is a better place to live imo. There are also plenty of children in Solihull who also attend the state grammars/top independents in Birmingham. Leamington & Warwick are literally separated by a small bridge - I used to live in Leamington (pre-children) which has more/better facilities than Warwick for young families. I seriously doubt whether it's a 20min commute to Wythall from either Warwick/Leamington during rush hour. The state secondaries in Warwickshire are not as good as the ones in Solihull but you get more for your money housing wise. DH used to commute to Solihull/Nec area from Leamington and it's more like 40mins during peak times. DH & I say that if we ever had the opportunity or inclination to move back to the area, we would choose Knowle. Sorry, I can't offer info about either Studley or Wythall itself.

Thanks selby. Knowle comes up time and time again but a bit pricey for us (and what we want for our money). 2 boys are ages 5&8 so primary schools more important just now.
Any particular bits of Solihull you would suggest ?
thanks

I also like Hampton in Arden which is more of a village outside Solihull but you definitely need to recce Solihull itself. I can't help you with the catchment areas since I went to school in Birmingham myself. If your eldest is 8, it's definitely not too early to think about secondary education. Seriously, despite having excellent state schools, a huge number of children take the 11+/CE for schools further afield. If it was me, I would hedge my bets and move into the catchment of a good state secondary and house size would be my compromise but that's me. Good Luck.

If you tell us what you are looking for in terms of price, size, old/new preference and etc I may be able to really narrow it down for you. I live in Solihull (knowle) and agree the price is ridiculous for what you get.

Dickens Heath is a new middleclass housing development with very good primary school, v close proximity to Wythall and Solihull. Consequently when the time comes, you will be able to access either Tudor Grange or Alderbook Secondary schools (both excellent) The house prices are quite reasonable too.
www.dickensheathvillage.com/

If you are looking for excellent primary schools you might want to look in Olton - Oak Cottage school is (I think) top of league tables in S'hull.

Widney Manor area of Solihull gives close proximity to the town centre and rail link to Bham and London. Also very good primary schools and literally just out of the catchment area for Arden Secondary school so in a lower birth year you will probably even get into Arden although Alderbrook or Turdor Grange would be catchment schools.

If you want to link to some of the houses you're looking at we should be able to advise.

HTH