Manchester Grammar School or King Edward's School Birmingham

[Lalagu]

My kid has received offers from both schools for Year 7 in the upcoming year. I am wondering which school he should choose. Do you have any insightful ideas? Thanks!

Manchester Grammar School is a great school.

if you’re looking at areas in Manchester/ Stockport I’d focus on -

Heaton Mersey, Heaton Moor, Heaton Chapel
Withington
Didsbury / West Didsbury - although you’d potentially struggle within your budget
Stretford
Chorlton
Sale
Prestwich
Bury

thanks!
i will try to source in these areas

MGS has a large catchment area also covering Cheshire to the south and west of Greater Manchester.
Worth looking on Rightmove with a map at properties on tge bus routes within price range

😊

I was also going to suggest the house that senua suggested - location is perfect for the train, but also good for the bus if that's preferred.

I would look anywhere around the station, and also the other side of the Bristol Road, from Tessall Lane up to the south side of Frankley Beeches Road. These are mainly 1930s semis, but pleasant roads and really good for public transport.

I miss living in that area, in terms of the convenience of public transport. Also, Northfield town centre may not be very attractive but it's got a Home Bargains, a B&M and an Aldi! You're also close to Longbridge town centre with its big M&S and the Lickey and Waseley hills.

Also take bus/train pass costs into account when you're looking. For KES you could look out to Bromsgrove and Droitwich, but the train pass will cost a lot more and the journey is longer. Dd found that friends lived all over, but there was a cluster of kids living around the uni in Edgbaston and Harborne, so living in Northfield was still quite convenient for getting to them. Socialising was often done in town too, which is only 20 mins on the train. We ended up hosting regular sleepovers for dd's friends who lived further away (Wolverhampton/Coventry) and couldn't get back easily in the evening.

Good luck OP! I am biased but would take KES every time: Birmingham is a vibrant fun city and closer to London and all the fun and culture of London and the southern part of the UK. I think KES is better regarded? I grew up in Northfield and went to KEHS - that’s the cause of my bias! I would just add that Solihull is a great location for the school - nice town, accessible by train, check but I am sure they run a school bus there and we were all so jealous of the people who got to go in the Solihull bus. They’re all still a tight knit group of friends decades later.

I would recommend renting for 6-12 months in whichever city you choose rather than committing to buy directly - it's hard to judge where to live from afar (been there, made mistakes)

thanks for your detailed location

Tbh attendees at KEHS and KES live all over the place. There are lots in Solihull and there was definitely the bus mentioned still going 5 years ago. There were pupils from Lichfield, Tamworth, Hampton in Arden, lots of Bromsgrove locations, Barnt Green, Hagley

I think if you go for KES, look at locations with a direct train line to University Station.

I think both cities similar but Manc has a bit more to do. Seriously not much in it. If you go for MGS rent in the city (About 1.5 miles away), close by or on a bus route. People will say it's in a rough area - that was true 15-20 years ago but not really as much now. It's a studenty / not rich area tho

solihull is quite far and checked it absolutely needs to take around one hour in the distance

I often work in Northfield. I like working there.

which street has council houses in there? some ppl recommend me to pick property closed to Manor Farm Park, or the area between Aldi and train station. Thanks!

Just a thought @Lalagu what about your own jobs? Where will you be based and how will you get to work?

i just plan to find any job nearby my new home and i can do anything and ok to get minimum wage

Are you here already? Cost of living is high, although I imagine some things are cheaper than HK. Also be prepared for school fee rises, they went up 8% last year. Hoping not so high this year.

@Lalagu mainly I would avoid the area to the west of the A3 and north of Frankley Beeches Rd.

We used to live on the estate around the Hollymoor Centre to the south or Frankley Beeches Rd. Prices are good there as it’s near some rough areas (Frankley and Longbridge) but we found it self contained and quiet. There’s a bus (61) that runs along Frankley Beeches Rd. It’s also a 20 min walk down to Longbridge station and you’re also close to the cinema and restaurants (and Morrisons) on Great Park.

I meant A38 in my post above

honestly it is really helpful. Indeed I am looking the semi around the Morrison and they match with my budget

i am still in Hong Kong
Yes i know the living cost is not cheap in UK especially the energy price
I have reserved money for kid school fee and some for property
thus my salary expects to pay for my food, energy and miscellaneous
hope it is not hard to find job therr

Minimum wage will not provide for a good standard of living. Have you included council tax, utilities (gas, electricity, water), insurance etc in your property budget?

Presumably her husband will be working too @LIZS . Perhaps he has higher salary prospects.

i think if i can find a minimum wage job then my family can have around 2500-3000 to spend per month (except school fee and rental)