Birmingham is one of the UK's largest and most important cities. With an estimated population of approximately 1.3 million, it is one of the UK's most popular expat destinations. The wide range of professional opportunities available and fantastic social life make it the ideal place to settle in. Birmingham is a multicultural city with expats from around the world, providing a range of accommodation options for all tastes and budgets. If you wish to relocate there or recently moved to the city, here are our inside tips for finding a place to stay.
Life in Birmingham
Birmingham is full of life regardless of the time of the day or night. The regenerated canal area is a great place to experience the city's food and pub culture. Bullring & Grand Central was established in 1166 as a market centre, but nowadays, it is more of a multi-space for shopping, dining, and leisure. It has 160 shops across three levels. The New Street Station, also known as the Grand Central, is among the city's many redevelopments.
Good to know:
Birmingham boasts an impressive 35 miles of canals, surpassing even Venice, which has 28 miles of canals.
If you want to escape the city's hustle and bustle, Lickey Hills Country Park in Rednal is a short drive away. The park has a vantage point of the entire city right at the top of Beacon Hill. For more natural beauty, you can spend peaceful hours at the Botanical Gardens, home to rare and exotic plants, without leaving the city. If all you want after a tough day at work is to run, Edgbaston Reservoir offers an easy and short (2.8 km) route around the reservoir. Birmingham is known to have over 500 parks, making it an ideal place for nature lovers.
Students in Birmingham will enjoy a superb student life with several musical and cultural events taking place during their stay. If you've always dreamt of going to the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, there's an English equivalent on Broad Street: Walk of Stars! On this same street, you will also find several nightclubs. Some university campuses are nearby, so you can hang out with your friends and return to your residence safely.
In 2022, the crime rate in Birmingham was 145 crimes per 1,000 people. Make sure to stay cautious and take preventive measures.
Birmingham's most popular neighbourhoods
Perfectly named the “workshop of the world” during the past industrial revolution, Birmingham is home to several old factory buildings that have now been converted into properties, resulting in loft-style living. The following are some of the most popular areas to live in.
The Jewellery Quarter
Located northwest of Birmingham city centre, this neighbourhood was a centre for jewellery trade and other businesses. It was formerly one of the city's most affluent areas. Following the industrial decline, the area has remained static for years but underwent regeneration. Many warehouses and factories have been converted into living spaces, independent businesses, creative workshops, and quirky residential apartments. The Jewellery Quarter has a population of 22,000 people.
Moseley
Located in the south of Birmingham, Moseley is known for its bohemian chic identity with beautiful houses, parks, and traditional parks. One of the most popular parks, Cannon Hills has a grade 2 listed building that hosts various food and music festivals all year round. The award-winning monthly farmer market is also easily accessible from the city centre.
Good to know:
A UK Grade 2 listed building is a structure that, depending on its age, style, and location, is of particular interest and worth preserving.
Edgbaston
Close to Moseley, Edgbaston is a charming and green neighbourhood. It is home to several magnificent buildings and lovely roads. The area includes the University of Birmingham and many botanical gardens. Highfield roads and surrounding areas are great places for trendy bars and restaurants. Edgbaston is primarily popular with young people, artists, and professionals. If you are a cricket fan, Edgbaston is known to host local and international cricket matches.
Kings Heath
Five miles from Birmingham city centre, Kings Heath is known for its 35-acre park. The area was named a “gayborhood” in 2021 and is known for its cafe culture. With cheaper rent and independent shops, Kings Heath is a popular area for students from the University of Birmingham.
Selly Oak
Selly Oak is by far the city's most popular student area. Selly Oak comprises many cheap housing options and is close to the university, so that you will be delighted by the student lifestyle. Besides being close to the city centre and offering excellent transport links, it is also home to many green spaces like Cannon Hill Park. Among its inhabitants, you mostly have young professionals, students, and families.
Harborne
Harborne is known as one of the more affluent areas in Birmingham, making it a popular choice for families due to its village and cosy feel. On top of having nearby private and public schools in the surroundings, the neighbourhood has independent shops and restaurants to offer.
Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield was originally a royal town and is famous for its affluent lifestyle. Several football players are known to reside there. This neighbourhood, located north of the city centre, is known as Europe's largest urban park. Sutton Coldfield has different arts groups residents can join to meet new people and explore creative hobbies.
Tip:
To get an even better feeling about each neighbourhood, we advise you to connect with other expats in Birmingham via our friendly Birmingham forum and ask them about their experiences regarding housing in and around the city.
Types of accommodation in Birmingham
Your choice of accommodation will be influenced by various factors like the length of your stay, your budget, taste, etc. Many apartments, detached and semi-detached houses, and terrace houses are available for rent. Students can also find student residences, shared apartments, and well-equipped studios that meet their needs while studying in Birmingham. Rent prices are likely to vary from one area to another, as well as the type of accommodation and the number of rooms.
In overview, the average rent for a property in Birmingham is per calendar month. You can expect to pay an average of £660 per month for a room and up to £2,200 for a five-bedroom property.
Housing in Birmingham is readily available, but you must be quick not to miss the best opportunities. Make sure to carry out thorough research about the neighbourhood and the property you want to rent. You are also advised to follow the following steps:
- prepare all necessary documents;
- set up email notifications for available properties you might be interested in;
- search for apartments online and visit real estate agencies;
- call property owners;
- arrange a visit as quickly as possible;
- express your interest and close the deal early.
When searching for accommodation in Birmingham, you have a wide range of options at your disposal. Some of the most common include exploring online property listing websites, consulting local real estate agents, and contacting local communities or forums for recommendations. Zoopla, Rightmove, and Gumtree are the general go-to options to find accommodation in the UK, and Birmingham is no exception to the rule.
Useful links:
Rightmove Rental property search engine
Gumtree private renting search for an apartment and flatshares
Additionally, don't overlook university accommodation services, which can be valuable for students, and consider Birmingham's diverse neighbourhoods to find the best fit for your lifestyle and preferences. Expat.com has a dedicated page for those seeking a house in Birmingham.
Good to know:
The University of Birmingham has a Guarantee scheme, which means all undergraduates, international postgraduates, study abroad students, and exchange students are guaranteed a room; 93% of students receive their preferred room type as long as they apply before the deadline.
Here is a list of useful links for student accommodation:
Student Accommodation Birmingham
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
