The city of Birmingham is one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom. It has a population of 1.1 million and continues to attract many expatriates thanks to its professional opportunities and favorable social environment.

Where to live in Birmingham

Birmingham has affectionately been dubbed the "workshop of the world" during the Industrial Revolution and has many old factory buildings being converted into housing, contributing to the advent of the loft as a place to live. It is the second largest city in the country and offers a wide choice of neighborhoods. Here are the most wanted neighborhoods:

The Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter was the center of Birmingham's Jewellery industry as well as other activities and was once a wealthy neighborhood. Following its post-industrial decline, the district has stagnated for many years but is now undergoing renovation, with many old warehouses and factories being converted into living spaces or retail outlets. The district currently has 6,000 inhabitants and is home to many trendy bars and restaurants.

Moseley

Moseley has been awarded the UK's best living by the Sunday Times newspaper in 2015. A deserved title considering its village-like atmosphere, bourgeois-bohemian identity, beautiful homes, its traditional pubs and parks. Cannon Hill is just one of the nearby parks and is home to a Level II protected building, hosting culinary and music festivals throughout the year. Mosely also has an award-winning monthly market for its farm products and offers easy access to the city center. The neighborhood is extremely sought after and quite expensive.

Edgbaston

This leafy area is near Mosely and features roads and beautiful buildings. The University of Birmingham, a large cistern and the Botanical Gardens are also part of the landscape of this district. Highfield Road and the surrounding area provide a great setting for popular restaurants and trendy bars.

Kings Heath

Also near Moseley, King’s Heath has its own character and offers much more affordable housing. The small main street includes grocery stores and traditional shops and the surrounding area includes many shops, cafes, pubs and famous bars. The neighborhood has a strong culture of food markets, a food market held regularly on the main street. King’s Heath is also near two parks.

Selly Oak

Selly Oak is the student district of Birmingham thanks to its affordable townhouses and its proximity to the University. Some families and young workers also live in the neighborhood, but if you choose to live there, know that it is the student lifestyle that predominates in the neighborhood. There are many green spaces near Selly Oak, including Cannon Hill Park, and downtown is easily accessible.

Harborne

Harborne is a little further from the city center, but offers a wide variety of good quality restaurants and independent bars that give it a youthful, urban feel.

Sutton Coldfield

Originally a royal city, the district is known to be very opulent, being especially the election district footballers. There is also a direct rail link to the center of Birmingham, as well as many good restaurants, shops and bars.

Types of housing in Birmingham

The accommodation you choose will depend largely on the length of your stay, your tastes and your means. Birmingham offers many apartments, terraced houses, semi-detached and individual. If you are a student, you can opt for a student residence or a room in a student house. Rents were once very affordable in the city but are now increasing very rapidly. They vary according to the neighborhood, the type of housing and the number of rooms.

Find accommodation in Birmingham

There are a lot of accommodations available in Birmingham, but they are free and busy so quickly. In-depth research, good responsiveness and the proactive approaches listed below are essential to finding accommodation in Birmingham:
  • Make sure you have all the necessary documents
  • Set up email alerts for properties that match your criteria
  • Search at least once a day, on the Internet and in real estate agencies
  • Call your contacts instead of contacting them by e-mail
  • Visit as soon as possible
  • Confirm quickly that you wish to rent the accommodation