Birmingham

Birmingham is located in the West Midlands in the heart of England. Often described as England’s second city it is a hub of business, tourism and importantly – is home to Cadburys dairy chocolate. Our Birmingham Area Guide looks at the residential regions of the city centre. These areas can be broken down into several quarters and are currently undergoing some exciting regeneration. As well as this, it explores the best places to live in Birmingham and reviews from residents who own or rent in Birmingham.

Birmingham residents, or Brummies, provide a welcoming home to new visitors and old. Birmingham’s history is built on its industrial power and majestic waterways, music, shopping and culture.

4.82
Average Location Score

Excellent

85%

Very Good

12%

Average

3%

Disappointing

0%

Very Poor

0%

Best places to live in Birmingham

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

New flats behind a train line

Getting Around Birmingham

Birmingham city is very much at the heart of the UK. It thrives off links to all the major motorways with links to the M5, M6, M40 and M42 via the Spaghetti Junction. As a transport hub with national bus and train links and a smart new tram system, Birmingham is easily connected to the rest of the UK. Also, Birmingham’s Finance district highest number of insurance and finance businesses outside of London. With a number of luxury offices with restaurants, cafés or commercial outlets there are also a growing number of residential apartments.

Old canal building in front of Office blocks in Birmingham, West Midlands

The Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter dates back over 250 years and is home to more than 500 jewellery retailers making it one of the largest concentrations of jewellery businesses in Europe. The JQ, as it’s known locally, is home to bars, independent restaurants and creative businesses. The Jewellery Quarter home to Islington Gates and Regency Place is often described as the perfect place to work, rest and play.

 

“Close to the city centre and canal side. Love the view.” Anon, Verified Resident of Islington Gates

East Side

Birmingham’s East Side is undergoing some of the most active redevelopment. A number of parks, office buildings and luxury apartments are being built whilst incorporating some of its old charm. As well as this, the Hs2 link offering fast speed connections to London will be arriving into Curzon Street Station. Not far from the Bullring shopping centre is Digbeth, also known as the Irish Quarter and Birmingham’s creative district. With galleries, music venues, and independent shops, this area of Birmingham is home to the famous Custard Factory.

Birmingham's new library

China Town

China Town, more formally known as Southside, perfectly sums up much of Birmingham multi-cultural charm. With clubs, shops, residential apartments like Madison House and The Forum as well as a multitude of restaurant. Also, this area incorporates The gay village, Chinese quarter and Hippodrome theatre.

 

“I think the area is quite fine. As it is close to the city centre, I find it very accessible and convenient to get around. There are also lots of shops and restaurants nearby.” James, Verified Resident of The Forum

The City Centre

If you are, however, looking for canal side living and a huge variety of leisure facilities then the west side of the Birmingham City Centre, home to Liberty Place, is the area for you. The Brindley Place area contains international entertainment centres including: The International Convention Centre, Symphony Hall and Sealife Centre. The Gun Quarter which previously supported the productions of guns now has a number of unconverted buildings ripe for conversion. As such this is an area undergoing a lot of change and is forecasted to be one of the best areas to rent in Birmingham.

 

“Good area, classed as city centre but outside city centre. Close to nice bars and restaurants. Don’t need to use buses or trains you can easily everywhere.” Anon, Verified Resident of Liberty Place

 

You can find out more about living in Birmingham by reading reviews from residents. Click on the developments below to find out more about residents’ experiences and discover great places to rent in Birmingham. Although, if there’s a Birmingham property that you can’t see on HomeViews,  you can add a new listing and leave your review here.

Reviews in Birmingham

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Good place to live

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jul 2024

Good: professional management, security, gym and many others
Bad: furniture quality, neighbourhood starting after Gilders Yard building car park entry

Please review your development:

Everything is perfect on our development except furniture quality. Location, professional management, mail room, gym, isolation quality of walls, fully high quality kitchen material, storage rooms, bathroom designs, hard floor on every room are perfect things. Only problem is bed frames, bed mattresses and sofa are not comfortable and low quality

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

All good, even better than our expectations. We like Gilders Yard

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Quickly and professionally. All requests addressed

5
Facilities
4
Design
4
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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The building management is great

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jul 2024

You have LIDL and Tesco in both sides, and can get there in 10 minutes walking. You won’t have a lot of other shop options though, no restaurants, or coffee place, you’d have to get to city centre for that. There’s parking, bin room, hallways are always clean, it’s next to the road, but traffic noise isn’t bad as the walls are thick.

Please review your development:

The building management is great, the environment are kept clean with constant cleaning, things get fixed in good time. Design is pet and children friendly with a small park. No antisocial behavior, it’s usually pretty much quiet and peaceful. Management organizes events and activities from time to time to build community.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The o my thing would have been the proximity to a gym, but that’s being fixed with an onsite gym.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

They contacted me within 24 hours to have it looked at and fixed.

5
Facilities
5
Design
4
Location
5
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of  Soho Wharf, B18
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Modern Urban living at it’s best

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jul 2024

Good Aspects:
Local Shops and Restaurants: Soho Wharf offers a range of local shops, including convenience stores, boutiques, and supermarkets. The area is known for its diverse culinary scene, with numerous restaurants offering various cuisines.
Open Spaces: Proximity to parks and green spaces like Edgbaston Reservoir and Summerfield Park provides opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation.
Transport Links: Soho Wharf benefits from good transport links. It’s close to major road networks like the A41, and there are several bus routes providing easy access to the city center. The Jewellery Quarter train station is also nearby, offering convenient rail connections.

Bad Aspects:
Traffic and Noise: Being close to major roads can lead to traffic congestion and noise, especially during peak hours.
Parking Availability: Parking can be challenging, with limited on-street parking spaces. Residents may find it difficult to secure a spot, particularly in the evenings.
Bin Collections: While bin collections are generally reliable, some residents have reported occasional delays and issues with litter.
Anti-social Behaviour: Like many urban areas, there can be instances of anti-social behavior, including noise disturbances and occasional petty crime. However, this varies and is often dependent on specific streets and times.
Overall, Soho Wharf offers a vibrant and convenient urban living experience with its variety of amenities and transport links. However, potential residents should consider the drawbacks like traffic, parking issues, and occasional anti-social behavior.

Please review your development:

Soho Wharf Development in Birmingham offers a modern living experience with a mix of contemporary design and urban convenience. The architectural design is sleek, featuring a blend of high-rise and mid-rise buildings with stylish facades and well-planned layouts. The use of high-quality materials and attention to detail is evident, providing a visually appealing environment for residents.

Facilities:
The development boasts an array of amenities aimed at enhancing the quality of life. Residents can enjoy well-maintained communal gardens, providing a green oasis in the urban setting. There are also fitness centers and possibly swimming pools, which cater to health and wellness needs. Secure bike storage and underground parking add to the convenience, making it ideal for both cyclists and car owners.

Building Management:
Building management is generally professional, with staff ensuring that communal areas are kept clean and secure. Maintenance requests are typically handled promptly, and there is often a 24-hour concierge service to assist residents with various needs. The management’s proactive approach in organizing community events and ensuring security measures contributes to a sense of community and safety.

Property Management:
Property management services are usually efficient, dealing with tenancy issues, rent collection, and property inspections in a timely manner. They maintain good communication with tenants, providing regular updates and addressing concerns effectively. However, like many developments, some residents may experience occasional delays in maintenance or minor disputes, but these are often resolved satisfactorily.

Overall, Soho Wharf Development offers a high standard of living with its modern design, comprehensive facilities, and effective management. While there are occasional hiccups, the overall experience is positive, making it a desirable place to live in Birmingham.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Before moving into Soho Wharf Development, I wish I had known about the occasional noise levels from the nearby major roads and ongoing construction projects in the area. While the location is highly convenient, the traffic noise can be a bit intrusive at times, especially during peak hours.

Insights and Tips:
Traffic Noise: If you’re sensitive to noise, consider choosing an apartment facing away from the main roads. Higher floors also tend to be quieter.
Parking Availability: Secure a parking spot early, as on-street parking can be limited, particularly in the evenings.
Community Engagement: Get involved in community events organized by building management. It’s a great way to meet neighbors and stay informed about any local developments or changes.
Bin Collections: Be aware of the bin collection schedule to avoid any inconvenience. Occasionally, collections can be delayed, so it’s good to stay on top of it.
Local Amenities: Explore the local shops and restaurants. There are many hidden gems around that you might miss on a typical viewing.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

It takes some time to get anything fixed. May be a week or two. There’s always a delay.

5
Facilities
4
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of  Soho Wharf, B18
User submitted image of  Soho Wharf, B18
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Fantastic modern, pet friendly development

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jul 2024

The developed is very well located and is perfect for a short walk to the city center for work but equally well connected for public transport with close tram and bus stops, or if you commute via car the traffic in and out even at peak times is never an issue. Sherborne Place perfectly balances the proximity to bars, resteraunts and any ammenity you could need with quiet and calm living.

Please review your development:

Fantastic modern, pet friendly development with incredibly helpful and friendly staff that never fail to answer any questions you might have or help in any way that they can. Charlotte, Ky and Zoe go above and beyond to make living in Sherborne Place the best it can be. There is a great sense of community in Sherborne thanks to the many residents events and fantastic communal areas.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had of known about Sherborne alot sooner!

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Response to any of the problems has been fantastic.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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