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

84%

Very Good

12%

Average

3%

Disappointing

1%

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

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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.

Featured developments in Birmingham

Image of Paradise View, B1

Paradise View, B1

VervLife
0.00 (0 reviews) 0.00 (0 reviews)
The Kettleworks, B1

The Kettleworks, B1

SevenCapital
3.98 (36 reviews) 3.98 (36 reviews)
Quartz Apartments, B18

Quartz Apartments, B18

Charles Church
3.99 (12 reviews) 3.99 (12 reviews)
Park Central, B15

Park Central, B15

Crest Nicholson
4.40 (42 reviews) 4.40 (42 reviews)
Regency Place, B1

Regency Place, B1

SevenCapital
4.13 (15 reviews) 4.13 (15 reviews)

Reviews in Birmingham

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Highly recommend!

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Apr 2024

There are tons of grocery stores in the area as well as restaurants. Very good connectivity, right next to bullring.

Please review your development:

The development is great. Everything is really clean and well organized. The team is very kind, supportive and helpful. The facilities are very good – the gym has everything you need. Building is also very aesthetic and there are many places to work.

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

I wish I had known that the flat doesn’t come with a microwave, hoover and iron.

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

All problems have been kindly and promptly resolved

4
Facilities
4
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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10/10 New & Trendy Pet Friendly B2R in Birmingham City!

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Apr 2024

This new & trendy B2R is by the beautiful Sherborne Wharf Canal and hands down… this is the best location to rent with pets in the city as you’re within 10mins walking distance of everything you need. E.g. Alongside the Canal there’s lots of lovely quaint cafes, shops and restaurants.
Also within 10mins walking distance you have, The Bullring and Grand Central, The Gym, Bannatyne Gym (incl. swimming pool), Nuffield Health Centre (incl. swimming pool), Pubs, Restaurants, Morrisons superstore, Sainsburys, Tescos etc. Train station, trams 5-10mins walk. Dog parks 2-3mins walk. I am on the ground floor and although Broad Street with all the busy bars and pubs are just around the corner – it’s so quiet and peaceful which is very impressive! Even Friday and Saturday nights are quiet here, I assume it is because the sound gets drowned out by the canal and the complex is also very well built 🙂

Please review your development:

I just want to say thank you to Charlotte and Ky from the management team for helping me feel at home before I even arrived! I was running so behind for moving day, Charlotte and Ky helped direct the moving van and even look after Ou-La Bear the chow chow which I can’t thank them enough for! Securing an apartment here was a very smooth process – within the first 20mins of enquiring about the rental on rightmove – Charlotte from the management team helped me find the perfect 1 bed spacious apartment (fully equipped kitchen with new dishwasher, bosch grill/oven washer/dryer, with easy access to the large pet friendly communal gardens, bins and secure underground parking. Charlotte just knows! 🙂 The interior looks so modern – always clean and fresh inside and the communal gardens are perfect for the dogs as they have various shrubs, plants and grass to sniff and roll around in! Since living here, the dogs and I have been so happy and the pets here are all as sweet and friendly as their owners :). It’s such a warm community and personally the best place to rent in the city.

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

The Communal Gardens are very spacious, very friendly residents with a warm community feel and the shower pressure is impressive! 🙂

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

I haven’t had any issues to raise yet but I know I can contact the reception at any time and someone will be there to help! 🙂

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of Sherborne Place, B16
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Happy Tenant

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Apr 2024

The staff working there made the difference for me. In particular Anisha, Zain, Victor and Reece but everyone even if I didn’t see there faces over email were very responsive and helpful. Lots of things have been mentioned already but the tram in right outside, Sainsbury’s across the road, easy to get Ubers, no issues with parcel delivery’s. Easy living.

Please review your development:

Overall great experience. Very responsive and helpful staff, easy onboarding / settling in, well maintained clean apartment / building / gym. Most importantly, no matter where you live things are not going to go right 100% of the time but Moda always made things right as quick as possible. I had to leave because I’m working in Manchester now but I would have renewed my lease.

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

£200 apartment reservation fee is not flexible. I reserved an apartment, the next day I went to view it but decided I wanted a bigger apartment. I lost that reservation fee as you can’t change to a different apartment with the same £200 reservation fee. Abit of discretion would have been more sensible in hindsight considering I ended up renting anyway.

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

Yes, my issues raised on the app were always resolved quick and effectively.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Manager Response

Thanks Kyle! We are so pleased that you enjoyed your experience at The Mercian. The team really appreciates your feedback. We wish you all the best in Manchester! Good luck in your next chapter 🙂

Great place

Review Date Apr 2024

Living in Birmingham is a rewarding experience that combines the best of city life with a strong sense of community.

Please review your development:

Living in a modern development offers a lifestyle that blends cutting-edge design, state-of-the-art amenities, and eco-friendly living, creating an environment that’s both luxurious and sustainable. Also good food and events with a good mix of socialising

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

How great it is living in the city and being able to get about

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

Great and always with great professionalism.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of The Mercian, B15
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Manager Response

Thanks T G for taking time to leave review, we are very proud of the building and amenities The Mercian offers. We are pleased that you are enjoying the location and sense of community.

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