A guide to living in West Midlands

Excellent

77.4%

Very Good

16.1%

Average

4.7%

Disappointing

0.9%

Very poor

0.9%

Best places to live in West Midlands

How is ranking calculated?

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and the amount of verified reviews over the past 12 months.

Viewing 1-5 out of 217

Rental Only

Makers Place, B3

By Moda Living

5

5.00

(35 reviews)

Makers Place is home to 722 thoughtfully crafted apartments, designed to feel personal, considered and genuinely connected to their surroundings. Set within one of Birmingham’s most storied neighbourhoods, Makers Place puts you right in the rhythm of the Jewellery Quarter – independent cafés and bars, working studios, historic streets, and a strong local community all on your doorstep. This is a walkable, characterful part of the city where creativity and everyday life sit side by side. Life here extends beyond your front door. Residents have access to a bespoke 24-hour gym and studio, private dining room, screening room, library, curated resident lounges, considered co-working spaces and a games room and more – all designed to support how people live, work, gather, and unwind. Through local partnerships, resident events and a warm, hands-on service, Makers Place helps you settle in quickly - not just to an apartment, but to a neighbourhood that feels lived-in, welcoming, and real.
1st

Ranked 1st out of 134 in West Midlands

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The Octagon, B3

By Allsop Letting and Management

4.97

4.97

(62 reviews)

A striking architectural statement nestled in a prime location. The Octagon offers a collection of luxury 1,2- and 3-bedroom apartments over 45 floors. Blending timeless elegance with contemporary design. Featuring refined interiors, premium finishes, and exclusive amenities, it offers a sophisticated lifestyle tailored for discerning residents. Every detail reflects luxury, privacy, and comfort at its finest.
2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 134 in West Midlands

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Award Winner 2025

The Mercian, B15

By Moda Living

Award winner 2025

4.93

4.93

(755 reviews)

The Mercian offers 481 stunning apartments over 42 storeys. Located on the former site of The Click Club, it is the tallest residential tower in Birmingham. As well as great amenities and views, it offers a 200-metre rooftop running track!
3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 134 in West Midlands

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Award Winner 2025

Loudon's Yard, B16

By Moda Living

Award winner 2025

4.9

4.90

(148 reviews)

Our newest neighbourhood in Birmingham - Moda, Loudon's Yard. 398 new homes, beautifully landscaped gardens and state-of-the-art amenities. Located less than a mile from Birmingham city centre. Our neighbourhood sits adjacent to Edgbaston Village... a vibrant retail, leisure and lifestyle district.
4th

Ranked 4th out of 134 in West Midlands

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Award Winner 2025

Corkfield, B5

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.85

4.85

(148 reviews)

Corkfield is the place to put down roots, grow and thrive. Designed for those who want to work, live and play all under one roof, we’ve cultivated a vibrant, close-knit community right on the edge of the city. With 375 studio 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, stunning views and a wealth of amenities right on your doorstep. Whether you need room for two, three or a mini-me (on two legs or four) – Corkfield is a community to call your own. The scheme is a stone’s throw from various schools, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and excellent transport links.
5th

Ranked 5th out of 134 in West Midlands

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Featured developments in West Midlands

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Latest Reviews in West Midlands

5796 total reviews

Viewing 1-5 out of 5796

Reviews marked with a green tick show tenants whose residency we have been able to verify. Those that could not be verified are marked 'unverified'.

Shao H (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Forum, B5

Sept 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

Fantastic living

Shao H (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Forum, B5

Sept 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

There are plenty of great cafés, restaurants, and two food halls nearby, so you'll have lots of options to choose from. The location is super convenient too, with New Street Station and bus stops just around the corner. You're also only a short walk from the Bullring and Tesco Express, making shopping and day-to-day essentials really easy.

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

Yes, the building management always gets back to us within a day.

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

I wish I had known in advance that the apartment does not come with a microwave, but that is only a minor issue. Overall, we have really enjoyed living here. The application process was quick and straightforward, and our experience has been very positive.


・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Keith & Eric (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Makers Place, B3

Sept 2026

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

Try it, you’ll like it

Keith & Eric (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Makers Place, B3

Sept 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

What really makes this property is the people - notably Eve who goes above and beyond on a daily basis, Stacey who always has a welcome and a smile. At night Moses and Peter are also constantly there for us as well as keeping us safe and making sure the building runs smoothly. Tom is an amazing part of the team and deserves credit as he works hard to keep everything clean and tidy, adding to the homely experience.

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

Yes - the small amount of issues have been resolved quickly and Charlotte and Sophie have been quick to respond and easy to contact

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

How great the staff are - the people we’ve mentioned have made our stay worthwhile. How well equipped the gym is!


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HomeViews

Rupali (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Pioneers, CV23

Sept 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

A lovely place to live ! Excellent property management!

Rupali (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Pioneers, CV23

Sept 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

We’ve really enjoyed living in Houlton /Allsop. The development has a lovely feel, with green spaces and a welcoming neighbourhood that makes it feel like home.

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

Very prompt always ! Especially since Lynn has started - she’s really changed the experience, slightly bumpy before that.

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

Nothing really - just so peaceful and amazing. Cannot think of any faults really !

Manager response

Thank you, Rupali, for your wonderful review. We're delighted to hear that you're enjoying life at Houlton and that Lynn has made such a positive impact on your experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with her. Thank you for recommending us, and we're thrilled to have you as part of the community!

Posted by

Maryam Bham, Senior Operations

Sept 2026


・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Maariyah Mahmed (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Makers Place, B3

Sept 2026

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

Luxurious new apartments

Maariyah Mahmed (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Makers Place, B3

Sept 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The area is perfect, it’s a quiet and safe area that has nice coffee shops and restaurants close by. It’s also very close to city centre and Colmore row is just across the road which is a really nice area with good restaurants and coffee shops.

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

Very well whatever issues I’ve had they sort out as quickly as possible

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

The views from the tower Newhall is beautiful and the tram stop St Chads is very close by


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HomeViews

Rawan (Tenant)

Unverified

Makers Place, B3

Sept 2026

5
5
This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.
5

Modern, Comfortable Living in a Fantastic Location

Rawan (Tenant)

Unverified

Makers Place, B3

Sept 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I really enjoy living in this area. It is conveniently located, with a great selection of shops, supermarkets, restaurants and cafés within easy reach. The transport links are excellent, making it easy to travel around Birmingham and commute to university. The neighbourhood feels modern, welcoming and well-maintained, with lovely surroundings and nearby open spaces. The street is generally pleasant, with manageable traffic noise and good accessibility. Overall, it is a fantastic location, particularly for students and young professionals, offering a great balance between city-centre convenience and comfortable residential living.

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

I’ve only recently moved in, but my experience so far has been lovely! I had the pleasure of meeting Eve for the first time today, and she was absolutely amazing. She was incredibly kind, friendly and approachable, and went out of her way to make sure my enquiry was resolved quickly and efficiently. I really appreciated how attentive and helpful she was, especially as someone who has just moved in and is still settling into a new environment. Her warm personality and professionalism made such a positive first impression, and it’s reassuring to know that the building has such wonderful staff who genuinely care about their residents. The building itself is beautiful, modern and welcoming, and Eve’s exceptional customer service has made my experience even better. A huge thank you to Eve for being so lovely and making me feel welcome!

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

As I’ve only recently moved in, I’m still getting familiar with everything, but one thing I wish I had known beforehand is just how welcoming and helpful the staff are! Moving into a new apartment can feel overwhelming, especially when settling into a new city, but the team has made the experience much easier. My advice to new residents would be to never hesitate to approach the staff with any questions or enquiries, as they are genuinely friendly and quick to help. I would also recommend taking some time to explore the building and its facilities, as there is so much to appreciate beyond what you initially see during a viewing. Overall, my first impressions have been extremely positive, and I’m excited to call this place home!


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HomeViews

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These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews

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