A guide to living in West Midlands

The larger West Midlands region (not to be confused with the smaller County of West Midlands) is made up of seven counties: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. The region is home to urban and industrial centres such as Birmingham and Coventry, as well as vast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the Wye Valley and the Shropshire Hills. Explore new build homes in the West Midlands and hear what residents think about living in this industrious and picturesque region.

Excellent

77.4%

Very Good

16.1%

Average

4.7%

Disappointing

0.9%

Very poor

1.0%

Best places to live in West Midlands

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 217

Rental Only

Makers Place, B3

By Moda Living

5.00

(32 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

(59 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

(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

(147 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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Page 1 of 44

Featured developments in West Midlands

Latest Reviews in West Midlands

5788 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 5788

Shao H (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Forum, B5

Sept 2026

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Fantastic living

Shao H (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Forum, B5

Sept 2026

The building management team has been great. Even with the ongoing building works, they’ve always been professional, happy to answer our questions, and kept us updated with timelines for when facilities are expected to reopen. Kary is especially friendly and helpful. She always gets back to my emails quickly, usually the same day, and is very efficient at sorting out any issues. We also really enjoy the resident events. They’re a great way to make new friends. The monthly brunches and other events are a lovely bonus and have definitely made living here more enjoyable.

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

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!

・・

HomeViews

Rupali (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Pioneers, CV23

Sept 2026

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

A lovely place to live ! Excellent property management!

Rupali (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Pioneers, CV23

Sept 2026

Lyn our lovely property manager has been a huge part of making our experience with Allsop so positive. She really goes above and beyond to help with any issues. She’s always quick to respond, takes the time to listen and follows things through. Having someone so approachable and supportive as a property manager has made everything so easy for us on numerous occasions- she’s such an asset and makes our living here hassle free !

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

John G (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Lloyds Living at Ashlawn Gardens, CV22

Sept 2026

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

This is rated 3.00 out of 5.00.

Modern development in a well-connected location

John G (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Lloyds Living at Ashlawn Gardens, CV22

Sept 2026

The development has a modern design and the houses benefit from good layouts, contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, and generally good levels of natural light. The surrounding area is relatively quiet and the development feels suitable for families. However, some aspects of the new-build finish could have been better, with a number of snagging issues requiring attention. Communication and response times from property management have also been inconsistent, which can be frustrating when issues arise.

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

Rugby has a good range of shops, restaurants, pubs and everyday amenities, with the town centre and Rugby Gateway providing plenty of choice. There are also several parks and open spaces nearby. Transport links are a major benefit, particularly Rugby railway station, with good road connections via the M1, M6 and M45. Traffic can be busy at peak times, but overall the area is convenient and well connected.

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

They have been quick to respond to our issues and have sorted them in a timely manner.

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

I’d recommend checking the small practical details during the viewing, such as storage, parking arrangements, garden space and how the house is positioned. The development is generally quiet and convenient, but these are things that can be difficult to judge from a short viewing.

・・

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

HomeViews

Fatma Aldurai (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Octagon, B3

Sept 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Best building in Birmingham

Fatma Aldurai (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Octagon, B3

Sept 2026

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

The local shops are just a distance away from the octagon, one thing i love is the proximity to the city and the train stations and not to mention its a walking distance to get the tram and buses as well. You can see the library right from the octagon and the street is safe as i regularly see security staff patrols the octagon. Overall i am very happy living here

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

The building management has responded swiftly to any queries about my apartment and they have made sure to resolve with speed

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

I was informed and told everything i needed to know before moving in.

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HomeViews

Page 1 of 1158

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

Useful articles

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. (Image credit: Phil Dolby)

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Coventry

Are you considering relocating to Coventry? This vibrant city in the heart of England has much to offer prospective homebuyers. In this guide, we will provide an overview of Coventry, including information on its location, schools, universities and population. We hope that this information will help you make an informed decision about whether or not Coventry is the right place for you and your family!

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Shropshire

If you are looking for a new home, then Shropshire might be the place for you. This county is located in the West Midlands region of England and has much to offer prospective homeowners. For example, it offers affordable housing prices that will leave plenty of room leftover in your budget for all those other things that make life worth living. Shropshire boasts some fantastic countryside, but also has plenty of towns and cities for those who prefer city life!

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Staffordshire

Staffordshire is one of the most beautiful parts of England. From its rolling hills to its picturesque valleys, it's a part of the country that many people dream about living in. The county is surrounded on all sides by the beautiful English countryside, while also being within easy reach of some major cities. For prospective homebuyers who are looking for somewhere to settle down in Staffordshire, there are a number of factors they should consider before making the final decision about where to buy their new house. This article will discuss these different factors.

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Warwickshire

Warwickshire is an amazing county located in the heart of England, just south of Birmingham and north of Oxfordshire. The county has an area of approximately 900 square miles and a population of around half a million people. It is well known for its beautiful countryside and historic towns and villages. If you are thinking of buying a home in Warwickshire, here is some information about the area that may be helpful to you.

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Worcestershire

Worcestershire is a beautiful place with many great features that make it an attractive destination for home buyers. Worcestershire has everything from quaint villages to bustling cities, and you can find just about any type of school or university you are looking for. The population is large enough to provide all the amenities you want but small enough so as not to be overwhelming. There's no reason not to consider moving to this wonderful county!

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