Birmingham is one of the most vibrant cities in the UK. It is packed with culture and recently hosted the Commonwealth Games. There are six restaurants with Michelin stars including the only Indian restaurant to be awarded Michelin status outside of London. The city has more canals than Venice and plenty of green space to enjoy.
From where to live in Birmingham and what to see and do, here’s what you need to know about the city and what it’s like to live there.
So, what is the best area in Birmingham to live?
There are plenty of great places to live in and around Birmingham. The city centre is always popular, as is the Jewellery Quarter with its independent bar and restaurant scene, whilst Brindleyplace is one of the most desirable spots for young professionals. Popular suburbs on the outskirts of Birmingham include Harborne, Bournville, Edgbaston, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.
At Wain Homes, you’ll find our new homes in Birmingham at the Green in Solihull and Bordesley Manor near Redditch.
Birmingham is known as the ‘second city’ in England, behind London, so you can bet that there’s plenty of fun and exciting things to do in Birmingham.
Culture vultures are well catered for in Birmingham. In fact the city even has its own ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and its own orchestra, the City of Birmingham Orchestra. If you want to enjoy a night out at the theatre then make your way to New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Crescent Theatre or the Old Rep. And for a day wandering round a museum, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the National Motorcycle Museum, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum and Museum of the Jewellery Quarter. For a fun filled day out for all the family don’t forget Cadbury World. Lovers of the arts will also be pleased to know that Birmingham City Library has one of the largest Shakespeare collections in the world.
Birmingham is also the perfect city to get out and explore, with its 8,000 acres of green space. That equates to around 25% of the city! It’s also home to 571 parks, with 15 having Green Flag status. And with 35 miles of canals, Birmingham clocks up more waterways than Venice.
Birmingham city centre also promises a smart shopping district centred around the Bullring. As one of the largest shopping centres in the UK, the Bullring is right at the heart of the city and boasts more than 200 shops including a huge Selfridges. If you’re looking for independent shopping, the Custard Factory is just a short walk from the Bullring, whilst you’ll find a growing independent shopping scene throughout the city’s many arcades. And when its time to splash the cash with some bling, then head to the city’s world famous Jewellery Quarter.
Sports fans are also well catered for in Birmingham. The city hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and is home to Premier League Aston Villa and Championship side, Birmingham City. Warwickshire County Cricket Club also play their home matches in Birmingham.
Birmingham has a dining scene to rival that of London. In fact, the city is home to no less than six Michelin star restaurants. They are:
Birmingham is also world famous for its Balti Triangle home to many curry houses, both traditional and modern.
You can walk and cycle throughout Birmingham’s city centre, and it’s always an enjoyable experience. The city also has a fantastic transport network, which makes getting around Birmingham and the region a breeze. There is a huge bus network and there are eight local rail lines that crisscross the city and connect all the top local attractions.
Birmingham has unbeatable transport links due to its location at the heart of the Midlands. The city is served by the M5, M6, M40 and M42 motorways, and Birmingham New Street is the busiest train station outside London. If you want to jet off to sunnier climes or fly within the UK, Birmingham Airport is close by in Solihull.
At Wain Homes, we have a range of new build developments near Birmingham. If you’re looking to buy a new home or have any questions about the home buying process, get in touch with our team today. We’ll promptly answer your questions and queries.
