Buying a house in Birmingham

Kitikat

Hi

Can anybody give me advice on buying a house in or near Birmingham. I would like a house in a nice area with good schools. It also should be within about 45 mins travelling distance of North Birmingham. I don't know the area at all so any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

paulb567

Sutton Coldfield. Nice area, good schools and about 15-30 minutes drive into the centre (depending on traffic). Also has a trains to and from birmingham every 20 minutes or so.

Kitikat

Thanks paulb567, I'll start my search at Sutton Coldfield.

Doozergirl

It will depend on what your budget is. Places like Sutton Coldfield, Harborne & Edgbaston are probably the most expensive areas in Birmingham.

Bournville, near the chocolate factory, is a little cheaper but has very good schools, is a conservation area and a wonderful village feel. I also like Moseley. It's thought of as 'up and coming' and has wonderful architecture.

I know South Birmingham better, but nowhere's really that far in Brum. I live about 20 miles south in Worcs and it's 40 mins into the centre of town.

Kitikat

Budget isn't my main criteria. I try to get in an area with good schools even if I have to pay over the odds for the property such that I don't have to pay the fees they charge at private schools.

I will look at the areas you mentioned particularly Bournville because I do like a nice village.

Thanks

Interest-Ed

I haven't lived in Brum for some years but if budget isn't a worry look at Edgbaston, Harborne, Sutton Coldfield. There are still some Grammar schools in Birmingham, also the Blue Coat School, Edgbaston High School for Girls (?).

If your budget stretches there are pretty villages around Clent and Hagley and the countryside on the northside of Birmingham beyond Walsall is very pretty too - around Cannock Chase in particular.

On the north side are Perry Barr and Walsall - which have their good and bad areas.

Avoiding having to use the M6 motorway at Walsall is probably a good idea and the area around Cannock itself is notorious for having the most speed cameras in the country!

Interest-Ed

Just trying to wrack my brains for the names of good schools -

King Edward VI and Turves Green were two of the best I think. Can't remember now if they are both grammar schools. King Edward's used to be seperate boys and girls schools.

Doozergirl

Blue Coats, Edgbaston and King Edwards are all private schools!

payless

looking for primary or secondary schools ?

Kitikat

Looking for both primary and secondary schools. Primary for the moment but in another academic year I'll have a child at secondary school.

Interest-Ed thanks for your info. I have done a search on the Cannock Chase area but haven't found very much for sale yet, but I will continue looking as this is the best side of Birmingham for commuting to work which will be in Perry Barr.

Interest-Ed

Quote: Blue Coats, Edgbaston and King Edwards are all private schools!

Oh fair enough - there is a grammar school in Sutton Coldfield too though.
Unfortunately I don't know about the current secondary school set up - I guess OFSTED reports would help.