Good places to live near birmingham/west midlands

srh1

Hello, I am starting work in Birmingham in the coming months and wanted to initially live in Walsall but after reading some reviews about walsall I am not really sure, what is WS2 like? I grew up in a rough part of London next to an estate and don't really fancy ending up in a similar area again.

I don't mind travelling 20 miles/30-45 minutes out of birmingham (all directions, north, east, south, west) as I don't really want to live in Birmingham (Lived there for a year and didn't like it). Where can I find some nice modern built or newly refurbished properties to live in because if I try looking into smaller villages all I can see is old houses which don't appeal to me.

My budget is about £600 a month for rent for 1/2 bed, Solihull and Coventry are too expensive in that case. I was thinking of stourbridge as well. I drive so I am not bothered about public transport links. An area with a lower car insurance would be a plus. I would really appreciate it if you could give me some guidance. Thank you.

laura_louise

I currently live in Walsall... WS2 isn't great to be honest. I'm in WS5 at the moment and it's OK here but i am moving out shortly and can't wait.

I grew up in Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove, which are both commuter towns for Birmingham and which were much nicer areas and my car insurance was at it's cheapest in Droitwich. Car insurance in Walsall is NOT cheap. Warwick and Leamington Spa are lovely but probably too expensive. Stourbridge is OK, just OK.

Doozergirl

Bromsgrove, yes Droitwich, yes but further away. Both have a lot of newer build.

Stourbridge is okay, I would veer towards Pedmore, Oldswinford and Hagley, though. I do agree with laura above.

Where in town are you working?

Are you buying or renting? Budget?

srh1

Doozergirl wrote: »

Bromsgrove, yes Droitwich, yes but further away. Both have a lot of newer build.

Stourbridge is okay, I would veer towards Pedmore, Oldswinford and Hagley, though. I do agree with laura above.

Where in town are you working?

Are you buying or renting? Budget?

Bromsgrove does seem to have the kind of flats/apartments I want to live in but can't see anything in Droitwich.

I am working in Shirley.

I am looking to rent and have a budget of £600 PCM

Thanks.

srh1

laura_louise wrote: »

I currently live in Walsall... WS2 isn't great to be honest. I'm in WS5 at the moment and it's OK here but i am moving out shortly and can't wait.

I grew up in Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove, which are both commuter towns for Birmingham and which were much nicer areas and my car insurance was at it's cheapest in Droitwich. Car insurance in Walsall is NOT cheap. Warwick and Leamington Spa are lovely but probably too expensive. Stourbridge is OK, just OK.

Droitwich is in Worcestershire right? Do you know what worcester as a city is like to live in?

I am after something like this: w_w_w_._rightmove_._co_._uk/property-to-rent/property-33545811.h_t_m_l

Please delete the '_'.

Doozergirl

I love Worcester but it would be a tough commute to shirley round the motorway. The M42 is often a pig, so if 30-40 minutes in rush hour is your limit then Bromsgrove is your limit, really, round that side. It's 15-20 minutes in good traffic. You are looking too far at Stourbridge, Worcester, Droitwich. I do a lot of miles in those parts. If you're not travelling in rush hour, your options are more open.

I have friends in Hall Green. I don't go there but it seems respectable. Redditch as well - has its moments.

Dickens Heath might be worth looking at? Likely to find the right kind of property.

Heading towards Warwick is expensive, I think. Very villagey as well.

payless

£600 will get 2 bed flat in Sutton Coldfield

elvenlomadia

I live in Rugby and commute to Coventry. Prices here are much better than Leamington/Warwick, currently renting a 2 bed semi in one of the nicer areas for £625 pcm

laura_louise

srh1 wrote: »

Droitwich is in Worcestershire right? Do you know what worcester as a city is like to live in?

I am after something like this: w_w_w_._rightmove_._co_._uk/property-to-rent/property-33545811.h_t_m_l

Please delete the '_'.

I lived in Worcester for 18 months, beautiful city... probably a bit far out for your work though as someone else mentioned.

srh1

Doozergirl wrote: »

I love Worcester but it would be a tough commute to shirley round the motorway. The M42 is often a pig, so if 30-40 minutes in rush hour is your limit then Bromsgrove is your limit, really, round that side. It's 15-20 minutes in good traffic. You are looking too far at Stourbridge, Worcester, Droitwich. I do a lot of miles in those parts. If you're not travelling in rush hour, your options are more open.

I have friends in Hall Green. I don't go there but it seems respectable. Redditch as well - has its moments.

Dickens Heath might be worth looking at? Likely to find the right kind of property.

Heading towards Warwick is expensive, I think. Very villagey as well.

You're right about the commuting to Worcester, google maps shows a 1 hr drive avoiding motorways and taking A38 instead but I reckon the A38 would be a pain too in the mornings.

I actually lived near hall green for a year in Birmingham before and didn't really like it. Dickens heath seems to list three properties over my budget on rightmove and zoopla. Redditch seems to be decent and Rugby is the same distance as Worcester if not further away.

srh1

I think I can put redditch and sutton coldfield down on my list. Not sure about worcester, my car insurance is half there which can cover the petrol but I am not sure what the A38 is like to drive on at peak hours. Rugby again is similar distance to Worcester when taking the M6 and a search doesn't seem to bring up the kind of property I am after. Any other suggestions? Also thank you for your help