Relocating to Birmingham

FirstTimeSolo

Hello
I will be relocating to Birmingham in Jan. I need to close to New street station as I will commute a few days every week. I am looking for a 2-3 bedroom flat in the city centre. Any recommendations on areas/ specific buildings? Mailbox seems to have spacious flats. Any guidance would be much appreciated. 

AlwaysWanderlusting

Somewhat depends on your affordability. What else you’re looking for in terms os a place and whether you’re looking to rent or buy. 

Mailbox and the apartments on Navigation Street are as close as you can get. The area is generally okay and what you might expect from being on the edge of the city. 

 Park Central is a relatively short walk (a few minutes further than the Mailbox). Generally an okay area, some anti-social behaviour but very much depends on the exact location so worth asking any letting agent hard questions around that. Rickman Drive and the lower end of Bell Barn Rd seem to be a bit worse than elsewhere, as does Langley Walk.  

Southside is another option, with a combination of theatres/Chinatown/gay village so plenty of places to eat and drink right on your doorstep. I wouldn’t think these places would be that large though. 

Jewellery Quarter is a bit more of a walk to New Street and a bit more sprawling (closer to the city centre or near St Paul’s Square generally better). Seems to be  pricier than elsewhere around the edge of the city but good range of bars and restaurants without having to head into the centre.

There are blocks of flats around Digbeth but I personally wouldn’t recommend living there as the nature of the many carparks, empty-looking buildings doesn’t always feel that safe (speaking as someone who had an office there for 3 years). 

coachman12

O/P : If you provided a lot more information, especially what you can afford, I'm sure you'd get plenty of advice on this Forum. But, without more info you are unlikely to get much further here. If you are being relocated as career move, you might consider renting out your present house, wherever it is, and renting in B-ham if you know how long your career might keep you in B-ham.
And, if buying, would you really restrict your new home as having to be close to New St Station just because of a couple of days commuting per week ?You don't even say whether you want to buy or rent at all ?
The best areas in B-Ham are NOT close to New St, and it's pretty easy to commute from a really nice area such as Solihull ( which has its own station close to very nice housing----and one of the best urban environments in England----and there are trains to London) if , for example, it is London you are planning to commute to/from. But we don't know ?
So many unanswered questions, sorry.

Doozergirl

coachman12 said:

O/P : If you provided a lot more information, especially what you can afford, I'm sure you'd get plenty of advice on this Forum. But, without more info you are unlikely to get much further here. If you are being relocated as career move, you might consider renting out your present house, wherever it is, and renting in B-ham if you know how long your career might keep you in B-ham.
And, if buying, would you really restrict your new home as having to be close to New St Station just because of a couple of days commuting per week ?You don't even say whether you want to buy or rent at all ?
The best areas in B-Ham are NOT close to New St, and it's pretty easy to commute from a really nice area such as Solihull ( which has its own station close to very nice housing----and one of the best urban environments in England----and there are trains to London) if , for example, it is London you are planning to commute to/from. But we don't know ?
So many unanswered questions, sorry.

Agreed.  There's lots of places within minutes of New St via the tram or other nearby stations too.   You won't find much in the way of your own outside space in the very centre - something that people have become quite passionate about in recent months!   

There's an entire city with a variety of homes, not just city centre apartments.  

The Mailbox is beautiful, but the shopping area is like a ghost town.  It was quiet before, but it's
been decimated by Covid.  With no retail tenants, I fear the burden of upkeep will be placed on leaseholders.    The bars and restaurants are great, but they're full of a transient population.  Jewellery Quarter might be better for community, but the rents appear extortionate for the city and even the bars don't have much to anything in the way of garden.   

 

FirstTimeSolo

Hi everyone 
Thanks for your replies. I want to rent initially and then buy. 
To rent my budget is around £1150 pm max. Ideally closer to £1000pm. I am looking for a two bedroom flat. 

I would probably be in Birmingham for 3-4 years. If I buy it would be around £300k Mark, something I can pay off in 4-5 years as I have a large deposit and then rent out when I move. Has anyone seen the Mailbox apartments? They are spacious but look dated so wondered how they look in reality. There are some nice flats on Rightmove on Cornwall street but only one beds available currently. 

FirstTimeSolo

Sorry I should add, the buying and then letting out part is something I am still working out and it’s just an idea at the moment. This may not be the best investment, I am still looking into it. Thanks 

monaymadlol

Mailbox, jq, Hockley and these new apartments flying up all over the place. Canon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Moseley, Kings heath, Bournville, Harborne, Hall Green, Stirchley if you can stretch and don't mind a cycle or public transport commute 

ancientofdays

There are an awful lot of build to rent flats nearing completion in central Birmingham as far as I know.  Not sure what's happening in the jewellery quarter but that is very popular.

monaymadlol

And that sort of budget buying or renting will get you a nice penthouse suite with concierge I imagine 

Scotbot

monaymadlol said:

And that sort of budget buying or renting will get you a nice penthouse suite with concierge I imagine 

Haha! No it won't. Personally I would live in Moseley or Harbourne, certainly that is where I  would look to buy. I  think the city centre is quite dull and may drop in value if people continue to shon city centres.

Loanranger21

Millennium Apartments towards the bottom of Newhall Street are located in what was once British Telecom regional office,  just in front of the BT tower. It is about 10 mins or so walk to New Street station. The concierge there was a super guy named Eamonn,  no idea if he is still there. Underground car park. Close to the professional quarter. 
Or how about the Queens college chambers in Paradise Street? Opposite the Town Hall, was the school of music.  Or there s the Rotunda. Both of the latter two locations are in heart of the centre and just a hop from the station. Actually closer than the Mailbox.  
HS2 rail station will not be new street station but will be at curzon street and I think also a stop at Birmingham International next to airport and the National Exhibition Centre. This may or may not be relevant to you.