Would you recommend living in Birmingham?

Question

What are the good and bad points?

I'm almost 23 and considering moving there as my mum is. I currently live in a small city in the south west and where job opportunities in the area I work in are limited, especially as I cant drive and there isnt much to do. So Im thinking this might be a good chance to experience living somewhere more vibrant in a low risk way, I can live with my mum originally paying little rent and if I like it would find my own place.

I have fears though as I'd be giving up living in an area where there's very little serious crime and I never have to worry about my safety. Is B'ham as rough as its made out to be?

Answer 1

Hey! I've lived in Birmingham all my life - 25 years - and it is a great place. There is loads to see and do in the city centre and surrounding areas. The Bullring is great for shopping and loads of other shops are close by so its easy to get around. Plenty of museums and art galleries if you like them. There are loads of bars and restaurants to choose from. Again many are located near the Bullring but plenty spread out across the city centre and beyond! I'd definitely recommend Broad Street and The Arcadian for going out. Anyway you can check out the website www.visitbirmingham.com and find out some more.

As for crime I have personally found that areas closer to the city centre are the worst for crime. However the areas further away tend to be a lot better and safer. I would avoid anywhere where there are a lot of tower blocks as they tend to have a lot of crime and vandalism in and around them. Apologies if anyone lives in a tower block but that has been my findings.

I can understand your concern for safety but its just a matter of common sense and not wandering the streets on your own at night! Maybe you could visit your mum a few times to get a better idea of what its like and whether you would enjoy yourself here. I hope this helps anyway! Good luck!

Answer 2

birmingham UK is really gud. there's sum brilliant shopping centre's like the bullring n there's 2 train stations near it. there's loadz of places u can visit. so i wud yh u shud consider moving here

Answer 3

avoid lozells/ladywood because when there are shootings (not v many) they tend to happen there.

The south side is a bit betters i,e kings norton,kings heath, bartley green, even halesowen which is just on the border

Answer 4

There are Birminghams all over the world but I assume you're talking about the 'original'.

I was a Londoner and reluctantly moved to Birmingham thirty years ago, but it didn't take long to realise I had struck lucky. It's a great place to live and you'll love it there. Brummies are warm hearted, friendly people who enjoy a good laugh, and they come in all colours, shapes, and sizes. There's a tiny minority of mis-fits, weirdos, and thugs but it's easy to avoid them, and I don't think Birminham is a bigger risk than anywhere else in the country. Avoid Broad Street late at night, and go out and enjoy everywhere else, and the best of luck.

Answer 5

Not sure if you are talking about Birmingham, Alabama or Birmingham, England (you referenced your mum not mom).  If it's Alabama then heck no.  Try Austin, Tx.  Low crime rate and the people are some of the most tolerant, just plain ole' nice people you'd ever want to meet.

Answer 6

Well let me first welcome you to b'ham, al...living here for almost 4 yrs now...I wont consider it the safest place to live...but it all depends on the area where you live in...the northside is quite bad, whereas the southside is considerably better off in terms of the crime rate..(though crime does happen in the southside area too)...the best place to live is places like homewood, hoover, mtn brook..(that is if you can afford them)....let me know where in bham are you considering to move and what could you afford in terms of rent...you can mail me at [e-mail]

Answer 7

West Birmingham is pretty good and very easy to get into fabulous Countryside via Halesowen, to Clent and beyond on the A456.

Plenty to do in the City - it is after all "the Second City" - communications are good.  If you can travel, by train or bus, as far as Kidderminster you will find that housing compares favourably with the rest of the Country.