Why you should consider making Birmingham your home in 2023

Bournville and Stirchley, the two Birmingham neighborhoods that offer the best of both worlds.

Bournville is known for its elegant houses, well-manicured gardens, and wide tree-lined streets, giving it a sophisticated and traditional feel. On the other hand, Stirchley is a more laid-back and energetic neighborhood, with no respect for tradition.

The houses in Bournville were built at the turn of the 20th century for George Cadbury and his “factory in a garden” and are considered some of the most desirable in the area. Bournville is also home to the Bournville Bread Basket, known for its fancy cakes, and the St Mary’s Hospice charity shop outlet, which is filled with designer cast-offs. The parks, tennis courts, and well-tended gardens in Bournville give it the look of an aspirational American suburb.

Cadbury, was a Quaker, and as a result, there was no availability of alcohol in the neighborhood until 2015. Even now, alcohol is only sold at one convenience store, the Mary Vale News. As a result, entertainment in Bournville tends to be more low-key, such as at the ultra-friendly Bournville Harriers running club or the Bournville Carillon, a rooftop musical instrument with 48 bells that was a gift from Cadbury to the chocolate factory workers.

If you’re looking for something a little more lively, you can take a short walk across the Worcester and Birmingham canal to the neighborhood of Stirchley. Stirchley doesn’t have the same level of sophistication or house prices as Bournville, but it makes up for it with its fun community art projects, like the 105m-long Stirchley Tapestry, and its artisan bakeries, co-operative bike shops, and tasty restaurants. You can also find booze at craft breweries and the neighborhood cocktail bar, Couch, which serves movie-themed drinks. 

Bournville and Stirchley are home to a diverse, young population. According to Ming Nham, the chef and owner of Eat Vietnam, one of the most popular restaurants in Pershore Road, “most of the people we have met through the restaurant are on the same page as us. They’re well-travelled, willing to help out, have a sharing philosophy and, of course, they are very much into their food and drink.”

The residents of Moseley have also made the most of their beautiful Cannon Hill Park and the suburb’s secret garden, an 11-acre area surrounding a tree-lined lake that can be accessed with an annual subscription fee of £45. 

It’s been a difficult year for Birmingham, which lost John Lewis from its city center due to Covid. However, there are some positive signs on the horizon. With the HS2 high-speed rail project confirmed and the Grand Hotel being restored to its former French Renaissance glory, it’s likely that Birmingham will continue to thrive.

You’ll love living here if

You like a double act that’s the very best of suburban Brum.

Best address

If you’re looking for the best houses in Bournville, you should check out the Arts and Crafts-style detached houses in streets with names like Oak Tree Lane, Fox Hill, and Middleton Hall Road. These houses have a classic, country feel. In Stirchley, you can find good-value terraces on streets like Oxford, Regent, and Bond, which are located just off Bournville Lane and near the urban oasis of Stirchley Park.

House prices

Starter home £150,000

Mid-market £209,950

Top end £385,000

Average rental price £750 pcm

Source: TwentyCi

Schools

There are many great school options here. Both Bournville Village Primary (inspected in 2013) and Bournville Infant School (inspected in 2009) have received outstanding ratings from Ofsted. Raddlebarn Primary (inspected in 2018) and Stirchley Primary (inspected in 2020) are both rated as good. Among the secondary schools, the selective King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys (inspected in 2009) and the King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls (inspected in 2007) have received outstanding ratings and are ranked among the top 20 secondary schools in the country by The Sunday Times Parent Power guide. Kings Norton Girls’ School (inspected in 2019), Selly Park Girls’ School (inspected in 2009), Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School (inspected in 2019), and Kings Norton Boys’ School (inspected in 2017) are all rated as outstanding. The independent King Edward’s School (£4,697 per term) and King Edward VI High School for Girls (£4,576 per term) also rank highly in the Parent Power league.

Connections

From Bournville station, you can reach Birmingham New Street in just 13 minutes by taking the Cross City Line. It takes 19 minutes to get to Bromsgrove, 25 minutes to reach Redditch, and 57 minutes to get to Lichfield Trent Valley. If you prefer to take the bus, there are plenty of options that will take you into the city. Alternatively, you can cycle to the city center in 30 minutes or drive to the M5 or M42 in around 20 minutes from Bournville.

Broadband

Nine out of ten properties have at least one gigabit network option available. While standard superfast coverage is good, the majority of the slow addresses are in the very centre of Birmingham.

Air quality

All of Birmingham has been designated an Air Quality Management Area, indicating high levels of pollution, so stick to parks and back streets where you can.