Best places to buy a house in Birmingham and Midlands according to property experts
The best neighbourhoods to buy a home across Birmingham and the wider Midlands have been ranked according to leading property experts. The list below highlights property hotspots from those with top schools on the doorstep to the best transport links and beautiful surroundings.
Speaking to experts from Knight Frank, Savills and St Modwen Homes, their suggestions provide a comprehensive guide for every house-hunter in and around Birmingham. It features the West Midlands’ suburbs and towns they think should garner the most attention.
Spanning city centre living to homes close to the countryside and up-and-coming areas, those deemed the most attractive places to buy span from Staffordshire to Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
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Our panel of experts were Joe Shorney, head of residential development sales at Savills in the West Midlands, Knight Franks’ team of estate agents and Jo Winston, Sales and Marketing Director at St. Modwen Homes.
Here’s the places property experts rated in alphabetical order below.
GUN QUARTER
In terms of up-and-coming suburbs, Birmingham city centre’s Gun Quarter has been underdoing a transformation of late. It covers the streets in walking distance of the city centre around Price Street and Bath Street, neatly packed between between the Jewellery Quarter and Newtown.
Many of the properties are apartments in converted warehouses that once housed Birmingham’s former gun-making industry. Prices start from around £219,000.
Savills described why it is such an impressive area with Joe saying: “Hot on the heels of the Jewellery Quarter, is the emerging Gun Quarter which is going through an exciting period of regeneration.
“The area is seeing an influx of residential development with low-rise industrial warehouses being converted or demolished to make way for high quality residential accommodation. We are very excited about the Gun Quarter, which is heading on the same trajectory as the Jewellery Quarter and is likely to have a very similar feel once it is more established.”
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DROITWICH SPA
This historic Worcestershire town is a pretty place to live but also has exceptional transport links, making it a haven for commuters. It’s close enough to commute to Birmingham, the Black Country and Worcester easily.
Droitwich lies just off the M5 at Junction 5 on Birmingham outskirts and has direct trains to Birmingham, Worcester, Bromsgrove, Stourbridge, Hereford and Solihull.
Jo from St Modwen Homes said the town had become increasingly sought-after as it was “affordable”. She added that Rightmove currently had 127 homes for sale in Droitwich with an average house price of £290,279 – over £18,000 cheaper than the UK average.
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“Droitwich Spa has become an increasingly popular place to live over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why,” added Jo. “If you’re looking for a location that is affordable without compromising on nearby amenities, then Droitwich is a great option.
“The town has picturesque architecture, charming shops, delightful cafes, and scenic parks. It is also home to the Droitwich Spa Lido – a beautifully restored open-air swimming pool, perfect for leisurely spring and summer days. Droitwich Spa is an ideal setting for families and individuals seeking a peaceful yet dynamic place to live.”
JEWELLERY QUARTER
Both Knight Frank and Savills recommended Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter in Hockley. Part of its appeal is that the suburb is only a 10 minute walk to Birmingham city centre’s shops, business district, train station and attractions.
“Birmingham has huge appeal with its cobbled streets and rich heritage,” said the Knight Frank estate agents. “It is home to decade old family businesses alongside trendy independent restaurants and cool bars, character properties and listed buildings.
“There is a real feel of community in the area with St Paul’s church standing in the centre, stunning historic architecture and residential feel around the square, just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. It’s the best of both worlds for young professionals who enjoy the liveliness of the city and the feel of a traditional old English suburb.”
Along with independent family-run restaurants, bars and gyms, the Jewellery Quarter’s Georgian look is protected as a Conservation area. New apartments include at SETL on Ludgate Hill from £257,500 and Alben Works. The average price was £229,608 over the past year, according to Rightmove and most of those were flats. Terraced houses sell for slightly more of £298,000.
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Joe from Savills added: “The trendy, urban Jewellery Quarter is probably the most established residential village within Birmingham City Centre. It’s particularly popular with young professionals and some families.”
LICHFIELD
Historic Lichfield in Staffordshire is an attractive place to live with character properties, a boutique style high street, independent restaurants, local markets and the countryside on the doorstep. It’s also rated highly for its transport links and access to good schools.
There are two train stations in Lichfield with direct trains to London Euston within 1 hr 20 mins. It is also only a 35 minute drive to Birmingham City Centre and 30 minute drive to Birmingham Airport.
Knight Frank highlighted Lichfield as a place to buy adding that schools in the area include a 15 minute train journey to Sutton Coldfield for grammar schools of Bishop Vessey and Sutton Girls, while there is also Lichfield Cathedral Private School in the city.
“Lichfield offers a welcoming, safe community, rich in historic, peaceful, picturesque life,” said a Knight Frank expert. They added that Lichfield Cathedral and Beacon Park with its 70 acres of gardens made it even more special.
Property prices in Lichfield currently sell for on average £340,000. Most sales in the past year were detached houses at a slightly higher average of £496,802. Semi-detached houses fetch £315,503 while terraces are cheaper at £256,385.
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LONGBRIDGE
St Modwen Homes has new developments at Longbridge, in Birmingham’s south west corner bordering Worcestershire, by the Lickey Hills. The property giant said this was one of the city’s up-and-coming areas.
“Once home to one of Europe’s largest car plants, and the birthplace of the iconic Mini, Longbridge is part of a long-term £1 billion initiative to breathe new life into one of Britain’s most famous industrial areas,” said Jo from St Modwen Homes.
“Longbridge is the ideal spot for those looking to enjoy nearby countryside, whilst remaining close to a bustling £100 million town centre. The area is already home to hundreds of brand-new residential properties, with residents able to take advantage of great local eateries including the iconic Herbert’s Yard, a variety of shops, new pedestrian and cycle paths, and more.
“We’re currently selling a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes at our West Works development in Longbridge with some are available to purchase with a mortgage rate of as low as 1% using the Own New Rate Reducer Scheme which can make buying a home easier and more affordable.”
Longbridge is particularly sought-after with house prices 10% up in the past year according to Rightmove. The average sale price is £223,305 but most were for terraced homes at around £207,000. Semi-detached houses sold for an average of £242,450, with flats fetching £147,043 in the past year.
LONG MARSTON
This Warwickshire town is five miles south west of Stratford-upon-Avon and was a property hotspot highlighted by St Modwen Homes.
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“Long Marston village exudes tranquillity and is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes and lush greenery,” said Jo.. “Its proximity to Stratford-upon-Avon offers residents rich cultural heritage, renowned theatres, and vibrant local markets just a short distance away.
“Long Marston has a strong sense of community, with a range of local events and activities to enjoy. The location is perfect for those seeking a high-quality lifestyle in the heart of England’s countryside.”
Options range from quaint cottages or modern new homes. It’s popular with house buyers as property prices shot up by 22% in the past year, Rightmove noted. The average price was £442,292. Terraced homes fetch £210,500, semi-detached houses tend to go for around £320,000 while detached properties sell for around £570,000.
SOLIHULL
Solihull was highlighted by several property experts at Knight Frank and Savills. Affluent suburbs including Knowle, Dorridge and Lapworth are some of the most desirable.
“Solihull is a very attractive place to live for all generations as it has array of good schooling, sports facilities, parks and is also very well connected,” said the Knight Frank team. “There are direct trains to both Birmingham and also London with the HS2 Interchange being built in Solihull, cutting journey times to the capital to under 40 minutes.”
As a semi-rural town, Solihull boasts access to entertainment, restaurants and stores in the town centre and at Touchwood shopping centre but is also surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Joe at Savills added: “Moving out of the city centre, Solihull has always been a hotspot amongst buyers. Its desirability is based on a number of factors, including its proximity to the M42 motorway network and Birmingham International Airport.
“Plentiful greenspace, a great selection of schools – both state and private – and a good selection of shops on the high street including its own John Lewis only add to the appeal and quality of life.”
Rightmove noted that Solihull properties had an overall average price of £354,746 over the past year. Most were semi-detached fetching £345,687 on average. Flats came in lower at £195,339 but the average price for a detached house is £653,476.
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SUTTON COLDFIELD
Knight Frank’s team said the Royal town of Sutton Coldfield was a sought after location for first time buyers, families and downsizers. Mere Green, Four Oak and Little Aston were among those popular for families looking at houses while the town centre attracted those seeking apartments.
“There are also a number of high quality apartment schemes for people looking to downsize offering character and space,” they added. “The town centre itself is host to a range of shops within the Gracechurch Shopping Centre and there is also the Princess Alice Retail Park just over two miles from the town centre.”
Families are attracted to Sutton Coldfield for its schools with grammar schools of Bishop Vesey, Sutton Girls and Highclare. There is also the 2,400 acre Sutton Park with children’s play areas, woodland walks and seven lakes.
Public transport and train services on Birmingham’s Cross City line also make it an appealing place to live. Properties in Sutton Coldfield sold for an average price of £341,869 over the past year according to Rightmove.
Most of those were semi-detached houses fetching an average of £303,254. Terraced homes went for £235,970 but detached houses are more expensive selling for around £619,885. It’s very much in demand as house prices in Sutton Coldfield over the past year were 6% up on the previous year.
WORCESTER
Historic city Worcester was picked by St Modwen Homes for its cultural richness and modern conveniences “making it a highly desirable place to live and invest in a property”.
Jo from St Modwen, which has a Pear Tree Fields development in the Worcestershire capital, said: “Worcester has an array of museums, galleries, theatres, and live music venues to explore
“Residents also benefit from excellent educational institutions, healthcare services, and recreational amenities, including lovely parks, sports facilities, and a bustling city centre filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes.”
House prices in Worcester have an average of £287,627, according to Rightmove. Detached properties tend to sell for more at £432,407.
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