5 reasons you should move to Birmingham

Birmingham is an animated hub of culture, commerce and community. As the UK’s second-largest city—and one of just 5 UK cities to be listed in the 2024 World’s Best Cities—Birmingham combines modern innovation with history. 

The city has had significant investments in its infrastructure and a burgeoning job market, meaning it is attracting attention from individuals and families looking to relocate.  In this article, we’ll explore five reasons why making the move to Birmingham could be the best decision you ever make.

Affordable cost of living

Birmingham stands out as an affordable destination compared to many other British cities. The cost of living is significantly lower than in London and other metropolitan areas. Whether you’re dining out or grocery shopping, you’ll find the food prices are reasonable and varied. Public transport is also budget-friendly here, giving you access to a huge choice of neighbourhoods, the city and beyond.

According to recent data, Birmingham’s economy is set to outpace the average for the UK and housing demand is on the rise here thanks to the expanding workforce and growing population. Birmingham offers a diverse range of housing options to suit all budgets with many Londoners relocating here. Data shows that the number of movers from London earning over £70k per annum has increased by 26% in a year. From trendy city-centre apartments to suburban homes, Birmingham’s housing combines affordability and variety.

Excellent job market

According to a recent report, Birmingham is the second city outside of London with the most job opportunities. There are plenty of reasons for this, including:

• HS2: Land preparation and construction for this revolutionary bullet train, are just two areas set to have increased with High Speed 2, with the workforce for the project being around 27,000.
• The Big City Plan: Birmingham has a 20-year plan to develop the city centre, including regeneration, which will create 50,000 jobs and 1.5 million square metres of space for new businesses.
• Commutability: Birmingham is home to New Street Station, which is the busiest train station outside of London. This interchange connects to London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and many other areas, which is great for commuters. Birmingham International Airport also has many global flight links, making international travel accessible.
• Relocation of Big Businesses: Many global businesses have relocated from London to Birmingham to avoid the higher rents. This includes the likes of PwC, HSBC and Deutsche Bank. 

Cultural and historical richness

Birmingham is a city with plenty going on in terms of cultural and historical experiences. The fantastic art scene is set among renowned theatres like the Birmingham Hippodrome, which is known for its West End shows, and the Rep Theatre, showing local talent.

Art fans can explore the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, with over 800,000 objects displayed.  

An impressive collection of contemporary art is available to admire, in addition to  pre-Raphaelite works. Another gallery worth a visit is the Ikon Gallery, which has innovative exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

For the music fans,  there’s everything from classical concerts at the Symphony Hall to underground gigs at The Hare and Hounds. The musical heritage here is rich too: both Black Sabbath and the Moody Blues originated in Birmingham.

Outdoor activities & green spaces

Nature lovers or those seeking an active lifestyle, will certainly find Birmingham has plenty to offer. Sutton Park is just six miles north of the city centre and is one of Europe’s largest urban parks, spanning 2,400 acres. This is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are woodlands, lakes, wetlands, marshes and heathland, all with a variety of plants and wildlife, including wild ponies.

Cannon Hill Park is another popular destination with beautiful gardens, a picturesque lake and sports facilities, while Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers a range of plants and educational opportunities in a serene setting.

Besides the parks and outdoor spaces, Birmingham has an excellent canal network. In fact, there are more miles of canals here than there are in Venice. The canal network is a historical gem that reflects Birmingham’s industrial heritage.

Exciting future and development

With ongoing developments like HS2 and The Big City Plan, Birmingham is set to have an exciting future. 

There’s also the Smithfield project, which is set to be a transformational development to drive the city’s international reputation and standing. The project is aimed at attracting domestic and international visitors and will create around 3,000 new homes, one million sq ft of high-quality office space and a network of new green spaces and public squares. 

With these ambitious future plans, it’s clear that Birmingham is the place to be.