8 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Birmingham
8 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Birmingham
So you’ve got your moving checklist out and ready to make your trip to the beautiful city of Birmingham? However, before you make that move, here are 8 things you might want to know about Birmingham City!
Birmingham, the second biggest city in England and the hometown of Izzy Osbourne, is becoming a popular destination not only for tourists but also for young people looking for a place with more job opportunities.
You may ask yourself, “But isn’t London the best city for young people when it comes to chasing the dream?”
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Sadly, the living costs in London has become too expensive for most people. Many students and recent graduates end up in micro-flats simply because they can’t afford to even split the rent with a roommate in an average-sized one bedroom flat. It’s quite common for students to rent a storage unit in Birmingham to store their extra belongings which they can’t fit into their new home. This student storage guide might help you when choosing the perfect storage for you. Moreover, check out this ultimate student moving checklist if you’re planning to move to a new dorm or flat.
Birmingham, on the other hand, is far more inexpensive when it comes to renting. According to Numbeo, the prices in Birmingham are significantly lower. Rent is 50% lower, while the cost of food, clothing, and other expenses are about 20% lower than in the capital. Check out MortgageSavingExperts for general property and living costs.
Surely, you want to find out what the city has to offer before you decide to finally relocate to Birmingham. Hence, we crafted a list of some things you should know about this city.
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1. A Green Paradise
Birmingham is not a concrete jungle, despite being the second-largest city in England and the heart of technological advancements in the past century.
Instead, it’s filled with green spaces and family friendly parks. To be more specific, it has over 500 parks.
Two of the biggest parks are Cannon Hill park and Sheldon Country park, where you can see a 17-the century farm and animals running freely on the farmland.
Did you know that in the 19th century Birmingham was considered the Silicon Valley of England?
Perhaps, one of the biggest misconceptions about this city is the fact that it does not bring as many jobs to the table. However, it, in fact, has the second-largest economy in England.
Many would point out that the average wage in Birmingham (£24) is lower than in London (£34).
While this is true, you have to keep in mind that, as mentioned above, the cost of living or general costs are 20% lower and rent is 50% lower.
3. Relaxed and Friendly Atmosphere
In other cities, if a stranger approaches to ask you how your day was, you would probably be alarmed, and perhaps for a good reason. However, in Birmingham, salespeople and con artists aren’t the only friendly people. Most people will salute you and smile at you. Anyone who has lived in Birmingham can attest to that!
Some consider it an overly-friendly city, but if you always wanted to live in a place with a more relaxed atmosphere and a diverse cultural background, this place might be for you.
4. Daunting Traffic but Good Public Transportation
While driving in Birmingham is not exactly ideal, public transportation is at its best. There are buses all over town 24/7.
Getting around is also made possible with the trams and trains in the city. Regional and national trains are also available, and if you’re looking for travelling inside the city, the Midland Metro is always another option.
If you’re looking for a monthly pass, you won’t spend more than £60 per month for public transportation.
With its efficient public transportation system, the city of Birmingham is also able to help its residents save money. Most of which would have otherwise been spent on gas, parking, and automotive maintenance.
5. Plenty to Do in Your Free Time
Regardless of your tastes, there’s always something you can do in your free time, from looking for bargains and hidden gems in the local shops and markets to admiring the Victorian architecture. Birmingham is known to have a large variety of family friendly entertainment sources.
Depending on your budget and what side of town you live in, you have plenty of pubs and bars to choose from. If you’re looking for some fun on the dance floor, there are many clubs to choose from as well.
If you’re on a budget, the many parks and green spaces can be an excellent place for a relaxing weekend.
Meanwhile, if you’re into cultural attractions, the city of Birmingham is filled with those, too! On the list of must-see cultural sites are the Museum of Jewellery Quarter, the Birmingham Central Library, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and the Thinktank at the Millenium Point complex.
6. Lavish Food Scene
Due to its multicultural and multi-ethnic background, Birmingham offers a broad range of foods that come from all over the world. If you’re a giant foodie, this alone could convince you to relocate to Birmingham!
If you don’t have the budget for a night out at a restaurant, the street food stands and the coffee will definitely satisfy your senses.
In Birmingham, you will find the famous Buddha Belly, The Hungry toad, and the Canoodle.
It is also the only place outside the city of London to have five Michelin starred restaurants! The city of Birmingham is also the home to everyone’s favourite Cadburys chocolate.
7. Great Shopping Experience
There are many places you can shop in Birmingham from the Balti Triangle to the vibrant Birmingham city centre.
The Balti Triangle has a large number of shops specializing in Asian food, clothing, and jewellery. If you’re looking for bargains, the Bull Markets are the way to go. There you will find fresh meats, furniture, cheese, and everything in between.
The city centre of Birmingham, commonly known as Central Birmingham, is also home to several retail centres such as the Bull Ring Shopping Centre, Corporation Street, New Street, High Street, The Mailbox, Grand Central Shopping Centre, and many more.
8. You Don’t Have to Go to Venice to Take a Boat on the Canals
Yes, you read that right. You don’t have to leave the United Kingdom to enjoy a boat ride on the canals. With over 35 miles of canals, Birmingham UK has more canals than Venice.
Most of them were built at the beginning of the 1700s as waterways to transport heavy loads. They were used for over 170 years.
But because the maintenance and the repairs of the canals were costly in 1980, it was decided that goods will no longer be transported using these waterways.
Today, the canals are an attraction for tourists who want to enjoy a coffee near the canals or visit the city by boat.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to move to Birmingham, you’ll be pleased to find out that it has something for everyone, from reasonably priced homes to inexpensive rent to a growing economy. Meanwhile, if you are still looking for movers to help you out, do consider independent removal companies! We have partners not only in Birmingham but all over the UK, too!
This city is well-known for its diversity. This is easiest to spot through its food scene, which is a combination of rich, exotic street food and well-renowned Michelin starred restaurants.
On top of this, it has one of the largest parks in Europe and more canal waterways than Venice. You simply can’t get bored in Birmingham, especially if you add to the mix the many pubs, bars, and the famous Cadburys chocolate. You almost don’t need to travel outside the city to get some entertainment!
Birmingham is in the heart of England, making it the perfect place to live if you’re feeling homesick and plan on visiting your relatives or go for a vacation. You’re only 2-3 hours away from other major cities.
If you want to get an idea on moving costs, read this article. Also be sure to check out the Birmingham City Council website for some relocation tips, information on the city’s council tax, an overview of its educational system, and a guide on the city’s other services.
