10 best places to live in Birmingham

No, you don't have fires spilling everywhere in the city, and you don't have to step on horse buns and ruin your shoes every time you feel like taking a walk down the street. The Birmingham you saw in Peaky Blinders was from the first world war and surely has changed a lot by now. As UK's 'Second City', Birmingham offers a lot, from abundant green spaces of world-class attractions to an unparalleled cultural scene. Birmingham has thrived and improved the quality of life in the city. If you are a student struggling to select a locality for yourself, check out some best places to live in Birmingham. It is much more affordable than the capital, which puts it at the top of the list for people looking for the same lifestyle provided in the UK at an affordable rate. It is driven by youthful energy as it has a majority of the young population in the whole vast continent, with around 40% of the people aged lower than 25. Let's check out the 10 best areas to live in the city. Wish to know more about Birmingham? Watch this comprehensive student guide for Birmingham and explore how the city vibes!

City Centre

The heart of the West Midlands and, of course, Britain's second-largest city, this multicultural city draws people from far and wide in need of some shopping therapy. With the world's largest Primark, Selfridges and Bullring shopping centres, and the historic Rugs Market, the city centre has something for everyone and is known as some of the best places to live in Birmingham. Being the city centre of the central city area, it is pretty easy to locate accommodation. Although, the price range starts off to be a bit pricey, given it is on the mainland. Lyttleton House, Birmingham, is the most affordable student housing alternative available in the city centre area.

Jewellery Quarter

Second on the list of best areas to live in Birmingham is The Jewellery Quarter, one of Birmingham's most famous neighbourhoods, with over 500 jewellery shops throughout the region. The Jewellery Quarter is rich in heritage and home to over 200 listed buildings, attracting more and more independent businesses to Birmingham. From family-run restaurants to privately owned pubs and cocktail bars, the Jewellery Quarter is just minutes from the city centre, providing easy access to the heart of Birmingham and a sense of intimate community. You can get some amazing student accommodations in Jewellery Quarter and  Mary Sturge is the best to look out for

Harborne

A suburban village with a diverse main street, Habern is a foodie's paradise with neighbourhood restaurants such as Habern Kitchen, The Plow and Sabai Sabai. Between its cozy atmosphere, exciting new leisure hotspots and stunning green spaces, Harborne is one of Birmingham's most desirable postcodes and one of the best places to live in Birmingham for families and students seeking a place to live with a community-driven village feel. Lyttleton House and Chambers 51 are some of the most preferred accommodations near the site, given how budget-friendly they are. The rent ranges from £99/week to £110/ week, which is highly convenient for students to manage. 

Solihull

The suburb of Solihull on the outskirts of the city has been called 'best places to live around Birmingham and work in England'. With a thriving nightlife of theatres, cinemas and restaurants, this historic market town is one of the best places to live in Birmingham for working adults who can afford higher property prices, especially in the city centre. Also, it is suitable for individuals looking for a quiet place away from the city. Being in proximity to the Solihull College and University Center, the region attracts many students. This creates a high demand for student accommodation near the area. You can find Vita Student Cannon Park, an affordable student housing alternative in the area, with the rent starting from about £258/week. The accommodation also has various room options and is equipped with all the general amenities. You can just take a train which connects you with all the major stops in the city. 

Edgbaston

Edgbaston - one of the city's more affluent suburbs - has long rivalled Solihull for the top spot in best places to live in Birmingham. Home to Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Edgbaston Cricket Ground, this bustling suburb of Edgbaston is perfect for those seeking a quieter lifestyle. Heanton Point is a pocket-friendly student housing alternative available in this area, with the weekly rent starting from £90/week. Yet, the luxury amenities of Birmingham's city centre are just a short drive away. From 2022, Edgbaston will be served by the West Midlands Metro, making reaching the city centre and surrounding areas even easier.

Digbeth

Dubbed 'Britain's coolest neighbourhood' by The Sunday Times, Digbeth is fast becoming the best place to live in Birmingham due to its uniqueness compared to the big cities. He also played a key role in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with basketball and volleyball events all taking place at the heart of the Smithfield regeneration site, showcasing Digbeth's unique style to the world. Compass is suggested student accommodation available around the Digbeth area. It comprises all the necessary amenities required by the students. You can take a train from Birmingham Central Train Station to adjacent cities such as Walsall or grab a bus from a local Bus Stop, which is only a short distance from the student housing.

East Side

The East Side is the main gateway to Birmingham and is primarily home to two of Birmingham's most important educational institutions, Aston University and Birmingham City University. These two universities have consistently attracted large numbers of students to the city, but they are also contributing to an increasing number of graduates. It creates one of the best places to live in Birmingham for young professionals to make the most of what Birmingham offers. This area boasts various IT hubs and ThinkThank, a major science museum in the region for those interested in the science field. Student accommodation in the region fills at a break-neck pace, given the high student population in the region. Harriet Martineau is the most preferred student accommodation in the area, given its proximity to the university and ease of commuting to other city areas. 

Erdington

This area is just 5 miles away and north of the ultimate Birmingham city centre, making it a very accessible spot in the city. It is easily accessible to the city and the suburbs, making it highly convenient to travel by rails, buses, taxis or your vehicle. You can easily navigate the city if you look for a place in the Erdington area. It is also named one of the best areas to live in Birmingham. It has begun beating the more economically vital areas within the cities and topping the list. It provides a suburban feel but is also extremely close to the city centre, which is a plus. Onyx is a popular student accommodation near this area which is known to provide all the essential and student-centric amenities such as a comfy bed, enough workspace, a storage facility, and your private bathroom in each room! The price range of just £158 -£ 200/ week is affordable for students. 

Brindleyplace

As you may have heard, Birmingham has more canals per mile than Venice, and Brindley Place is the best place to see them in all their glory. Here you can enjoy a range of quality restaurants and bars, including the popular Pitcher and Piano, Alchemist and All Bar One, mixed with the rich industrial history Birmingham is famous. Our partnerships with international giants such as Deloitte and Deutsche Bank, as well as smaller start-ups and technology companies, have made Birmingham one of the most desirable places for young professionals to live, network and work. has established its position. Great location for commuting as New Street Station is just a 15-minute walk away. Making is one of the best places to live in Birmingham for students.

Aston

Once overshadowed by Habern, Bearwood has made the High Street home with a spate of independent shops, cafes and bars such as Tam Cafe and The Craft Inn. This place is definitely deserve a spot in the list of the best place to live in Birmingham. Bearwood also has Lightwoods Park, a large green space with a redesigned children's playground, outdoor gym, and skateboard park. His historic 18th-century Wrightwoods House now hosts community events and activities

A beautiful, adventurous and fun city, Birmingham has everything you need in a stress-free yet great city to live in as a student. Wait no more and find your perfect student accommodation in one of the best places to live in Birmingham that we have mentioned. Also, check out the top 30 things to do in Birmingham while you are there and also explore the student life waiting for you in Birmingham.