A Complete Guide to the Best and Rich Areas in Birmingham

England is full of amazing and rich cities that offer high income, stunning architecture, luxury neighbourhoods, and excellent universities. Birmingham is one of the cities where you will find many rich areas that are favoured by students, families, and professionals. 

Birmingham is renowned as the UK’s second city, filled with history, culture, and opportunity. It has played a major role in the industrial revolution, cultural diversity, and economic development. Leisure parks, an amazing student life, shopping options, nightlife, and good educational opportunities make Birmingham, UK’s most desirable city to live, study, and work. 

The city is also home to the University of Birmingham, Aston University, Birmingham City University, Newman University, and University College Birmingham. Plus, the cost of living is more affordable than in London.

The richest areas in Birmingham 

The richest areas in Birmingham are usually located in the west and north of the city centre. Let's explore more about these areas and discover what makes them very desirable places to live!

1. Edgbaston

Edgbaston, in Birmingham’s southwest, has been a rich area since the 19th century. It is a prestigious and leafy suburb with a lot of attractions, like Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston Cricket Ground, and local museums. The housing cost is expensive due to the elegant heritage houses with grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Modern flats and gated apartments are also available. The public transportation is excellent, with frequent buses and trains. The cost of living is high due to excellent facilities and property demand. The access to quality education and a convenient lifestyle make Edgbaston one of the rich areas in Birmingham.

2. Sutton Coldfield

Sutton Coldfield, a royal town in the north of Birmingham, is one of the most desirable and richest areas. Sutton Park and Town Centres are the main attraction spots. Apart from these, the area hosts choirs and theatres in Sutton’s Art Theatre. It also includes multiple golf clubs, Lea Marston Golf Centre, and Windley Leisure Centre. 

Sutton Coldfield, being one of the rich areas in Birmingham, benefits from excellent transport facilities like frequent rail and bus services, and it also has good access to motorways. The cost of living is high due to high income, low unemployment rates, and excellent educational opportunities. Because of spacious properties with premium facilities, this neighbourhood attracts students and professionals and offers a convenient lifestyle. 

3. Solihull

Solihull, in the southeast of Birmingham, is highly desirable and one of the most expensive areas in Birmingham. The neighbourhood offers urban facilities with a suburban feel. Known as one of the most costly neighbourhoods, the cost of living is high, reflecting the area’s prestige and desirable facilities. Local attractions include Touchwood Centre, Malvern Park, and so on. There are frequent train and bus services in and around the city. Strong job market, high quality of life, excellent schools, and green spaces attract families and professionals. 

4. Harborne

Harborne is a charming Victorian neighbourhood and one of the rich areas in Birmingham, west of the city centre. It is highly desirable with a high-quality lifestyle and village atmosphere. The area has a long history, with the first mention of Harborne in writing being in 1806 in the Domesday Book. Housing options range from stylish flats to detached homes, period properties like Victorian and Edwardian houses, making it convenient for students and professionals. Public transportation is good, as there are trains and buses available even on university roads. This place boasts of great leisure options, pubs, communities, excellent schools, delicious food, shops, and even health clubs. The safe neighbourhoods and warm and social lifestyle attract families and students to Harborne. 

5. Moseley

Moseley is located in the south of Birmingham and is famous as one of the rich areas in Birmingham. The suburb has a bohemian vibe and is an attractive alternative to city centre living. A cultural hotspot, it is known as one of the best places for music lovers. The suburb is famous for Moseley’s farmers market, Moseley Park, and Moseley Road Baths. These attractions make Moseley a popular and one of the most expensive areas in Birmingham.
Local amenities like pubs, restaurants, shops, parks, and green spaces make the cost of living high, but make the area a quiet favourite for all. 

6. Four oaks

Four Oaks is one of the desirable and rich areas in Birmingham, known for its luxury and high property values. It borders Sutton Park, providing residents with access to green spaces.  Prestigious properties on private roads, cinema rooms, garden studios, ample garaging spaces, luxury housing, and top schools and facilities make Four Oaks popular and well considered. Housing options include large and detached houses, making the cost of living high. Direct rail links and motorways make public transportation affordable and convenient. Four Oaks is perfect for those who want to live a luxurious and quality life. 

7. Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter is recognised as a historic city that sits at the heart of Birmingham. One of the most iconic neighbourhoods, it has over 500 jewellery businesses. Housing options are luxurious, including modern flats and stylish flats with a central and fashionable vibe. Regular buses, metro, and tram services ensure good public transportation. The trendy cafes, shops, nightlife, museums, jewellery workshops, and excellent schools make this area a top choice. This is one of the poshest areas in Birmingham to live for creatives and young professionals, and for those who want a laid-back lifestyle with natural views and access to the city centre and other facilities. 

8. Digbeth

Digbeth, located in the east of Birmingham’s city centre, is one of the city’s coolest, creative and dynamic neighbourhoods. It hosts the Commonwealth Games, volleyball, and basketball events, making it popular among other neighbourhoods. It was once an industrial hub, and today it is a creative hub. The housing options are costly as they include stylish and modern flats, built into the area’s old warehouses. The melting pot culture here is very famous. Well connected by metro and bus, the public transport is reliable and affordable. The area is known for its artistic vibe, creative studios, cafes, galleries, markets, and young professionals, which is why it is known as a creative hub. Digbeth attracts young professionals and creative people, making it one of the best and most expensive areas in Birmingham. 

9. Bournville

Bournville is one of the historic, picturesque, and poshest areas in Birmingham, constructed in 1990 by the Cadbury family, and home to the Cadbury World. With its unique architecture, the area gives a village-like feel. Most people come to Bournville for the history of chocolate and its close-to-nature peace. Housing costs a bit high due to charming cottages and houses that give a family atmosphere. Transport is convenient, there are train links to the city and frequent bus services. The area adopts sustainable practices like The Clean Kilo, the UK’s largest zero-waste supermarket. High-quality homes, excellent schools, large parks, green spaces, Arts & Crafts architecture, and a safe atmosphere make Bournville one of the best and rich areas in Birmingham. 

10. Westside

Located in the city centre, Westside is a rich neighbourhood in Birmingham. Situated along the Old Canal, it has a trendy vibe, with waterside views. One of the wealthy areas, the neighbourhood boasts of multi-screen cinema theatres, entertainment venues, numerous restaurants, bars, art galleries, and a wide range of cafes. The area is easy for cyclists and pedestrians with well-connected public transport links. The convenient transport options, nearby facilities, home to over 300 businesses and leisure venues, and a metro operating with batteries make Westside favoured by students, families, and even professionals. 

The UK displays some of the wealthiest areas and is known for offering some of the best places to live in Birmingham. Edgbaston is famous for Victorian-style houses and greenery near the centre. Harborne is a mix of luxury and affordability with top-rated schools. Solihull features large and spacious homes along with shopping. Moseley is a creative and lively area. The Jewellery Quarter exudes trendy houses and cafés, while Sutton Coldfield offers big homes, parks, and a relaxed, family vibe. 

With plenty of student nightlife, theatres, museums, and big places like Sutton Park and the Bullring, Birmingham is an excellent city. Students also benefit from free events, cheap entertainment,  affordable housing, and healthcare services. 

In this blog, we have explored some of the richest areas in Birmingham, which are affordable, convenient, and luxurious. Be it a lively student hub or a quiet neighbourhood, Birmingham offers something for every lifestyle. Now that you have chosen your ideal neighbourhood to live in, check out some of the best student accommodation in Birmingham, UK that Amber has to offer you!