Top 5 Best Areas to Live in Birmingham for Students

Who wouldn’t love to settle in lively areas of a city that bustles with peaceful stay, student life, entertainment, and cultural significance? No one would question whether Birmingham is a good place to live because it is a city that has everything for everyone! Moreover, prestigious universities in Birmingham and plenty of accommodation options help in building the next generation of scholars. Most of these student halls in Birmingham are situated in or near some best areas in Birmingham where you can immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere and enjoy university life. This blog sheds light on the best areas in Birmingham and how they offer the finest life choices with different amenities.

Living in Birmingham: A Good or Bad Choice? 

Birmingham is an exciting place to live and acquire a good education. It is famous for its rocketing business culture, art and entertainment events, and student-friendly atmosphere. The city offers a range of career opportunities, shopping centres, and great festivals for all interests.

From pubs and restaurants to exceptional attractions like the Botanical Gardens, Cadbury World and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, there are tons of things to do in Birmingham. Moreover, the city is a hub of great educational institutions such as the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University. It is also home to numerous affordable student housing options that offer top-notch amenities. 

Top 5 Areas to Live in Birmingham for Students 

1. Birmingham City Centre

• Popular for: Shopping, art and music, food, and drink
• Transportation: Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street
• Universities: University of Birmingham
• Nearest Student Accommodation: Bagot Street, Canalside

Birmingham city centre is a place where you can access all of the city’s amenities! It is one of Birmingham’s best areas to live, providing easy access to numerous places. It is located close to the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University. With a strong network of transport links, students can easily visit shopping centres, cafes and restaurants. One of the many fun facts about Birmingham is that the city centre has the largest Primark in the world, which has also won a Guinness World Record. 

The city also has many huge Selfridges and Bullring shopping centres where you can purchase anything you need. Apart from that, student accommodation in Birmingham provides comfortable rooms with exceptional amenities, situated in the proximity of all these hangout spots. Among Top 5 Student Properties in Birmingham are Bagot Street and Canalside, which give premium living experiences with their modern and stylish furnishing. The rates of these properties are usually high due to the affluent amenities. 

2. Edgbaston

• Popular for: Edgbaston Cricket ground, green places, leafy streets
• Universities: University of Birmingham, City South Campus
• Transportation: University Train Station, Midland Metro light rail system
• Nearest Student Accommodation: Beech Gardens

Edgbaston is one of the nice areas in Birmingham with a picturesque atmosphere, a tranquil environment for student accommodation and great connectivity with the city centre. Beech Gardens is one of the finest student accommodation in Edgbaston that offers comfortable and attractive living. Moreover, the area features affluent suburbs and is located close to the University of Birmingham and City South Campus.

Edgbaston is well-known for the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, the world’s oldest lawn tennis club and Edgbaston  Botanical Gardens. It is a good area to live in Birmingham for students who wish for a blend of a peaceful environment and city buzz. And you won’t be worrying about your commute as Edgbaston has the finest transport facilities. 

3. Selly Oak

• Popular for: Vibrant Student Life, Different Cuisines
• Universities: University of Birmingham
• Transportation: Selly Oak Train Station
• Nearest Student Accommodation: Selly Oak Court, 800 Bristol Road

4. Moseley

• Popular for: Peaceful suburbs, food places 
• Universities: University of Birmingham
• Transportation: Birmingham Moor Street Train Station
• Nearest Student Accommodation: Belgrave View

Situated 4.2 miles away from Birmingham’s city centre, Moseley is an alluring suburb with an arty environment. It is considered to be Birmingham’s best area to live. The area is home to various cafes, independent shops, and some of the top restaurants in Birmingham for students. Moseley has a great network of transportation that connects Birmingham’s city centre and other main parts. The transport links are readily available and highly efficient.

The area has green places like Cannon Hill Park and a wealth of eateries such as Lewis and Cafephilia. It also has a famous farmers’ market and music festivals like Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul and Moseley Folk & Arts Festival. Not just this, Moseley has an array of comfortable student accommodation options, such as Belgrave View, which offers modern living experiences. 

5. Digbeth

• Popular for: Business Hubs and creative places 
• Universities: University of Birmingham
• Transportation: Birmingham Moor Street Station
• Nearest Student Accommodation: true Birmingham

Digbeth is situated in the heart of Birmingham city centre. It is one of the best areas to live in Birmingham owing to its innovative businesses, the inventive spirit of creators, and vibrant student life. The Sunday Times recognised this area as ‘Britain’s coolest neighbourhood’ and is known for having a creative pulse with artistic allure. Besides, this area has been in the manufacturing game since the Middle Ages. It is one of the nicest areas in Birmingham that offers a dynamic urban lifestyle with an array of comfortable student accommodation options. 

true Birmingham is an excellent student accommodation in the area that has lavish and comfortable student halls, providing convenience to students. Moreover, Digbeth has a vibrant culinary scene and has famous food vendors such as Baked in Brick and Hanbao. If you are a shopping lover, numerous shops in Digbeth are abundant with unique antiques, bespoke jewellery and flea markets.  

What Should You Consider while Selecting Areas to Live in Birmingham

As a student, if you are having any doubts about choosing areas and student accommodation in Birmingham, consider the following points: 

• Consider Your Budget: Birmingham has both rich and affordable areas to choose from. Take your expenses into consideration and prioritise your neighbourhood according to your financial plans. 
• Ensure Safety: As safety comes first, thoroughly research crime rates in different areas and select those that have good communities with secure student accommodation options. 
• Minimise Your Commute: Search for areas where you can easily travel to universities with less time. Birmingham has a good transport network, so you can commute with ease and won’t miss your morning university lectures.  
• Keep Amenities Nearby: Apart from proximity to universities, also ensure that the area has a good range of supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and hangout spots. 

For more information and clarity, you can refer to our blog on Top 7 Mistakes Students Make When Booking Accommodation.

Cost of Living in Birmingham

Considered Britain’s second-largest city, Birmingham is a city with a rich history and industrial heritage. It is a very nice place to live in terms of diverse student culture, comfortable student halls, thriving businesses, and bustling city culture. If you are a student looking to study in Birmingham, you must consider managing your expenses without breaking your pocket. Here is an estimate of the cost of living in Birmingham:

Students can take reference from the above approximate costs and manage their expenses. To reduce expenses on food and groceries, they can cook with friends. They can also cut their spending by 33% on travel by using 16-25 Railcards. If you are having any difficulty in planning your budget, refer to our cost of living calculator and strategise your expenses accordingly. 

Conclusion 

So, these are some best areas in Birmingham that offer students charming suburban pockets, community spirit and a great lifestyle. Each area has its own unique features and offers comfort and accessibility to its residents. City Centre and Digbeth have a bustling feeling, while Edgbaston features a beautiful neighbourhood. Selly Oak is an entertainment hub, while Moseley has tasty eateries. Moreover, there are various student accommodation options available in or near these areas, surrounded by a good range of supermarkets and transportation links.