Find the Best Place to Live in Birmingham UK | Dangerous Areas and Safe Areas In Birmingham, Schools, Job Opportunities, and More!

Birmingham is the second most populated city in England and the UK, with a city population of 1,144,919.

It is located in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom, close to Coventry, Wolverhampton, and Dudley.

If you are looking to move to a new city in the UK, you might want to consider Birmingham.

It is one of the best places to live in the UK, attracting people with its diverse environment, vast employment opportunities, and cultural and recreational activities.

Moving to a new city can prove to be daunting, especially if you are not familiar with the area.

In this article, you will learn key facts about Birmingham that will help you better decide whether or not to move to this city.

This article reveals the safest and most dangerous areas in Birmingham.

Moreover, you will read about factors that need to be considered before moving, the best areas for shopping and recreational activities, and many more.

In summary, the topics of the article are:

The Safest Areas in Birmingham UK
The Most Dangerous Areas in Birmingham UK
The Best Schools for Education in Birmingham UK
The Best Areas for Recreational Activities in Birmingham UK
The Best Areas for Shopping in Birmingham UK
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Place to Live in Birmingham UK
Frequently Asked Questions About Birmingham UK

The Safest Areas in Birmingham UK

As safety is a top priority, let’s focus on the areas with low crime reports.

An area is deemed safe depending on a number of reasons, such as low crime rates and low risk of violent crimes.

Violent crimes, vehicle thefts, property crimes, drugs, robberies, and sexual offences are some of the common indicators of crime rates.

Based on these factors and the data provided by West Midlands Police, here are the top five safest areas in Birmingham UK and key facts about them.

1. Yardley Wood East

Yardley Wood East is the safest area in Birmingham, with only 99 crimes reported in November 2022.

Its highest crime reported is 44 violence and sexual offences reports, followed by 19 anti-social behaviour, 11 criminal damage and arson and 25 other crimes reports. It ha

With a population of 10,327, it is the city’s 57th most populous area.

According to the Yardley East Ward Factsheet of Birmingham City Council, the area ranks 32nd out of 69 in the city with the highest average income and 43rd in the Index of Deprivation.

Moreover, it has an employment rate of 68% and an NVQ4+ Qualifications rate of 20%.

2. Lyndon Green

There were 97 crimes reported in November 2022, of which violence and sexual offences were the highest, with 52 reports.

The other common crimes reported were 13 public order reports, 10 criminal damage and arson crimes, and 22 all other crimes.

Lyndon Green is within the boundaries of Sheldon Police Station. The area has several schools available, such as King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy, Elms Farm Primary School, and Stanville Primary School.

It also has several green spaces and parks, including Hatchford Brook Golf Club, Sheldon Country Park, and Kents Moat Recreation Ground.

3. Moseley

Located in south Birmingham, Moseley is a popular suburb preferred not only for its leisure and residential opportunities but for its low crime reports.

In November 2022, there were 152 crimes reported. Of the total, there were 48 violence and sexual offences, 26 vehicle crimes, 15 shoplifting reports, and 63 all other crimes.

It is a desirable place for young professionals as there are numerous cafés and restaurants to dine in, stores to shop at, and bars to have a night out.

According to the Moseley Ward Factsheet of Birmingham City Council, the suburban ward is the 12th most populated ward with a population of 21,676.

Moreover, it ranks 12th out of 69 with the highest average income with an employment rate of 63.6%.

4. Hall Green

Hall Green is divided into two wards: Hall Green North Ward and Hall Green South Ward.

Hall Green North has a population of 21,509, while Hall Green South has a population of 10,420. In November 2022, there were a total of 187 crimes reported in Hall Green.

Of the total, 90 were violent and sexual offences, 25 were vehicle crimes, 19 were burglary, and 53 were all other crimes.

In terms of average income and employment rate, Hall Green South Ward ranks 13th out of 69 wards with an average income of £18,730 and has an employment rate of 73.1%.

On the other hand, Hall Green North Ward ranks 43rd with an average income of £15,654 and has an employment rate of 61.1%.

5. Brandwood

The next safest area in the city is Brandwood, which covers Brandwood End and borders King’s Norton, King’s Heath, and Highers Heath.

The area had 195 crime reports in November 2022, of which 84 were violence and sexual offences, 25 were vehicle crimes, 19 were public order, and 67 were all other crimes.

Based on the Brandwood & Kings Heath Ward Factsheet, it has a total population of 18,948, making it the 28th most populated ward out of 69 in the city.

Of the total population, 72.6% are White, 16.6% are Asian, and 4.6% are Black.

It also has a high employment rate compared to other wards, with a percentage of 70.6%. Moreover, it ranks 10th on its average income, with an average individual income of £19,348.

The Most Dangerous Areas in Birmingham UK

It is important to know which areas of Birmingham are considered unsafe in order to protect you and your family and know what to expect.

Based on crime statistics by West Midlands Police, here are the top five dangerous areas in Birmingham UK.

1. City Centre

The City Centre or Central Birmingham is considered the most dangerous area in Birmingham, with a total of 1,511 crimes reported in November 2022.

Of the total crime report, 529 were violence and sexual offences, 182 were theft, 177 were theft from the person, and 623 were all other crimes.

The crime report includes data from some of its districts, including Gun Quarter, City Centre Core, Westside, and Digbeth.

Being a central business district of Birmingham, it is no surprise it has one of the highest reported crimes.

Central business districts are typically densely populated with busy streets, making it more advantageous to commit a crime.

Nevertheless, it is still the best place to find job opportunities, explore many places of interest, and study among its large educational institutions.

2. Sparkbrook

Sparkbrook had 391 crimes reported in November 2022, 396 crimes in October 2022, and 340 crimes in September 2022.

In November 2022 data, there were 167 Violence and sexual offences, 59 public order crimes, 27 vehicle crimes, and 138 all other crimes.

The area is located in the southeast region of Birmingham, just 3.6 miles from the City Centre.

It has a total population of 32,415 with a population density of 79.8 per hectare.

According to Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East Ward Factsheet, the area has a younger age profile, where 35.8% are under 18 and 30.5% are between 25 and 44 years old.

Moreover, it ranks as the 5th area with the lowest average income, with an individual average income of only £11,869.

3. Erdington

Erdington is a suburb and ward with 361 crimes reported in November 2022, which comprises 182 violence and sexual offences, 33 burglaries, 32 criminal damage and arson crimes, and 114 all other crimes.

It is located northeast of Birmingham City Centre, just 4.7 to 4.8 miles away.

Based on the Erdington Ward Factsheet by Birmingham City Council, the ward has a population of 18,603, ranking it the 29th most populated ward.

Additionally, the ward has an older demographic, with 28.5% of those aged 25 to 44 years old, 24.5% aged 45 to 64 years old, and 17.0% aged 65 and above.

It also ranks 21st with the highest average income with an average individual income of £17,362.

There are also several places of interest, including The Fort Shopping Park, Erdington Parish Church, Erdington Swimming Baths, and Erdington Library.

4. Lozells and Handsworth

Lozells and Handsworth wards are both in the inner-city area of Birmingham. Both wards used to be one ward under Lozells and East Handsworth ward until 2018 before turning into single wards.

Together, the two wards have a combined reported crime of 461.

Out of 461 crimes reported in November 2022, 231 were violent and sexual offences, 40 were burglaries, 35 were public order crimes, and 155 were all other crimes.

As stated in the Lozells Ward Factsheet and Handsworth Ward Factsheet, Lozells Ward ranks as the 8th ward with the lowest average income, whereas Handsworth Ward ranks as the 12th ward with the lowest average income.

Moreover, it is among the most deprived wards in the city, ranking 3rd in the Index of Deprivation for Lozells and 20th for Handsworth.

5. Tyburn

Tyburn is the 5th most dangerous area in Birmingham, with a total crime report of 357 crimes in November 2022, 343 crimes in October 2022, and 369 crimes in September 2022.

In the November 2022 crime report, 135 were violent and sexual offences, 55 were theft reports, 33 were vehicle crimes, and 134 were all other crimes. The ward is close to another dangerous area, Erdington, which is only 2.4 to 2.7 miles away.

The ward includes the areas of Castle Vale, Fort Parkway, Pype Hayes, and Birches Green.

It is famous for its several landmarks, such as Hollyfields Sports & Conference Centre, Fort Dunlop, and Pype Hayes Park. There are 25,927 people living here, and the population density is 29.1 people per hectare.

The Best Schools for Education in Birmingham UK

If education is your priority, you should move to an area with your desired school. Birmingham provides excellent educational opportunities for both kids and adults.

England’s largest local education authority is Birmingham City Council which is responsible for handling a wide range of primary and secondary schools, as well as a number of private schools.

There are 25 nursery schools, 328 primary schools, 77 secondary schools, as well as 29 special schools to choose from in Birmingham UK.

Some of the popular schools are:

For further and higher education, you can find five universities, several major campuses, and vocational schools.

These schools include:

The Best Places for Recreational Activities in Birmingham UK

Birmingham is home to several museums to learn about science and history, such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Pen Museum, The Coffin Works, and Museum Collection Centre, Birmingham Museums Trust.

You can also explore the National Trust – Birmingham Back to Backs, four fully restored historic houses offering guided tours illustrating what it was like living between 1840 and 1977.

If you are not keen on museums or history, you can always go to the city’s beautiful green spaces, including Cannon Hill Park in Moor Green, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Chad Valley, and the Lickey Hills Country Park in Lickey.

Moreover, you can further appreciate nature and water at Edgbaston Reservoir in Rotton Park.

The Best Areas for Shopping in Birmingham UK

The best place to shop from corner to corner is in the City Centre. The area has several shopping malls and small boutiques to shop for a variety of items, such as high-street fashion and gadgets.

Check out the following shopping centres:

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Place to Live in Birmingham UK

Not one or two things make a city the best place to live. Although safety is a top priority for most, there are other considerations that you need to think about and compare with others.

It is important to consider a few factors when choosing a place to live in Birmingham, including the following:

Safe areas as indicated by low crime rates

The safety of a new area is usually the dealbreaker before moving in. In addition to giving you peace of mind when going outside, it is one of the factors that enhance your quality of life as well.

Make sure you check out the crime rate and safety rankings of the area you want to live in.

Employment opportunities and career growth

Consider the city’s job market. Find out which major industries are available, how much the average salary is, and what kind of jobs are available according to your skill set.

Knowing the job market is essential if you are looking forward to a stable career or career growth for the long term.

A diverse job market can also help you discover other career opportunities you would like to explore for a change of career.

Access to healthcare

Your health should also be a priority, so the area you wish to live in should have access to medical care and can utilise your insurance coverage should you need to use it.

Research the availability of healthcare services and the quality of care, from small clinics to big hospitals. You can also check out government and community health centres and programs.

Cost of living

Make sure you know how much it costs to live in the area. Make a computation on possible expenses, including rent, food, transportation, taxes, and healthcare costs.

Depending on the cost and your average monthly income, you can determine if your salary will be sufficient to support your daily expenses.

If you can sustain your daily needs, it will have a strong impact on the standard of life you desire.

Educational Institutions

The quality of schools for children and the close vicinity of school to your possible residence should also be considered.

If you are looking to further your studies, check to see what programs are available at the schools you are interested in.

Amenities, culture, and recreational facilities

One of the factors that improve the quality of life is the availability of recreational opportunities.

Make sure that the city has places where you can relax and do hobbies, like green parks, rivers, gyms, hobby studios, and shopping centres.

You can also explore the area’s cultural aspects, including museums, art galleries, festivals, historical landmarks, and community events.

Transportation options

Public transportation should make it easy for you to travel around and reach the places you want to go.

Look at the available transportation options in the area, such as trains, railways, and buses.

If you plan on biking, check out the bike lanes to see if it is a bike-friendly area.

Climate

Last but not least, the climate of the area is one of the things you should consider. Whether you prefer warm, sunny weather or cool and snowy weather is a matter of personal preference.

Depending on the climate, you will also be able to do different activities such as snowboarding or beach swimming.

Keep it mind you will also have to take into account your consumption of energy depending on the weather, such as the use of heating or cooling devices.

After careful consideration of the factors above, you will be able to decide whether Birmingham UK is the right place for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Birmingham UK

What is the crime rate in Birmingham?

According to crime rate statistics, the overall crime rate in Birmingham was 137 crimes per 1,000 people in 2021.

In this city, the crime rate is about 17% higher than the overall crime rate of West Midlands, with 118 crimes per 1,000 people.

What industries are prominent in Birmingham UK?

Birmingham has a large and diverse economy and is the hub of the manufacturing and engineering industries.

It is home to Gun Quarter, a district known for its gun-manufacturing industry.

Aside from manufacturing, the economy of Birmingham also relies on service, education, and health industries.

What hospitals are available in Birmingham UK?
Birmingham is home to several hospitals, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham City Hospital, Moseley Hall Hospital, The Priory Hospital, The Edgbaston Hospital, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

What is the cost of living in Birmingham UK?

Housing, transportation, and lifestyle all play a role in determining the cost of living in Birmingham.

Compared to the cost of living in London, consumer prices in Birmingham are about 22% lower than in London, whereas rent prices in Birmingham are about 54% lower than in London.

Moreover, Numbeo’s comparison of London and Birmingham’s cost of living shows that most people will need around £3,373.8 a month to live comfortably.

What public transportation can I ride in Birmingham UK?

Getting around Birmingham and to other parts of the country is easy thanks to the excellent transport links.

The city is well-connected by trains, trams, and buses, including:

To Sum Up

Throughout this guide, we have highlighted the safest and most dangerous neighbourhoods in Birmingham, along with its job opportunities, recreational activities, educational institutions, and crime rates.

The best place to live ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities.

It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for vibrant nightlife or great job opportunities, Birmingham can accommodate your needs.

Nevertheless, always take into account your safety. No matter where you may be, practice safety measures that won’t attract crime offenders.

Safe practices are as simple as avoiding walking alone at night or making sure your doors are locked.

If you are looking for other places to live in the UK, Winterville has several guides on UK locations.

In case you still are not sure if Birmingham is the right place for you, you can compare it with other best places to live in the UK. Here are some guides worth reading.