Second only to London in terms of inner-city population, Birmingham is a major UK city rich in history and industrial heritage. As one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the UK, Birmingham is famous among many for multiple reasons, including its retail and trade status, its thriving art and entertainment scene, and its numerous cultural institutions. 

Birmingham is a vibrant city with plenty to offer; it has something for everyone! Every year, the city of Birmingham hosts over 50 different events and festivals catering to all interests. Additionally, the city is one of the UK’s most visited cities for shopping and a unique culinary experience.

With 40% of Birmingham’s population being under 25, the city is renowned for being a hub for students, aspiring graduates, and young professionals. The city is home to a number of top-ranked universities and learning institutions as well as a thriving business district with plenty of opportunities. 

Birmingham is a safe city with several great places to call home. This, along with its friendly population and the array of available opportunities for people from all walks of life, make Birmingham a desirable place to live. Join us as we tour the city and highlight the best areas to live in Birmingham!

Best Areas to Live in Birmingham

Birmingham is a great place to live with plenty of different districts, areas, and neighbourhoods for you to pick and choose from. Here are some of the best areas to live in Birmingham!

1. Birmingham City Centre

This is one of the best places to live in Birmingham that is at the heart of everything you might need! Birmingham is generally known for being a haven for young people, students and professionals alike, and this is especially evident in the city centre, where everything is accessible! 

If you live in the city centre, you can access transport links, stores, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, libraries, parks, banks, universities, and much more! 

2. Jewellery Quarter

This is one of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods with a rich heritage and over 500 jewellery businesses spread across the entire district. This neighbourhood has more of a laid-back vibe as well as a busy nightlife with several pubs and cocktail bars in the area. Independent businesses and various stores can also be found in the Jewellery Quarter.

This Birmingham neighbourhood has over 200 listed buildings that are ideal for students in the city or those who are just starting out in their careers. Living in the Jewellery Quarter feels like living in an intimateintimate, tight-knit community with easy access to everything the city has to offer!

3. Selly Oak

This is an industrial and residential area in southwest Birmingham, England. The area gains its name from the Selly Oak ward and includes the neighbourhoods of Bournbrook, Selly Park, and Ten Acres. Students attending the University of Birmingham find this neighbourhood most desirable as it’s easy to get to their campus from there as well as find affordable housing in the area. 

4. Edgbaston 

This is one of the best neighbourhoods to live in Birmingham outside of the city centre. This area is home to plenty of green areas, including Birmingham Botanical Gardens. It is a spot for sports fans as it is home to Edgbaston Cricket Ground and the world's oldest lawn tennis club, the Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society.

This neighbourhood is a short journey away from the city centre. It allows you access to several amenities as well as excellent transport links, making it an ideal place to live for those who prefer a quieter lifestyle but still want to be close enough to the hustle and bustle of the city. 

5. Bourneville

Founded in 1900 by chocolate magnate, John Cadbury, Bournville has grown to be more than just a tourist destination for chocolate lovers, but also one of the best places to live in Birmingham. The neighbourhood is known as Birmingham’s garden suburb and is a quintessentially British village; the area is home to stunning green parks, expansive open spaces, and a high street that boasts the largest zero-waste supermarket in the UK – The Clean Kilo. 

Despite being on the pricier side, this neighbourhood is still popular among many due to its many perks and being one of the areas with the best schools and transport links in the city.

6. Digbeth

This Birmingham neighbourhood is coined as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Britain! It’s often described as Birmingham’s ‘bohemian’ district and compared to the likes of Camden and Shoreditch in London; the neighbourhood houses independent shops, pubs and cinemas, making it an ideal place to live for students and young people. 

Digbeth has a diverse housing marketing with several options for potential residents to choose from. It is also home to a vibrant and busy city and nightlife that garners the attention of graduates, young professionals, and both local and international students. 

7 .Eastside

Home to two of Birmingham’s top learning institutions, Aston University and Birmingham City University, Eastside is one of the best areas to live in Birmingham for students. Not only is this the ideal place for both local and international students to call home, but it’s also a great place for graduates to start their careers in the city amidst the pool of available opportunities. 

This accessible neighbourhood has many transport links, stores, restaurants, and student-friendly cafes, and is just a short ride away from London, connecting residents to the nation’s capital with ease and convenience. 

Top Student Accommodation in Birmingham

After delving into the best areas to live in Birmingham, let us take you on another journey to uncover the best student accommodation in Birmingham. Here are some of our top choices that are conveniently located close to the city’s universities, transport links, and amenities for you to choose from! 

The Heights Roost

Located mere minutes away from Aston University and University College Birmingham, this Birmingham student accommodation offers en-suite rooms and self-contained studios for students to choose from, with accessible rooms being available as well. All rooms are fully furnished and come with a double bed with under-bed storage, a wardrobe, storage space, a study area with a desk and a chair, and a private en-suite bathroom. Studios have their own private kitchenette and lounge area, while en-suite rooms have access to a shared kitchen and a shared lounge or living area. 

The property’s various amenities include 24/7 on-site staff, contents insurance, bike storage, secure car parking for an extra charge, on-site laundry facilities, and high-speed Wi-Fi. The communal spaces at this property include a common room, an on-site gym for your daily workouts, and an outdoor courtyard. The property also has a study room that offers students a quiet and peaceful environment to catch up on their work. 

iQ Broderick House

Ulster University’s Birmingham Campus is a short walk away from this Birmingham student housing. The property offers a variety of en-suite rooms, studios, and penthouses that are private, newly refurbished, feature a double bed, and allow free dual occupancy.

The amenities and services provided at this property include Wi-Fi, secure bike storage, laundry, a common social room, and all-inclusive bills. Other services include CCTV, 24/7 security, an on-site gym, insurance, accessibility, a communal games room, and an on-site cinema room. 

The Old Fire Station Roost

This Birmingham student accommodation comes with a number of studios and en-suite rooms that are fitted with high-speed Wi-Fi and on-site laundry facilities. The premises has bike storage, as well as a study room, a large common space, a gym, a games area, and an outdoor space; so whether you want to study, pass time socializing with your flatmates, or work out, you will find the place for it.

The property also has CCTV, free contents insurance, and onsite staff with 24/7 support to help you around the clock, and is conveniently mere minutes away from both Birmingham City University and Aston University. 

iQ Studios 51

This student housing in Birmingham is ideally located between the city’s top universities and institutions, all of which are a short distance away. The property offers students the option to live either in a private self-contained studio or a twin room in a shared two-bedroom apartment. All rooms are fully furnished and come with a double bed. Bathrooms, kitchens, and lounge areas can be either shared or private. 

The property offers different facilities and services. The facilities include Wi-Fi, secure bike storage, on-site laundry facilities, a common social room, and all-inclusive bills. Other services include CCTV, 24/7 security, insurance, accessibility, and a communal games room.

Jennens Court Unite

This Birmingham student home offers a wide selection of both self-contained studios and en-suite rooms for students to choose from, with accessible rooms being available as well. All rooms are fully furnished and come fitted with a ¾ bed with under-bed storage, a wardrobe, curtains, a study area with a desk and a chair, and a private en-suite bathroom.

The property is located close to a couple of the city’s top universities and is fitted with several amenities. These amenities include CCTV security, contents insurance, a fire system, 24/7 assistance, secure access, an on-site service team, and maintenance support. The property also has all-inclusive bills, recycling services, bike storage, printing services at an additional fee, and on-site laundry facilities. The communal spaces there include a common area, an outdoor social space, and a peaceful and quiet study communal study space.

Using this as your guide and finding yourself a home in one of the best areas to live in Birmingham should make your move to the city easy and seamless! Birmingham is a wonderful city that is bustling with life and opportunities, so what are you waiting for? Pack up your bags and book your student accommodation in Birmingham with Casita today! 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the safest area in Birmingham?

Birmingham is generally a safe place to live in. The safest areas in Birmingham are Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, and Edgbaston.

2. Is Birmingham a nice place to live in?

Birmingham is a great place to live and work for young people; the city has the youngest population on the continent, with people under 25 accounting for nearly 40% of the population. There are over 400 schools, 15 universities, and three University colleges both in and within one hour's drive of the city.