Living in Birmingham
The quality of life in Britain’s second city is high and our residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to filling their spare time. High quality affordable housing, an excellent transport system and a rich and diverse cultural offering make Birmingham an ideal home.
Our city offers people a great place to live, work and visit, as well as providing an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate
Birmingham Facts
- Birmingham has the largest number of young people in its city than any of its European counterparts. Of the city’s hugely multicultural population, a staggering 40% is made up of people under 25*.
- Birmingham does in fact have more canals running through it than the prestigious Italian town. Venice has 26 miles of canal while Birmingham has 35 miles.
- Birmingham has staged more world and European sports championships that any other UK city, and has produced some of the most iconic trophies; with the FA Cup and Wimbledon Men’s & Ladies singles trophies being top of the list.
Living in Birmingham
Birmingham has been re-born as a prominent shopping and entertainment destination. Major developments and a shift in attitude has seen visitors flock to Birmingham for shopping, a great meal or a night on the town.
- Grand Central shopping centre surrounds this station built for the future! Hop off the train and head straight to a wide choice of shops, cafes and restaurants.
- The landmark Bullring Shopping Centre is home to over 160 major high street retailers including one of only 4 Selfridges stores in the UK.
- Birmingham has no shortage of places to refuel - from relaxed breakfast cafes to upmarket nightspots, not forgetting our iconic Balti Triangle!
- Steeped in history, Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter dates back over 250 years and is home to more than 500 jewellery businesses.
- There is so much culture to enjoy in Birmingham including, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the Library of Birmingham and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.
Education
Birmingham is home to over 400 schools, providing a rich choice of institutions and ensuring that your children receive the best possible education.
The Trust takes education very seriously and ensures that every child has access to the highest possible standards of teaching as a top priority. This has been an area of great success; 81% of Local Authority schools are classified as good – excellent by OFSTED and GCSE and A-level results both stand above the national average.
Birmingham’s commitment to top quality education doesn’t stop there; for those seeking higher education there are a number of respected establishments to choose from including the University of Birmingham, Aston University and Birmingham City University.
Transport
Taking its place in the heart of England, Birmingham boasts excellent transport links both within the city and surrounding areas as well as with the rest of the country and Europe.
Birmingham’s bustling main station, New Street, has been completely overhauled making it a free-flowing travel hub designed to service the thousands of local and national rail travellers who pass through it each day. Around the station Grand Central has been built creating new pedestrian links and a new central mall that serves commuters and city shoppers alike.
Birmingham’s extensive bus network connects the entire city allowing residents to reach even the far corners with ease. Our excellent transport system has made 98% of the UK’s consumer and business markets within 4 hour’s travel time. This also makes Birmingham accessible to over 400 million people.