Glam libraries, proud industrial heritage and HS2. Welcome to your crash course in all things Brum.
Background
Birmingham became a city of many industries in Victorian England, churning out everything from custard to sulfuric acid. This outstanding industrial and artisanal heritage gives the city many of its unique and – frankly – rad features.
The Jewelry Quarter, Custard Factory, Cadbury World and the city’s extensive canal system are all intergenerational gifts from brilliant Brummies past. Sure, there were some weird and rocky times between now and then, when brutalist architecture seemed hell-bent on destroying the city, but now things are looking great.
Today, the city enjoys a diverse multicultural population, some pioneering city planning projects and houses are 31% cheaper than the capital, making it a popular choice for young professionals to move to. Even better for a Birmingham house share, rents compared to London are 66% lower.
That means the kind of house share Birmingham can offer is going to give considerably more bang for your buck.
Shopping
Birmingham has seen £1bn of retail investment over the last few years: most notably, that shiny new John Lewis on top of the Grand Central Station.
The Mailbox is the place to go for high-end fashion. The Harvey Nichol’s on the ground floor sets the tone for the rest of the building which also has two luxury hotels: Ramada and Malmaison. If this shopping centre isn’t enough for you, head to the Bullring, one of the UK’s biggest malls for all the high street names you know in an innovative multi-level configuration.
Of course, if this is all a bit mainstream (which it definitely, definitely is), you may be more at home at the Custard Factory – a village of independent shops and restaurants (as well as creative agencies and series) by the River Rea.
Food & Drink
In the jewelry quarter you can find the magnificent Lord Clifden pub.
It’s part art gallery, pub and club space, but it has really perfected the pub grub menu, with a cracking range of burgers, and even better range of ales. Over in the Chinese Quarter, check out Minmin Noodle Bar for Hong Kong style noodles with some serious spice and influences from all over South East Asia.
If you are after something fancier, the city is blessed with two Michelin Star restaurants around the cathedral area. Impress your Birmingham house share by taking them to Purnell’s on Cornwall Street for a cocktail before getting stuck into a Michelin Starred lunch menu that won’t break the bank at £35 pounds.
Nightlife
On the Westside, Broad Street is meant to be the nightlife centre of Birmingham. Here you can find Gatecrasher, one of the biggest in the city. It’s one of those dancer/multiplefloors/cater-to-everyone places.
The real clubbing heart of Birmingham is east, in Digbeth. Fantastic night clubs like The Rainbow sit next to creative warehouse spaces like Boxxed and Lab 11, creating a nursery for new talent, conceptual nights and an exciting independent clubbing scene. All this means that if you want proximity to great night life from your house share, Birmingham’s Digbeth is the place to be.
Where to live in Birmingham
Many students in Birmingham move to Selly Oak and leafy Edgebaston. Like London, the arty folk live down south by Moseley Park, where you can find the trendy Midlands Art Centre.
For a fancier place to exist, see Sutton Coldfield. A royal town, it’s known as one of the nicest areas of all of Brum.
Famous for:
Inventing the factor, the steam engine and Black Sabbath. All equally important exports.
So there you have it, the full run down on the capital of the West Midlands. From eating out, to staying up all night, you’ll now be able to hit the ground running when you move into your house share in Birmingham.
