Relocating to the Midlands

[klemster]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on here in quite awhile, but thought it would be a good place to get an honest opinion. I will be relocating to the Midlands within the next two months, just wondering what it's like to live there? I will be looking for rental accommodation when I arrive, any areas I should avoid? I will be looking mainly at Birmingham and Derby I think for property.

As far as I can see taxes are relatively the same as Ireland, but I must look into this in more detail! One thing I would be interested in is the general cost of living?

I won't be bringing my Bravo over so will be looking for a car in a few months, what's car tax and insurance like?

I don't have any specific questions really, but would like to get an idea of what it's like to live there!

 

[volxstu]

Surely its not much of a drive from There to the midlands. I would be tempted to bring the car and fill it with as many personal effects as possible.

Other than that i cant really advise any more.

Keep us posted though as i have considered moving more central myself and would be interested in reading your account.

 

[DaveMcT]

Why not bring the Bravo?

I'm from Derby. PM me if you want the heads up on the better (and not so better) areas. Its always been reasonably priced for property. I cant say about rents.

Derby town is very ordinary (I prefer Stafford), but the Derbyshire is fabulous. The Peak District - WOW!! (enough said), but South Derbyshire is also a great place to be (and live in). Commuting to Brum is good on the train but a pain by road as there are so many rush hour jams.

Birmingham is like any big city it has rough areas economically poor areas and expensive areas. House prices will give some great hints about which is which.

 

[whitz]

80% of Telford is a dump

fuel is high, insurance is high, rent is reasonable

Ash

 

[BlueDan]

Why not try just down the road, in Stoke?!? *

*paid for by Stoke-on-Trent city council

 

[Lolita]

the midlands is a bit **** all over from what i've noticed.

good luck.

 

[ben]

I like Birmingham

 

[Lolita]

I like Birmingham

awwwwwww :hug:

 

[ben]

You live there?

The canal area is/was nice

 

[klemster]

fuel is high, insurance is high

Used to that living in Ireland

Why not bring the Bravo?

There's the hassle of bringing it over, then having it registered and MOT'd etc., and I've had the car for 5 years I'd say at this stage so seems like a good time to sell up and get something different.

I'm from Derby. PM me if you want the heads up on the better (and not so better) areas. Its always been reasonably priced for property. I cant say about rents.

Derby town is very ordinary (I prefer Stafford), but the Derbyshire is fabulous. The Peak District - WOW!! (enough said), but South Derbyshire is also a great place to be (and live in). Commuting to Brum is good on the train but a pain by road as there are so many rush hour jams.

Birmingham is like any big city it has rough areas economically poor areas and expensive areas. House prices will give some great hints about which is which.

I live in the country at the moment so I don't think I want to live right in the city, but I'll be depending on public transport for the first few months so can't be too far out at the same time! I'll have to get onto an agency to sort it out!

Thank you!

Surely its not much of a drive from There to the midlands. I would be tempted to bring the car and fill it with as many personal effects as possible.

All my relocation costs are covered so don't have to worry about having to load up the car! As I said above I think it's time for a change anyway.

Why not try just down the road, in Stoke?!? *

*paid for by Stoke-on-Trent city council

That's a bit far out from where I will be working, Derby is closer and there's a direct flight from Cork into Birmingham so that why I'm looking in those areas!

the midlands is a bit **** all over from what i've noticed.

Great :bang:

Edit: I was going to thank everyone but everything has changed on the site and I can't find the thank button - so thanks everyone

 

[Shadeyman]

I've lived in the Midlands all my life. There's a few nice area's but in general its a dump.

I lived in Pattingham, a couple of mile West of Wolverhampton for a year, I liked it there, lovely little village.

Edit
If you decide the Wolverhampton area is ok work wise I may be able to help sort accommodation for you.

 

[BlueDan]

That's a bit far out from where I will be working, Derby is closer and there's a direct flight from Cork into Birmingham so that why I'm looking in those areas!

That was sarcasm, should have made it a bit clearer

 

[GeorgeDamper]

I live near to a motorway junction and would always make that a prerequisite when looking to relocate. Somewhere on the Notts / Derby border might be agood place to look.

 

[Lolita]

spent a lot of time in Stoke and some time in Bromsgrove and Brimingham.

Both Stoke and Birmingham have nice bits much like anywhere.

Bromsgrove is nicer.

 

[DaveMcT]

South Derby and (to a lesser extent) Burton on Trent are are great for motorways. Willington to the very south of Derby is a village on the main line to B'ham New Street. Check out tickets costs on www.trainline.com. Dont forget East Midlands (Nottingham) Airport for popping home.

Stafford is closer but probably similar train costs. You could also consider Lichfield (expensive but really nice) or Tamworth (boring but ok). At least its better than Telford. Tamworth straddles the N-S mainline to London and the East-West Cardiff to Newcastle line.

I like Birmingham. Its a bit of a sprawl but it has its good bits though some are extortionately expensive.

To the south of Brum its really nice but not cheap. Stockbroker belt TBH.

Property? personally I think UK has nowhere near hit the bottom so renting makes sense and put the cash into gold.

 

[Stealth Locky]

How about Lincoln?

 

[klemster]

South Derby and (to a lesser extent) Burton on Trent are are great for motorways. Willington to the very south of Derby is a village on the main line to B'ham New Street. Check out tickets costs on www.trainline.com. Dont forget East Midlands (Nottingham) Airport for popping home.

Stafford is closer but probably similar train costs. You could also consider Lichfield (expensive but really nice) or Tamworth (boring but ok). At least its better than Telford. Tamworth straddles the N-S mainline to London and the East-West Cardiff to Newcastle line.

I like Birmingham. Its a bit of a sprawl but it has its good bits though some are extortionately expensive.

To the south of Brum its really nice but not cheap. Stockbroker belt TBH.

Property? personally I think UK has nowhere near hit the bottom so renting makes sense and put the cash into gold.

I will be working in Burton, but my new employers advised to live in Derby or Birmingham as there isn't much in Burton. I was only in Burton for a few hours and didn't have a chance to look around because I flew in and out on the same day.

There aren't any flights to the south of Ireland from the East Midlands so that doesn't really suit, flying into Dublin would mean a drive of around 2 and a half hours to Cork

Thanks for all the info , I have paid accommodation for at least 4 weeks so I have some time to look around and find something decent! Will let you know how I get on!

How about Lincoln?

Brilliant.

 

[DaveMcT]

In that case go for Lichfield or Tamworth closer to Brum airport. Burton is actually OK for home - nice & quiet. South Derbyshire (Swadlincote, Moira and the other ex coal mining areas) is still quite cheap, but the morning queues into Burton can be a pain.

The area between Lichfield/Tamworth and Burton is quite posh so more costly.

I wont be around until late May - stuck in grungy Pontypridd (South Wales) with exams.

 

[jip0]

i moved to worcester to go to uni and i rather like it there close enough to brum and where i live is about a 5 min drive from the motorway

 

[DaveMcT]

I like Worcester but avoid the town centre when its floods.
I was there in 2007 (I think it was) when floods closed most of Hereford & Worcestershire an the M5.