Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK, following behind England’s capital, London. With major regeneration projects being carried out over the last decade, Birmingham continues to grow its population, making the city appealing to investors. The strong demand for housing is driven by a range of groups, for example, professional athletes for local clubs and students attending university. In comparison to London, Birmingham offers a more affordable option for investors where they can still achieve strong returns from their investments.
Birmingham is known for its train station situated in Grand Central, which was one of Birmingham’s major regeneration projects just over 10 years ago. The station currently sits in the top 5 of busiest train stations in the UK, with great connections to major cities like London and Manchester, making the commute for locals extremely convenient. Having fast rail connections makes the city attractive to professionals who may work in those major cities, particularly London, with the cost of living in London considerably higher than in Birmingham. A 10-minute train ride away from New Street, you will get to Birmingham Airport. From the airport, you can fly to all sorts of destinations, from a direct long-haul flight to Dubai to popular holiday destinations like Spain or Greece. Having an airport which offers flights to most countries is a major driver for businesses and international students.
A key contributor to Birmingham continuing to be a hotspot for investment is the employment opportunities Birmingham offers, driving property demand from professionals. Many large businesses, such as Mondelēz International have offices based in Birmingham due to its central location and lower overhead costs, unlike the next biggest city in the UK. The combination of employment opportunities and more affordable living costs than other major cities makes Birmingham a really attractive city for professionals wanting to relocate, contributing to a strong rental market for investors.
Birmingham is fortunate to not only have one university but three universities, which are all very respected places to study, attracting students from across the UK and internationally. This is another reason in itself, having great international transport links allows international students to easily relocate, but also visit home when they want to. The three universities contributing to the housing demand (particularly in the Selly Oak area) are the University of Birmingham, Aston University and Birmingham City University. There is a constant demand for housing with the tens of thousands of students who require accommodation every year. On top of this, many students, once they graduate, choose to stay in Birmingham. This is a great market to enter for investors as there is always demand and a range of investment options, such as student accommodation or private apartments to rent.
The sport on offer in Birmingham is unmatched, adding to its attractiveness as a place to live and invest. Some of the sporting venues are not only recognised locally but internationally, attracting visitors from all over the world. One of the most famous cricket grounds in the world, Edgbaston, home to the Warwickshire County Cricket Club and the Warwickshire Bears, not only play their fixtures there but also regularly hosts international matches. In addition, Football plays a huge role in Birmingham’s community, home to clubs such as Aston Villa F.C. and Birmingham City F.C., who both have big, passionate fanbases. These sporting venues provide attractions to potential tenants.
Outside of sport, individuals’ lifestyles have become an important factor when they’re looking for somewhere to live. Birmingham is filled with all kinds of things to do to fit every individual’s requirements, providing the perfect balance between professional opportunities and quality of life. Starting with one of the UK’s leading destinations for shopping, the Bullring, with millions of visitors every year. The Bullring has a whole range of shops from High street brands such as Zara, H&M, Next to more luxury retailers such as Selfridges or Harvey Nichols. Not only can you get well-known brands in Birmingham, but you can also shop in more independent shops in areas like the Jewellery Quarter.
The nightlife of Birmingham has been on its own journey, going through peaks and troughs, but has significantly evolved over the last few years, particularly on Broad Street, known for its bars and clubs. For less-known and more independent bars, Digbeth is up and coming, especially for the younger audience. On the same topic of things to do in the evening, Birmingham has some amazing restaurants to eat out at, with cuisine from all over the world. Two standout restaurants are La Bellezza Italian and Tattu, a Chinese restaurant. Both draw visitors from outside Birmingham, but also nice for local residents to have high-quality restaurants on their doorstep.
Although Birmingham is a major city, there are areas where you can escape the city feel, such as the canal, not quite Venice, but the next best. Alongside the canal, you can experience waterside restaurants, and there are also apartments overlooking the canal.
Another thing Birmingham is known for is its theatres, such as Birmingham Hippodrome. A lot of their shows have previously been in the West End and touring to other major cities. Not only is it more convenient than going to London to watch the show, but also considerably cheaper. There have been some amazing shows over the recent years, such as Matilda The Musical. These shows attract visitors from across the Midlands, not just local residents, supporting the growth of Birmingham’s entertainment industry.
For property investors, investing in a property that is in a desirable area to live is really important to be able to have long-term tenants and also see growth in the value of the property for long-term return.
Birmingham continues to attract property investors thanks to its strong transport links, career opportunities, well-respected universities and the quality of life it offers. The city has experienced major regeneration projects over the last decade, making it a really appealing place to live for tenants. The demand is from a wide range of groups of people, from students to families, making the property investment Birmingham easier to enter the market compared to other major cities across the UK.
Birmingham continues to attract investors thanks to its strong transport links, growing employment opportunities, respected universities and vibrant lifestyle. From major regeneration projects and excellent connectivity to shopping, nightlife, sport and entertainment, the city offers a strong balance between career opportunities and quality of life.
With demand for housing continuing to grow across students, professionals and families, property investment Birmingham remains an attractive option for investors seeking long-term rental demand and potential capital growth in one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities. That’s why many people turn to CityRise for their estimations in Birmingham.
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