Birmingham, known as the “city of a thousand trades,” is a vibrant and diverse city, and the second largest in the UK after London. As the commercial, financial and cultural centre of the West Midlands, it is home to a vast array of industries, including manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, education, and creative industries. Its bustling city centre attracts a large number of workers and students from all over the world.
Birmingham Commuter Towns
However, for those who prefer a quieter lifestyle or more space to raise a family, there are plenty of reasons to consider moving away from the city centre. The surrounding areas of Birmingham offer an abundance of commuter towns, making the commute to and from Birmingham easy with access to the city via public transport, making it an ideal location for those looking for a quieter lifestyle and a key relocation spot for those who have looked to sell house fast with a company such as We Buy Any Home and relocate to start afresh.
Solihull
Average house price: £301,197
Distance to Birmingham: 12 minutes by public transport
Cost to commute: £6.30 for an anytime day return
Solihull is an historic market town and one of the most affluent areas of the UK outside London. It offers excellent schools, quaint cafes and eateries, and plenty of shopping opportunities. The surrounding area is mostly green space, making it perfect for those looking for a quieter lifestyle.
Leamington Spa
Average house price: £397,646
Distance to Birmingham: 35 minutes by public transport
Cost to commute: £2,224 annually
Leamington Spa is a spa town located a little further out from Birmingham. It offers a complete retreat from fast-paced living after the working day, with plenty of open and green spaces to enjoy in your downtime, as well as an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and pubs. It’s also a top-rated location for families with children of all ages, with plenty of high-quality primary and secondary schools.
Lichfield
Average house price: £356,860
Distance to Birmingham: 35 minutes by public transport
Cost to commute: £1,300 annually
Lichfield is located just 18 miles north of Birmingham, offering a great balance between proximity to and distance from the central hubbub. With gorgeous green spaces right on your doorstep and a wide range of good and outstanding schools in the area, Lichfield is a desirable option for commuters with kids.
Dudley
Average house price: £200,364
Distance to Birmingham: 15 minutes by public transport
Cost to commute: £5.50 for an anytime day return
Dudley offers some of the most affordable property prices of all towns near Birmingham, making it a popular location for Black Country commuters. With a wide collection of shops, cafes, and pubs in the area, there’s plenty to do on the weekends. Dudley has a historic, ancient castle which is a must-visit tourist attraction, with many people visiting it at at sun rise as the light breaks over the turrets. Perfect for an Instagram snap!
Tamworth
Average house price: £243,696
Distance to Birmingham: 18 minutes by public transport
Cost to commute: £1,468 annually
Tamworth is located less than 20 miles from Birmingham and offers exceptional value for money. It has excellent transport links for a comfortable commute, top primary and secondary schools, and plenty of boutique stores, restaurants, and independent pubs to explore. Tamworth even has its own indoor ski slope for a unique weekend entertainment experience.
Transport Links in Birmingham
Efficient and convenient transportation links are crucial for any thriving city, and Birmingham has plenty of them. With eight local rail lines, a reliable bus system, an expanding tram network and miles of cycling routes, Birmingham offers residents and visitors multiple options for getting around the city and beyond. Whether you’re commuting to work, exploring the city’s attractions, or venturing out to neighbouring towns, Birmingham’s diverse transportation links have got you covered.
Rail
Birmingham boasts eight local rail lines that intersect throughout the city, facilitating convenient access to local hotspots, neighbourhoods, and services connecting to other UK cities and towns. As a central transport hub, Birmingham is situated at the core of the UK’s rail network and receives 52 million passengers annually at its Birmingham New Street Station alone. Additionally, the city’s stations offer easy passage to Birmingham International, complete with its own airport station, for those looking to fly in and out of the region.
Air
Birmingham Airport is conveniently located just 10 minutes away from the city centre, making it the perfect gateway to the region and beyond. With over 400 global destinations and 50 airlines, it is the UK’s fifth largest airport and a hub for business travellers. The airport is well equipped with cafes, bars, restaurants, and retailers, as well as several hotel chains on-site or nearby. The quickest way to the city centre is by train, with a free and rapid monorail link connecting the terminal to the transport hub. Alternatively, local buses and coaches are also available to connect the airport with the city centre and other destinations.
Buses
Accessing bus timetables, fare details, and route planning is made easy by Transport for West Midlands through their online platform. Many local buses now feature amenities such as low floors to accommodate wheelchair users and individuals with pushchairs. In Birmingham, buses cannot be hailed on the streets and passengers must board and alight at designated bus stops.
Tram
The West Midlands Metro operates on a regular schedule 7 days a week, providing a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation. It runs from The Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square to various stops such as Grand Central (for New Street Station), Bull Street Public Transport Interchange, St Paul’s, and the Jewellery Quarter.
The Metro network is constantly expanding, and it takes only 40 minutes to travel from Birmingham to Wolverhampton via the Metro.
Cycling
What could be a better way to commute to and from Birmingham and the surrounding areas than on a bike, especially with its compact city centre and miles of canals?
The Birmingham Cycle Revolution team has carefully selected a range of traffic-free cycling routes that cater to people of all ages and abilities. Many of these routes have benefited from improvements and developments as part of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution project, and more are yet to come.
From rail to cycling, Birmingham’s transportation infrastructure is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of its residents and visitors. The city’s transport network is constantly expanding, with plans for further developments in the pipeline. With the convenience and ease of access offered by Birmingham’s transport links, navigating the city has never been easier. So, whether you’re looking to explore the city’s rich cultural heritage, commute to work, or enjoy the great outdoors, Birmingham’s transportation system is the perfect way to get there.
Commuter Town Options in Birmingham
As we can see, Birmingham offers a variety of commuter towns that are suitable for anyone looking to settle outside the city but still maintain easy access to all that Birmingham has to offer. From affordable Tamworth to the bustling and vibrant Solihull, there is something for everyone. With excellent transportation links, affordable housing, and a range of amenities and attractions, these towns have become increasingly popular with commuters. Whether you are looking for a peaceful rural setting or a thriving urban atmosphere, Birmingham’s commuter towns are definitely worth considering so why not sell house fast and relocate to this wonderful part of the country?
