Cost of Moving from London to Birmingham [Pros and Cons]

While it will cost around £572 to £1,634 to move from London to Birmingham, have it in mind that the exact cost will depend on the number of services you combine with your removals. Birmingham is a large provincial city with a flourishing economy.

It is one of the most attractive and peaceful places in the UK to live. The city boasts of a lively economy, affordable cost of living, a friendly atmosphere, and is home to Cadbury world. Note that its prosperous population is generally gathered in its leafy suburbs.

On the other hand, London is a global city and its economy has always been and will also remain very broad-based. Note that it includes industry, services, and significantly, international trade. It is industriously outward-facing (to the point that relationships between London and the rest of the UK are often strained by London’s different cultural, political, and economic perspectives).

Have it in mind that London’s prosperous population lives as much in the center as in its suburbs. It is known to be massively critical in terms of the global art scene. It is a very expensive place to live or invest. London, the capital city of the United Kingdom, or the Big Smoke, is known worldwide for its famous world-class universities, nightlife, diversity, art, and culture, and being the hub of budding/growing businesses.

Important Tips for Moving from London to Birmingham

There are numerous reasons why anyone would want to move to Birmingham from London (more on that later); however, if you’ve made up your mind to relocate, here are the top tips to help and guide you.

1. Use Removal Companies

Ensure to carry out extensive research and reach out to removal companies to get some quotes so you can make the right decision. Ensure that the company is reliable, preferably local, and you will need to have a budget in mind for the removal service.

2. Understand the cost of living in Birmingham

Before you move, it is imperative to have an idea of the average cost of living in Birmingham. Note that this will ensure you are prepared financially for your move. Some vital things that might need budgeting are food and transport costs, among others. Also, find out what insurance coverage is necessary, like medical coverage or house insurance.

3. Cancel Your Council Tax

Before completing the actual paperwork and documents with your new home in Birmingham, ensure that everything is set up at your old one. For one, ensure you reach out to the local council to let them know of your move at least a month in advance so you can cancel your council tax.

4. Cancel Utilities In Your Old Home

Aside from canceling your council tax, it is also imperative that you let your utility providers know that you are relocating. You will need them to cancel your utility bill, and this may include canceling your power and water. Always make sure to inform utility providers on time before you set off for Birmingham.

5. Speak With Your Landlord

Before you start packing up, you must inform your landlord (for tenants) or put up your house for sale (for homeowners) at least a month in advance. Note that the earlier you give the notice, the better.

6. Find a Suitable Housing Area Before Moving

Compared with other major cities in the world, house and flat prices in Birmingham are reasonable. While cost and prices will vary from area to area ensure to research the areas and find the one that suits you the most.

7. Ask Your Company For Help

If you’re moving for a job, it is recommended that you ask your company to assist you with the relocation and finding a place to stay. Moving to Birmingham for work is one of the most common reasons people decide to move. Although it is still very much possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.

8. Consider Your Family

Birmingham genuinely has so much to offer families. It has lots of parks and kiddy-oriented activities. It is also close to lots of beautiful countryside and historical sites.

However, when moving with children, it is advisable to carry out thorough research on where the best kindergartens and schools are. The best areas for families include Blackwell, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, Redditch, Tamworth, Solihull, Wythall, Alvechurch, Curdworth, and Knowle.

9. Consider Sharing A Flat Or House

Birmingham is well noted for its many large Victorian houses that offer house shares. Note that with a house share, you will have your room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house. There are many flats available for shared rental as well.

10. Know The Essential Areas

It is also important you invest in knowing the city better by familiarizing yourself with essential areas like your new home and, of course, all of the best shopping venues. Note that you can achieve this by taking walks around town on different days of the week. This will ensure you have a good idea of which crowded streets to avoid and the ones you’ll want to be on for better browsing opportunities.

11. Ask The Locals For Some Advice

This is a very important tip to keep in mind. Truth be told, Birmingham is filled with friendly and helpful people, therefore there’s no need to feel lonely or lost. If you encounter any problems with your move, simply ask other locals around for some advice – they are always willing to lend a hand.

12. Stay Updated

Birmingham is considered a very safe place; however, some areas won’t be as safe as others. Owing to that, always keep an eye on the local papers and websites for news and updates about the city.

13. Explore The City

In Birmingham, you can enjoy world-class theatre, concerts, ballet, and entertainment all in one place. There are numerous restaurants, including Michelin-starred and independent venues, and plenty of bars and cafes. Also note that you can explore the canals, enjoy internationally renowned sporting venues, and the countless surrounding green areas of the city.

14. Feel Free To Ask Questions

Always remember that it is not rude to ask questions in Birmingham. Sometimes misunderstandings happen, especially if English isn’t your first language. If you’re not so certain, just ask, and people will be happy to help and explain. Ask people to repeat or rephrase if you’re not sure what they mean.

15. Always Remember To Leave A Tip

Also, remember that the tipping vulture extends to Birmingham. Therefore, if you visit a pub, restaurant, or café, it is recommended to leave a small amount of money for the waiting staff. Tip 10% of the cost if you liked the service (e.g. £3 on top of a £30 bill).

16. Smoke Outside

If you smoke, always remember that you will need to go outside. Smoking is not permitted in any public areas in Birmingham and including restaurants, bars, shops, and railway stations.

Pros and Cons of Moving from London to Birmingham

There are numerous benefits and disadvantages of moving from London to Birmingham. Before you decide to make the move, here are the pros and cons to consider.

Pros

1. It is A City On The Rise

Birmingham is steadily growing. It simply means that more locations within the city will open up and more businesses will set up shop – all of which you can take advantage of!

2. Cheaper Public Transport

Birmingham genuinely has cheaper public transport when compared to London. When you take into consideration the average monthly cost of using public transport in London, it comes in at around £130. Meanwhile, the same in Birmingham will set you back £57.

3. Cheaper Food And Groceries

Also, note that food and groceries are cheaper in Birmingham. According to reports, you can expect to pay around 5-25% less on your weekly grocery in Birmingham as against London. In addition, it is also cheaper to eat out at restaurants, by around 10-15%.

4. Affordable Housing

Housing is known to be more affordable in Birmingham than in London. For instance, if you were to purchase an apartment in the center of London, you will most likely need to pay £15,869.99 per square meter (£8.242.55 outside the center).

Howbeit, in Birmingham, the same living space would cost around £1,900 (£1,166.67 outside the center of town) – a massive 88% lower price. Renting is also way cheaper in Birmingham, with a 1 bedroom apartment costing around 60% less in the Midlands city and 70% less for a 3-bed place.

5. Lower Population Density

Also, have it in mind that Birmingham has an appreciably lower population density. According to recent reports, people in Birmingham live in conditions that are 39.25% less cramped than those in London. In Birmingham, there are currently 3,739 people per square km, against London’s 5,206 in the same area.

Cons

1. Public Transport Is Not The Most Efficient

While Birmingham boast of a viable transport system, have it in mind that it is not as good as the Tube. Although the tube will get you around the city center, and buses and trains to the outer suburbs, it can be quite expensive and inconsistent.

2. Better Weather in London

It rains a lot in Birmingham. It is also quite cold (like most of England), so if you’re seeking somewhere with a warmer climate, this isn’t the place for you. Since London is further south, it has a higher average temperature than Birmingham and far less rain (by 71 days per year, which has to be said, is a lot.)

3. Life in the Middle

Although a good number of people are attracted to Birmingham as an alternative to London, and it has so much to offer, it is still not quite London. However, it sure has the hustle and noise you would expect from a big city, so if you’re looking for somewhere quieter, perhaps Birmingham isn’t the place for you.

4. Higher Salaries in London

According to reports, the average annual salary in Birmingham is around £22,000. Compared to London’s average, which is around £36,000, it is genuinely a lot less. However, with the monthly expenses – transportation, food, utilities, and rent – Birmingham is more inexpensive. So you will earn less, but you’ll also have less expenditure.

5. The lower unemployment rate in London

Although London witnessed the highest spike in unemployment over the pandemic, when compared to Birmingham, it is better by around 1.6%. Birmingham has the highest claimant unemployment rate (12.4%) amongst the core cities and is well above the UK average (5.2%).

How Much Will Moving From London to Birmingham Cost?

While it will cost around £572 to £1,634 to move from London to Birmingham, have it in mind that the exact cost will depend on the number of services you combine with your removals. Also, note that the distance from postcode to postcode and the time required to load and unload the moving van will also factor a whole lot in forming the final price of the service.

The removal company you decide to work with will also influence the cost of your relocation especially since prices will vary from one company to another. However, since Birmingham is situated in the heart of the West Midlands, it is very convenient and affordable to move to Birmingham from anywhere in England, including from London.

Note that the removals company you contact will assist with everything about your move from London to Birmingham, such as moving boxes and packing materials delivery, storage, packing service, assistance with shipping arrangements, move-out cleaning, etc.