Every year, we anticipate which bits of the city have (mis)fortune of being namechecked on The Sunday Times’ annual Best Places to Live guide. But even we’re shocked to learn that a Birmingham neighbourhood has been named the best place live in the Midlands to put down roots. But we’re proud too, because Stirchley deserves all the praise!
“This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2024, from Dunkeld to Knutsford, Falmouth to Leeds,” said Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor. “Wherever you are on the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you.”
“These are all places where you can feel grounded as well as upwardly mobile: they have a mature sense of community, lively, supportive high streets and an
eye to the future, whether that is eco-friendly measures, transport and regeneration, or imaginative inclusion of new housing.”
So why was Stirchley chosen?
After appearing on last year’s list alongside Digbeth, Stirchley has gone a step better by being named the Best Place to Live in the Midlands. We’ve talked regularly about our love for the neighbourhood – its incredible restaurants, fiercely independent spirit and all-round good, friendly vibes. It seems someone’s been listening…
The Sunday Times said: “Anyone lucky enough to live in this down-to-earth suburb of Birmingham has some of the city’s best bars, restaurants and cafés – Couch, Eat Vietnam, Caneat – within walking distance of their home, as well as good schools and easy rail connections to the city centre, especially when the new Pineapple Road station opens later this year.
“Community spirit is visible all over Stirchley, from free art clubs in the library to the events at Stirchley Baths, a community centre that hosts cinema nights and a community market. Loaf, the co-operative bakery and cookery school that was one of the first independents to put Stirchley on the map, does a £1 Stirchley loaf, alongside its famous sourdough, so that everyone can afford good local bread.”
Where else was on the Best Place to Live in the Midlands?
Nearby to us, Knowle and Dorridge in Solihull also made the list. “These super suburbs are the place to bag a big house along with school and postcode bragging rights. This semi-rural suburban sanctuary is close enough to Solihull’s retail action but far enough from urban sprawl – and 20 minutes by train from Birmingham city centre – to kid yourself you’re in the middle of the countryside.”
Shropshire Hills were also highlighted for its “enchanting landscape of big hills and bigger skies.” While Buxton in Derbyshire was described as “a cultural powerhouse”. Also on the list were Market Harborough (Leicestershire), and Stamford and Sutton on Sea (Lincolnshire). Fancy moving far away? North Berwick in Scotland was named the overall best place to live in the UK.
The Sunday Times’ judges visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street. To see all 72 locations across the UK head here.