Statistics can often be misleading, especially when it comes to the London property market. While the capital remains a central hub for international property investors with a healthy amount of disposable income, for example, increasingly rising price points are forcing many traditional buyers out of the marketplace. So although many regions in the capital have reported considerable growth in the last eighteen months, some experts fear as though these figures are disguising the true state of the market.
After all, the great recession of 2008 was triggered by the collapse of the housing market, after a period of prolonged and relentless growth. While this may have altered the course of the property market and created rising demand for quick house sale companies such as Property Rescue, it also proves that real estate investment is never more vulnerable than when the market has reached a peak. This is certainly the case in a region such as London, where there is a fine line between exalted growth and dramatic decline.
Relocating to Birmingham in the UK
With this in mind, those who need to relocate for the purposes of starting a job in London may want to consider living outside of the capital. Birmingham provides a relevant case in point, as it is renowned as the nation’s second city and boasts outstanding public transport links with the capital. It also has a lower cost of living and more affordable property, meaning that you could make the most of your income over a prolonged period of time. With this in mind, consider the following tips when relocating to Birmingham: –
Invest in Simple, Conveniently Located and Affordable Real Estate
In terms of real estate, Birmingham offers a considerably cheaper alternative to London whether you look to buy or rent. This has encouraged many international property investors to identify Birmingham as the new darling of real estate, and enabled the city to soar 14 places up the European rankings. This means that you can source a basic and conveniently placed property in or around the City Centre for an extremely competitive rate, without compromising on quality. In order to maximise your savings further, target lower value areas on the outskirts of the city that are likely to benefit from regeneration programs in the next few years.
Getting Around the City and Commuting to London
Like any major or cosmopolitan city, travelling around Birmingham and the City Centre can be a frustrating experience. The main ring-road around the city is known as Spaghetti Junction, and it is frequently congested and hindered by road and maintenance works. The flow of traffic can be particularly difficult to negate when attempting to drive south, so you would be better served by using public transport to commute to the capital. Birmingham City Centre has three main train stations, all of which offer lines directly into London and average travelling times of one hour and 30 minutes. New Street Station offers the greater frequency of trains into London; however, while a higher volume of operators also stop here on a daily basis.
Easting Drinking and Recreation
If you do choose to live in or around the capital, you will have access to a wide range of cuisines and recreational experiences. The Bullring shopping centre boasts a wide array of eateries and retail outlets, with cuisines such as Asian, Indian and American all featured in the iconic Selfridges Department store. Having evolved from its 1960’s predecessor, the new Bull Ring features the nations’ familiar high street brands and seamlessly merges these with international influences. The recreational appeal of Birmingham appeals outside of this venue, however, with a series of Victorian arcades and markets located in the City Centre. For a higher-end retail experience, consider visiting the range of extensive boutiques and brands such as Harvey Nicholls in the Mailbox. Birmingham is also home to a vibrant club and pub scene, while popular nightspot area Broad Street also house theatre house The Rep and The International Convention Centre (ICC).
In Summary
With these points in mind, it is possible to create a viable and affordable blueprint for relocating to the UK. With a weekday job in London, you can look to source property in the second city of Birmingham and commit to a daily commute to the capital. This will reduce your living costs considerably, while also protecting your from the volatile London property market.
You can also achieve this without compromise, as excellent transportation links mean that you can commute to and from London in a time-efficient manner. There is also a diverse range of restaurants, shops and recreational activities in Birmingham, which allows you to make the most of your leisure time during the evenings and weekends.
