Harborne
The consistent favourite for professionals and families. A proper high street strong primaries Victorian and Edwardian housing and fifteen minutes into the city. Prices reflect all of that.
Moseley and Kings Heath
Moseley has the village feel the farmers market and the arts crowd. Kings Heath next door is slightly cheaper with an excellent independent high street. Both suit families who want character over new build.
Sutton Coldfield
Green space grammar school access and larger houses. It feels like a separate town rather than part of the city and the commute is longer but Sutton Park is on your doorstep.
Edgbaston
Large period properties leafy streets the cricket ground and the university. Established and expensive with some of the best housing stock in the city.
Jewellery Quarter and city centre
Apartment living walkable to everything and the strongest independent food and drink scene. Best for people without children who want to be in the middle of it.
Value options
Stirchley Bournville Selly Park and Erdington all offer more space for the money and are improving steadily. Bournville in particular has the green space and the schools without the Harborne price.
In short
Harborne and Moseley for balance Sutton Coldfield for space Edgbaston for period homes and Stirchley or Bournville for value.