Birmingham is fast becoming a world-class city offering attractive and inspiring lifestyles for residents.
It's no wonder that the city has been cited as the most popular destination for young workers migrating from London in recent years.
And with plenty of plans well under way, including HS2, the Commonwealth Games and Paradise Birmingham the city is set to go from strength to strength.
If you're thinking about renting a house or flat there are so many great locations.
Independent estate agents MECS , established in 2009 and based in Harborne, has some great recommendations.
The company prides itself in being honest and transparent with its customers, and even lists all of its fees clearly on its website , so there are no hidden surprises.
Being an independent business also means that MECS provides personal touches to all its landlords, tenants and buyers.
Here are the top recommendations of great places to live in Birmingham from MECS.
Harborne
Situated just a three-mile drive away from the city centre, Harborne is one of the most desirable places to live in Birmingham.
There's so much to love about this gorgeous suburb that offers a fantastic range of attractive pubs, restaurants and bars to suit all budgets.
The High Street is filled with delightful spots including Harborne Kitchen, Scotts of Harborne, Caffiened, The Plough, as well as popular chain restaurants including Zizzi's and Boston Tea Party.
It's the perfect location for young families, too. There are plenty of parks alongside superb schools offering quality eduaction.
An ideal location for commuters, getting to the city centre is a breeze with both buses and trains running on a regular basis.
There are also links to key roads and locations, with Birmingham Airport a 30-minute drive away and the M5 just 15 minutes away.
Harborne is also popular with students too, as it's situated within close proximity to both QE Hospital and the University of Birmingham.
And when it comes to property, here you'll find everything from delightful town houses and terraces to modern new build apartments.
MECS is even based in Harborne, which means the team has a fantastic range of knowledge on the area and housing costs.
Click here to begin your property search in Harborne with MECS.
Jewellery Quarter
Jewellery Quarter has been working its way up the ladder as one of the coolest places to live in the city centre, and we can see why.
With more than 200 listed buildings, residential work has been key to Jewellery Quarter's rise as a hip place to move to, and has now seen it recognised as more than just somewhere to pick up and expensive watch or engagement ring.
Bursting with culture, the home of British jewellery is the perfect blend of live, work and play.
There's fine dining from Folium and The Wilderness, which was recently awarded three AA Rosettes, as well as stylish watering holes including Rose Villa Tavern, The Button Factory, The Church and relaxed dining at St Paul's House.
Not forgetting the fantastic range of museums, all of which hold a true insight into the history of the area, and often hold a events both during the week and at the weekend. And if live music's your thing, you'll want to head to The Jam House in the picturesque St Paul's Square for some great performances.
A perfect location for students, young professionals and couples, Jewellery Quarter is a strong choice for those who work in the heart of the city, with New Street Station and Bullring just a 15-minute stroll away.
You can also hop on the metro into town for as little as £1 and there are regular train services running from the station.
Properties currently available to rent with MECS include this luxury modern apartment in The Mint.
Although houses are few and far between here, Jewellery Quarter boasts some truly spectacular apartments filled with character.
And with a £2million project set to reinvent multiple derelict buildings in the area, there's never been a better time to locate to this funky district.
You'll discover plenty of one and two bedroom apartments at affordable prices in the JQ that bring a sense of village life to the city centre.
Moseley
With its 'village' feel and a wide variety of residents ranging from young students through to older professionals, Moseley has evolved into a delightful place to live, based on a strong range of schools, dining, house prices and transport links.
Much like Harborne, it's a very attractive and green suburb with Cannon Hill Park just a half an hour's walk away.
The area is well-known for hosting its Folk and Arts Festival each summer.
Great fun for all the family, the festival is spread across three days at Moseley Park and celebrates a wonderful range of folk artists, as well as hosting a range of activities.
Similar to both Harborne and Jewellery Quarter, there are plenty of fantastic places to wine and dine.
Listed in the 2019's Michelin Guide, Carter's of Moseley is just one of the many gems in Moseley's crown.
It's joined on the culinary list by a number of funky independents including Zindiya, Damascena, Sabai Sabai and Bloom.
And if you're looking for a night out, then look no further than The Prince of Wales or The Cuban Embassy.
Home to some truly stunning properties, Moseley holds a great sense of community. It's a rather expensive area to live in, but you'll find everything from seven-bedroom detached homes to one-bed apartments.
With a little help from MECS, you become on step closer to finding your new home. Take a look at their current properties available to rent in Moseley here.
Kings Heath
As next door neighbour to Moseley, Kings Heath has also gained a reputation to become one of the coolest places to live outside of the city center.
It may have spent time living in the shadows of its neighbour, but over the past few years it's blossomed into its own little hotspot, birthing a number of super independent businesses and even counts Brummie comedian Joe Lycett as one of its residents.
The area has become so popular, in fact, that housing prices have shot up over the last couple of years.
And it comes as no real surprise, Kings Heath has a lot going for it. As well as boasting a number of independent shops, bars and restaurants, it also has a Green Flag park and a delightful village square, so it certainly ticks a lot of boxes.
And although it doesn't have its own train station, Small Heath and Hall Green station are both just a short car ride away, providing links direct the city centre.
Whether you're searching for a new build or home with a bit of character, King's Heath's diverse range of properties mean that you will have plenty of options to explore.
Don't delay in starting your property search in the city, contact MECS now to see how they can help you find your perfect home.
