19 replies to this topic

[jimsayshi]

If you where moving to a job in the centre of Birmingham and wanted to live to the east of the city, Nuneaton way, but not as far as Leicester. Leamington Spa is going to be a little too far South, me thinks. Although could creep up a little north, say Tamworth area, etc. Where would you recommend? Not looking for millionaires row, but not a dump either, obviously. And what's the M6 like in rush hour from around there, as bad as legend has it? Or the M42 from Tamworth direction?

[Steve J]

M6 and m42 are horrid. Why east brum why not west or south like solihull?

[Martin R]

Shirley and Solihull are nice. You can also get a train to Birmingham. Going south on the M42 from Tamworth is not as bad as going the other way. The M42 has improved considerably now they are using the hard shoulder in rush hour times.

Knowle is also nice if a bit pricey.

[andywolf]

coleshill has a nice feel to the small town, which is towards Tamworth

[jimsayshi]

Steve J, on 17 September 2012 - 05:34 PM, said:

M6 and m42 are horrid. Why east brum why not west or south like solihull?

Martin R, on 17 September 2012 - 05:43 PM, said:

Shirley and Solihull are nice. You can also get a train to Birmingham. Going south on the M42 from Tamworth is not as bad as going the other way. The M42 has improved considerably now they are using the hard shoulder in rush hour times.

Knowle is also nice if a bit pricey.

I need to be able to make a trip back to Lincoln now and then, the odd weekend. So was looking to keep that particular journey time down to around 1 1/2 hours. Hence living half hour out of Birmingham heading East or North/East. I guess Solihull might be worth considering, as it's close to the M42 and on the right side of Birmingham.

[stockhome]

I live in Sutton Coldfield which is 10 mins from  junction 9 of the m42. 5 mins from a38 which I use if going north as the m1 is poo.

Great train links into the city centre free parking at stations and takes about 30 minutes. And it's about 12 miles from the city if you want to drive.

Its a pretty good area even if I say so myself

[lummo]

What Sheldon said.

Trains are about every 10 minutes, straight into New Street Station, so commuting into the city centre is easy. Certainly preferable to the Aston Distressway in rush-hour IMO (although out of rush-hour it doesn't take long to drive to the city centre).

I go over to Newark fairly often, takes me about 1½ hours so Lincoln would be less than 2.

[edited to correct lousy spelling]

Edited by lummo, 18 September 2012 - 03:24 PM.

[Stumason10]

Litchfield is nice too.

I've lived in Solihull and Leam Spa and Coleshill. Preference would be Leam Spa, then Solihull then Coleshill.

Currently in Derby, which is ok for Lincs outings. 40 mins in car to Brum though.

[lummo]

Stumason10, on 18 September 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:

Litchfield is nice too.

I've lived in Solihull and Leam Spa and Coleshill. Preference would be Leam Spa, then Solihull then Coleshill.

Currently in Derby, which is ok for Lincs outings. 40 mins in car to Brum though.

I agree, Lichfield is nice. Also on the same railway line as Sutton Coldfield, so most of the above still applies.

[jimsayshi]

Stumason10, on 18 September 2012 - 02:27 PM, said:

Litchfield is nice too.

I've lived in Solihull and Leam Spa and Coleshill. Preference would be Leam Spa, then Solihull then Coleshill.

Where would you put Litchfield in that list Stu?

[stockhome]

Yes i have always liked Lichfield too

[Stumason10]

erm,

close run but,

I love Leam Spa

So
1) Leam Spa
2) Litchfield
3) Solihull
4) Coleshill

Close between Litch and Solihull, as Solihull bigger, but, Litch has a nice feel with the Cathedral.

I feel a run coming on......Lol!

[surrealillusions]

Used to commute into Shirley (J4 M42) from Lichfield, and that was 5-6 years ago, and it was fairly congested along the A446/M42. I imagine it's just as worse, if not more, nowadays. Alot of speed cameras along the route too, particularly the A38 and M42. Took about 45-50mins on an average weekday morning.

I'd avoid that route if you have to.

Coleshill might be your best bet for travelling. You could potentially avoid the motorways into Birmingham.

[lummo]

jimsayshi, on 18 September 2012 - 03:43 PM, said:

Where would you put Litchfield in that list Stu?

I wouldn't ask Stuart that - he can't even spell 'Lichfield', let alone recommend it!

[stockhome]

surrealillusions, on 18 September 2012 - 08:25 PM, said:

Used to commute into Shirley (J4 M42) from Lichfield, and that was 5-6 years ago, and it was fairly congested along the A446/M42. I imagine it's just as worse, if not more, nowadays. Alot of speed cameras along the route too, particularly the A38 and M42. Took about 45-50mins on an average weekday morning.

I'd avoid that route if you have to.

Coleshill might be your best bet for travelling. You could potentially avoid the motorways into Birmingham.

My wife works in Solihull and travels on the M42 everyday. They use all four lanes including the hard should at peak times and apparently its much better now. Still not brilliant though