Birmingham, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
#622
,
Nomad Score:
61%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK, located in the West Midlands region. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.1 million residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 78 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | GBP (£), with no restrictions on currency exchange. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common options include HSBC, Barclays, and Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate agents like Rightmove. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely across the city. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and serviced apartments like Staycity. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Selina and Hatters. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | City Centre, near attractions like the Bullring and Birmingham Museum. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Jewellery Quarter, known for co-working spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Impact Hub Birmingham, offering a vibrant community and networking events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee House, known for its work-friendly atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular Meetups and tech events at places like Innovation Birmingham. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Birmingham Expat Meetup Group on Facebook for community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is the most popular choice for ride-hailing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Birmingham BikeShare and Lime e-scooters available for rent. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is approximately 2 hours away at Weston-super-Mare. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Flybe operates regional flights from Birmingham Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | British Airways and Ryanair serve numerous international destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | M6, M42, and M5 highways provide major road connections. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Birmingham New Street Station serves as the primary transit center. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | West Midlands Day Saver and Monthly passes available for local travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services connect easily to cities like Coventry, Wolverhampton, and London. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, known for its comprehensive services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaBirmingham and The Yoga Lounge for yoga classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Popular choices include PureGym and Fitness First. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats such as The Coin Laundry and local dry cleaners available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Just Eat are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Balti curry originated from Birmingham, a must-try for visitors. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Plant Cafe and The Warehouse Cafe offer great meat-free choices. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Thorntons for chocolates and The Pudding Pantry for dessert lovers. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Birmingham Bullring Market has great budget food options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon UK and local online retailers like Argos. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Tesco and Sainsbury's offer convenient delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Broad Street is famous for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | BrewDog Birmingham and Dig Brew Co. offer brewery tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Opus Restaurant and Vinoteca serve an excellent selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Digbeth Dining Club features a variety of street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Curry, Italian, and Mediterranean restaurants are plentiful. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Birmingham Cathedral, Aston Hall, and the Bullring. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery showcases local history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute highlights the city's history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Philip's Cathedral and the mosque at Green Lane are notable. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Birmingham International Jazz Festival takes place in July. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Jewellery Quarter for its historic significance and creative industries. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Birmingham Hippodrome is the largest theatre and frequently hosts touring productions. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Birmingham German Market is popular, especially in winter. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | O2 Academy and the Rainbow Venues host a lively music scene. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Digbeth is famous for its vibrant street art scene. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Cooking School at The Lyttelton offers various culinary classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Custard Factory features independent art galleries. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The former Birmingham Municipal Bank is a significant architectural site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The 'Birmingham Assay Office' represents the city's heritage in metalworking. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cannon Hill Park features extensive greenery and recreational activities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Peak District National Park is about 45 minutes away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Grand Union Canal offers scenic routes for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Birmingham Wheel provides great views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Sutton Park is a great spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Cannon Hill Park has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Royal Mail and DPD for shipping and delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | PC World and Repair Tech for device repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ping Pong Club Birmingham offers a fun environment for table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Birmingham School of Languages offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Birmingham Central Library has study areas and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Birmingham Community Centre hosts various events and classes. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming venues like Game On offer gaming experiences. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Hippodrome Casino provides gambling and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £4,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = £120,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £3,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = £90,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £4,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = £225,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £3,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = £160,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £4,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = £280,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,500 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = £175,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 19% currently, with plans to reduce to 17%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% for UK residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | UK operates a progressive tax system based on income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The highest rate is currently 45% for high earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are regulations applicable to CFCs. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on property value; varies by locality. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty varies based on property price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No specific incentives for digital nomads but residency advantages apply. |