With an estimated population of 1,111,307 by last year, Birmingham is the most ethnically diverse city in Britain. This city is full of culture, welcoming businesses, and green spaces. Are you planning moving to Birmingham? Well, you should know a few things before you take the plunge. Here are 5 costs to know about living in Birmingham.
Image credit: Pixabay.com
Food and restaurant costs
Birmingham residents lover their food and there’s a diverse selection to choose from. This is backed by the various nationalities in the city. Imported food costs a bit more especially in the restaurant. There’s a wide selection of supermarket and stores affordable for everyone. You can shop online on M&S, Ocado, and Waitrose. Budget friendly stores include Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury. For cheap eat out options, The Guardian and Timeout have some wonderful options including Mexican fusion and traditional Indian curries.
Transport costs
This city has excellent transport systems including trains, buses, and the Midland Metro. Online timetables are available to guide you plan your journey through Network West Midlands with a chance to buy tickets online. This is located in the heart of the country and in the middle of the UK’s rail and road network. You can save tremendously on public transport by using a Swift Pay As You Go ticket or a Network Daytripper. Alternatively, invest in a bike because Birmingham has good cycle lanes everywhere. This is good for exercise as well.
Housing costs
The cost of houses, flats, and apartments in Birmingham are reasonably affordable compared to other cities. However, it’s important to understand that the prices vary by area. Apart from having many larger Victorian homes for shared accommodation, apartments are available as well. You can just visit a reputable property listing to check out available apartments for sale in Birmingham. It’s easy to find an apartment that suits your needs and budget.
Owning a car
In the UK including Birmingham, everyone drives on the left. Driving in this city is easy but you have to prepare a budget for parking. Ensure to keep your license when from to Birmingham from within the UK but to update your address to the new one. When moving to this city from another location like Dubai, ensure to exchange your foreign license to a local one.
Taxes
Everyone pays the same tax rate regardless of location in the UK. The forms of taxes include:
- Income tax
- Capital gains tax
- Self-employment tax
- Business tax
A value added tax (VAT) of 20 percent is added to most goods and services in the UK although it’s included in the market price. Whether you buy an apartment or a house, you’re required to a council tax determined by the area and size of your property. Buying a house or flat in Birmingham comes with a stamp duty. Luckily, there’s no tax on the first £125,000 value of your property.
Final thought
Birmingham is a wonderful city to live in. This metropolitan city is suitable to a variety of lifestyles. For a chance to own property in this city, a reliable property listings is your next stop. Here you’ll find a range of options including apartments for sale to suit your requirements and budget.
November 22, 2018
US Property
Indian Property
UK Property
