Spotlight on Regions - the Midlands

As part of our VIP Concierge Relocation and Resettlement Service, we present our Spotlight on Regions series - a deep dive into the key factors that could help your decision making process when considering which region of the UK to live in.

First up, we are exploring the benefits of living in the Midlands - located, as you’d expect, in the middle of England and encompassing towns and cities including Nottingham, Birmingham, Derby, Leicester and Lincoln as well as many smaller towns and villages - many situated within picturesque surroundings.

#10 - Cost of Living

The midlands generally is an affordable place to live, offering a cost effective lifestyle compared to other UK regions. Property prices in the Midlands are generally more reasonable than in larger cities such as London, with average house price around £270,000 (compared with London’s average price of £700,000 and a UK average of £292,000). If you want to rent a home in Birmingham, you can expect to pay £684 per month, on average – a little lower than the national average of £700 per month.

Public transport in the region is convenient and budget-friendly. Basic utilities like electricity and water are priced in line with UK average, as are groceries. Childcare in the region is more reasonable than the south of England, with full time day care costing around £800 per month, compared to around £1,300 per month in London.

Overall, an IMG moving to the Midlands will be able to afford a good standard of living based on prices in the area and find a good balance between cost and quality of life.

#9 - Historical & Cultural Landmarks

If history and culture is an interest to you - the Midlands has a wide variety of landmarks and attractions to visit in your down-time.

For beautiful architecture and historical buildings you can visit the gorgeous cathedrals in Worcester, Coventry or Lincoln, visit the Tudor mansion of Chatsworth House, or even spend a day at Lincoln or Warwick castles.

The Ironbridge Gorge, located just outside of Telford, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known as the symbol of the Industrial Revolution. Here, there’s picturesque scenery, the world’s first cast iron bridge and a number of industrial heritage museums to visit.

For sports fans, a behind-the-scenes tour of Aston Villa’s stadium or a trip to the Edgbaston cricket ground might pique your interest.

#8 - Fresh Air & Countryside

If you’d rather explore more of the great outdoors, then you’ll find the Peak District National Park, the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty all in close proximity to the main towns and cities of the Midlands.

Brandon Marsh in Covertry is a great place for wildlife spotting, where over 220 species of bird have been recorded. West Park is a Victorian-era park in Wolverhampton - with a lake to walk around, tennis courts, landscaped gardens and plenty of picnic spots.

The Midlands countryside is crisscrossed with numerous walking trails, including parts of the Pennine Way and the Offa's Dyke Path. The varied terrain offers options for both casual strolls and challenging hikes. Visit Clent Hills for stunning countryside and a variety of walking trails.

#7 - Family Friendly Attractions

Keeling the family entertained in the Midlands is easy! From museums and theme parks to zoos and chocolate factories - the kids will never get bored.

Bourneville in Birmingham is also home to the world’s most famous chocolate attraction: Cadbury World. Here, you can learn about the history of chocolate and discover how the factory produces 100,000 tonnes of liquid chocolate each year!

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is home to tropical, sub tropical, Mediterranean and arid plants, as well as lots of outdoor space to enjoy.

West Midlands Safari Park has a four-mile drive-through safari trail with free roaming giraffe, zebra, elephants and tigers plus an indoor Discover Trail with penguins, reptiles and bats. Dudley Zoo has over 1,300 different animals including endangered species include Asiatic lions, Sumatran tigers and Bornean orangutans linked to international conservation and breeding programmes.

Drayton Manor is a theme park, suited to young and old. The little ones will love Thomas Land, which has 20 different attractions from rollercoasters to engine tours featuring the characters from the much loved children’s series, Thomas the Tank Engine. Older kids will be thrilled with the wide range of rollercoasters on offer.

#6 - Transport Links

One feature of the Midlands is the great transport links. The main towns and cities are all home to well-connected train stations, with services to other parts of the Midlands and much further afield, with travel times to London under two hours.

The towns and cities of the Midlands are undoubtedly some of the best-served in the UK when it comes to the road network. Encircled with motorways, the M6 heads north and east, the M54 west, and the M5, M40 and M1 south - connecting residents to the rest of the UK mainland.

It’s also easy to travel internationally if you live in the Midlands. East Midlands Airport, located around half an hour from Nottingham, flies mainly to European destinations and Birmingham Airport, located just over an hour from Nottingham and half an hour from Birmingham centre, flies to many long haul destinations.

#5 - Health and Wellness

Getting active in the region will never be a problem.

Birmingham is renowned across the world as a venue for competitive sport. The city has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK, including Arena Birmingham, Alexander Stadium, Villa Park, Resorts World Arena and Edgbaston Stadium. Birmingham also has a wide range of great sports clubs and venues for those of you keen to compete or even just keep fit.

Nottingham is home to the National Ice Centre and the National Watersports Centre - offering some of the more unique sporting activities of ice skating, water skiing and white water rafting.

If relaxation is more of an interest - Nottinghamshire has some of the best Spas in the UK, surrounded by the stunning scenery of Sherwood Forest and beyond.

#4 - Arts & Entertainment

You’ll discover many museums and galleries in the lively city of Birmingham, including the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Soho House Museum.

Birmingham Hippodrome is home to the best musicals, ballet & dance, opera, comedy, pantomime and family shows. The Symphony Hall also offers a wide range of performances from classical, rock and pop artists to award-winning comedians. The Utilita arena hosts the hottest gigs, funniest stand-ups, most immersive events and greatest live performances right in the centre of Birmingham.

Nottingham has received UNESCO City of Literature status and is home to the Royal Concert Hall and Theatre Royal, the Nottingham Playhouse and the Nottingham Contemporary, one of the largest arts centres in the UK. In the summer, Nottingham Castle hosts outdoor performances and plays.

#3 - Food & Drink

If you are looking for a memorable dining experience, the Midlands is the place to be! Restaurants in Birmingham, Nottingham and the surrounding areas serve cuisines from across the globe and have plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans and many restaurants serving Halal food. If fine dining is your thing, Birmingham and the surrounding areas have nine Michelin starred restaurants!

Across Nottinghamshire there are plenty of iconic foods to try, eat and take home. From luxurious ice-cream from a local dairy farm, to mouth watering Stilton cheese, every type of home grown produce is within easy reach and Nottingham’s ‘curry quarter’ is a hugely popular area. Nottinghamshire’s culinary trails showcase the best of the region’s food and drink offerings.

#2 - Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity

The Midlands is well known for its rich cultural diversity and efforts towards inclusion. According to recent figures, outside of London, the West and East Midlands come in 1st and 2nd in the list of culturally diverse regions of the UK.

Diversity in the Midlands stems from a history of migration and economic development, particularly during and after the Industrial Revolution, when the area became a hub for manufacturing and attracted people from various parts of the UK and abroad.

The Midlands is home to significant populations of South Asian, Afro-Caribbean, Eastern European, and Irish communities, plus many other ethic groups. The region reflects a variety of religious practices with numerous churches, mosques, gurdwaras, temples, and synagogues. Many languages are spoken in the Midlands due to its diverse population, including Punjabi, Urdu, Polish, Gujarati, and Somali, alongside English.

#1 - Quality of Life

The Midlands has so much to offer it’s residents - from scenic countryside, bustling cities and quaint villages to the many historical and cultural attractions, arts and entertainment venues and highly rates food and drink outlets.

But don’t just take it from us! The Midlands rank highly in best neighbourhood and best city league tables, with Birmingham recently being listed in the 2024 World’s Best Cities Report and Nottingham topping the tables for best place to Live and Work in the UK due to value of housing, pace of life, easy commutes – and high levels of happiness among its residents.

Overall, the Midlands region is a brilliant place for an IMG to settle - offering a balanced quality of life with economic opportunities, affordable living, good educational and healthcare facilities and a rich cultural scene. So whether you are considering moving to the UK alone or with family, the Midlands should certainly be a region to consider.

Our VIP Concierge Relocation and Resettlement Service is free to all Indigo doctors - contact us for further information on how we can assist you: