Just a short 12-minute drive west from Birmingham city centre lies Rotton Park, a suburb drawing growing attention as local housing dynamics echo the challenges seen in London. Despite a dramatic 31.1% drop in average property prices—from £350,000 down to £241,000 between 2024 and 2025—interest in the area is surging as buyers are keen to capitalize on the affordability.
Situated in the North Edgbaston ward, Rotton Park boasts amenities like the scenic Summerfield Park and Edgbaston Reservoir, making it an attractive location for those priced out of the city centre. A local landlord, aged 76, explained that the pattern mirrors London’s housing pressures: “People can’t afford to live in the city centre anymore, so they’re moving further out. Properties here are being snapped up quickly, especially near Gillot Road. This area is highly sought after for renting.”
However, the influx has also brought noticeable changes. Liam Bourke, a 36-year-old delivery man from Yardley, noted that many large homes are being converted into smaller Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Walking the streets, he observed rubbish bags piled outside some properties, which he felt damaged the neighbourhood’s image. “It’s not a rough area and you don’t see trouble, but the litter does bring the image down,” Liam commented.
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Long-term resident on Selwyn Road, a man in his 50s, shared a more optimistic view of the suburb’s evolution. He noted that house prices have risen over recent decades, helped by homeowners extending their properties. “Multiple occupancies on Gillot Road have been around for a while. There’s actually less crime than 20 years ago,” he noted. “Prostitution used to be an issue but that’s gone. We have beautiful green spaces like the reservoir and parks. After living here two decades, I’d say the area has improved.”
Rotton Park’s contrasting perspectives highlight a community adapting to changing housing demands amid affordability challenges, echoing broader urban shifts across England’s major cities.