A Birmingham suburb is experiencing a dramatic shift in its property market, with prices falling sharply while attracting a surge of new residents in a trend likened to the capital.
A dramatic price shift in a sought-after area
New data reveals that Rotton Park, located in the North Edgbaston ward, saw the sharpest house price fall anywhere in Birmingham between 2024 and 2025. The average property price plummeted from £350,000 to £241,000, marking a staggering overall drop of 31.1% in just twelve months.
Despite this significant decrease, the area is reportedly witnessing an influx of people eager to capitalise on the new affordability. The suburb, known for its proximity to Summerfield Park and the scenic Edgbaston Reservoir, is becoming a hotspot for buyers and renters priced out of the city centre.
'It's like London': Landlords report a buying frenzy
A 76-year-old local landlord described the situation as mirroring a familiar London pattern. He explained that people are being pushed further out from the core due to rising costs. "What we are hearing and seeing as landlords... everybody is buying up there," he told BirminghamLive. "One thing we have heard, it's like London. People are going to the city centre and can't afford it, so they are going a bit further out."
He emphasised the high demand for rental properties in the area, stating, "People are just gobbling up properties around here. This particular area is desirable for rent."
Mixed views on the suburb's transformation
However, the transformation is not viewed uniformly. Liam Bourke, a 36-year-old delivery man from Yardley, attributed the price drop to the conversion of large period houses into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). He expressed concerns about the visual impact, noting, "Black bags get left outside, sticking out like a sore thumb... I think I would be scared to buy a house here." He was quick to clarify that the area isn't rough, but suggested such issues harm its image.
In contrast, a long-term resident in his 50s on Selwyn Road argued the area has improved significantly over the past two decades. He pointed to rising house prices, aided by extensions, and a reduction in crime. "There used to be prostitution on the corner, that's all gone," he said, also praising the local reservoir and parks. "I have been here 20 years and it's actually better here than 20 years ago."
The story of Rotton Park highlights a complex urban shift, where falling prices create opportunity for some while signalling changing community dynamics for others, all unfolding in a suburb increasingly compared to the capital's own property narrative.
