A remarkable property divide has emerged within a single Birmingham ward, where a short drive across the bustling Hagley Road separates a booming property hotspot from a bargain-hunter's paradise.
The Tale of Two Suburbs
Data compiled for 2025 by Online Marketing Surgery and BLG Development Finance reveals two neighbouring areas in the Edgbaston ward topping the city's property charts for opposite reasons. Rotton Park and Five Ways South & Calthorpe Park, located just two miles apart on either side of the A456 Hagley Road, have seen the most dramatic price movements in Birmingham.
In Rotton Park, average property prices plummeted from £350,000 in March 2024 to £241,000 by March 2025, representing a significant 31.1% fall. Conversely, in Five Ways South & Calthorpe Park, prices skyrocketed from £235,000 to £500,000 over the same period – an astonishing 112.3% increase.
Bargain Hunters Flock to Rotton Park
Despite the falling prices, local landlords report that Rotton Park is far from becoming undesirable. In fact, they are witnessing a surge of interest from buyers and renters priced out of more central locations. One 76-year-old landlord described a situation reminiscent of London's property dynamic.
"What we are hearing and seeing as landlords, particularly around the top end by Gillot Road, everybody is buying up there," he said. "People are going to the city centre and can't afford it, so they are going a bit further out. People are just gobbling up properties around here. This particular area is desirable for rent."
Affluent Appeal of Five Ways South & Calthorpe Park
On the other side of Hagley Road, Five Ways South & Calthorpe Park presents a different picture. This suburb, a stone's throw from the city centre, is considered one of Birmingham's most affluent postcodes. Part of its appeal lies in the management of the Calthorpe Estate, which governs aspects like landscaping, shared spaces, and property extensions, ensuring the area retains its picturesque and idyllic character.
Residents on grand streets like Frederick Road highlight the benefits. One long-term resident noted, "It's a very nice place to live, it's within walking distance to the city, the train and the tram. There's beautiful old houses... It's quiet and it's also in a conservation area." She added that the maintenance of large properties on roads like Calthorpe Road and Carpenter Road contributes significantly to the area's enduring charm and value.
The stark contrast underscores the hyper-local nature of the UK property market, where a major road can form the boundary between two dramatically different investment landscapes and lifestyles within the same city ward.
