In one area of Birmingham, the differences in daily lifestyles could barely be more stark. One of the poorest parts of the city is separated only by a few streets from one of the wealthiest. These residents may sometimes pass each other in the street, but there aren't many similarities in how they live their lives.
Two Sides of the Same City
On one side, families may live in luxury homes, have multiple expensive cars on gated driveways, and be planning their latest holiday. On the other, a holiday or even just a night out may be a distant dream as residents battle to put food on the table from one week to the next. Of course, individual situations aren't the same for everyone, but this picture is more typical in these areas.
Erdington: Youth Jobless Capital
The Parliamentary constituency of Erdington is made up of areas such as Castle Vale and Stockland Green as well as Erdington itself. It is classed as England's youth jobless capital, where more young adults are out of work than anywhere else in the country. This means it is one of the poorest places anywhere in England, with young people facing becoming a lost generation. One in six young people (16%) aged between 16 and 24 are unemployed here. Unemployment and general disillusionment may also make youngsters more susceptible to being drawn into a life of crime.
Sutton Coldfield: A Wealthy Neighbour
Just a short distance away is leafy Sutton Coldfield, one of the poshest parts of the city. Many of the wealthiest families in the city live here. The average house price in Sutton is around £410,000, well above the national average of £300,000. Some of the best schools in the region are also located here. It shows how the standard of living can be vastly different for households only a few streets apart.
