Looking to escape city life but stay close enough for an easy Birmingham commute?
The West Midlands is packed with great options.
Top commuter towns offer excellent transport links, great schools, and thriving local centres.
For something quieter, villages combine countryside charm with easy rail or road access.
Further afield, there’s a balance of space, community and convenience.
Whether you want smart suburbia or a rural retreat, these 15 spots make it simple to live well and work in Birmingham.
Here’s are the top 15 towns and villages that are perfect for commuters:
1. Balsall Common
Specifically called out as a “top place to live” in the West Midlands for 2025; described as a rural-village with commuter links. Offers a blend of village lifestyle and accessibility to Birmingham by train. Commute time: 27 minute drive. Train: 24 minutes Photo: Bromwich Hardy
2. Hagley in Stourbridge
Hagley village in Stourbridge is on the edge of Birmingham but is a beautiful place to live in. It has the Grade I listed 18th-century house - Hagley Hall, the home of the Lyttelton family. The iconic home is open to the public for tours and teas, and has a lush park great for spending summers in. Listed among the “trendiest commuter villages” for Birmingham, thanks to its village atmosphere and proximity to the city. Considerations: As with many desirable villages, property prices may be higher; commuting time might be modestly longer depending on train/road links. Commute time: 26 minute drive, train 35 minutes. | Wikimedia Commons
3. Tanworth-in-Arden
Tanworth-in-Arden is an idyllic village is surrounded by beautiful Warwickshire countryside. A picturesque village surrounded by countryside yet within reach of Birmingham for commuting purposes. Excellent for someone wanting village charm and manageable commute. Considerations: The amenities will be fewer than in larger towns; you may need to travel for some shopping or entertainment. Commute: 34 minute drive, train journey - 1 hour. | JThomas Photo: JThomas
4. Lapworth
Lapworth is primarily a commuter village, with many residents working in nearby towns and cities such as Birmingham. Despite its proximity to urban areas, the village retains a rural charm. In addition to the National Trust properties of Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House, Lapworth boasts several historic sites and amenities. "They are worth visiting in one day, especially if you can make the four-mile walk between estates, partly following the canal towpath." Commuter time: Drive - 29 minutes. Train: 65 minutes. | Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House