Here are 19 West Midlands cities and market towns that give you space to breathe without the crush of a capital crowd. They are all considered among the happiest places to live and visit in the region.
The region mixes industry, culture, and countryside charm with an easy pace that makes short breaks feel refreshing.
You get historic streets, canals, grand civic buildings, and green pockets that invite slow wandering. Markets feel local rather than hectic. Independent shops and family run cafes still set the tone. You can settle into a bench by the water, explore a museum at your own speed, or stroll a high street without weaving through a swarm of people.
Pick a cathedral city with calm cloisters, a medieval market town with timber framed houses, or a former industrial hub now filled with creative studios.
Each offers personality without pressure. Each feels friendly, walkable, and grounded. If you want culture, history, and character with room to think, the West Midlands delivers.
Here are 19 towns and cities in the West Midlands to visit instead of London:
17. Birmingham
Birmingham is considered a happy place to live due to its vibrant culture, diverse community, and abundance of green spaces and amenities, all while offering a lower cost of living compared to London. | Creative commons
18. Walsall
Walsall is considered a happy place due to its strong sense of community, affordable living, abundant green spaces like Walsall Arboretum, rich cultural heritage (especially leatherwork), ongoing regeneration projects, diverse population, good transport links to Birmingham, and a mix of local charm with urban amenities, making it a balanced, affordable, and connected place to live. | AdobeStock_385772824.jpeg