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Birmingham has undergone a huge transformation over the last 10 years as a result of significant growth and investment. Now a prospering and vibrant city, Birmingham is becoming an increasingly appealing place to live, work and invest – offering what is often described as ‘a cosmopolitan lifestyle without the price tag’. But what is it that makes Birmingham so appealing? Here City-REDI’s Charlotte Hoole takes a look…

No.1 UK destination for FDI – creating over 12,000 jobs in last 10 years

The only UK region with a trade surplus to China – £2.76 billion (2014)

UK’s largest share of developable land (57% in Midlands)

90% of UK market within 4 hours travel

UK No.1 for manufacturing technology jobs – makes up 60% of exports (West Midlands)

25% UK’s automotive production, 42% UK’s automotive R&D (West Midlands)

Highest quality of life outside London (Mercer) – no.1 destination to live for people leaving the capital

UK’s most entrepreneurial city outside London – 18,337 new businesses registered in 2014

HS2 – 38 minute journey time to London – £4 billion investment package including new international station

UK’s highest proportion of young people – 32.7% under 24

Named one of top 10 cities to visit in the world (Rough Guide 2014) – visitor economy worth £6bn

Birmingham Airport – fastest transfer times to London after Heathrow – 10,000,000 passengers per year – 8,000,000 spare capacity

Ranked in the top 20 European Cities of the Future (2014/15)