We look at areas in Birmingham that are popular with relocating young professionals.

Harborne

A recent survey undertaken by property specialist Knight Frank, found Harborne to be the best place to live if you are a young professional.  Boasting picturesque nineteenth century housing, the area of Harborne is known for its safety and its friendly community. Harborne High Street is bustling with independent shops and cafes, as well as numerous bars, pubs and restaurants, all of which make for comfortable and sociable living for young professionals. Top picks include The Plough pub, which is bustling every evening of the week, and Buonissimo’s Italian restaurant.

The terms modern interior design and contemporary interior design are often confused but in fact refer to two entirely different things.

Contemporary Interior design means  looks that are ‘of the moment’ current or  fashionable right now, whereas ‘Modern’ interior design is a specific style of interiors utilizing clean lines textures, space, form and function. Mid Century Modern  a (period from approximately the late 1920’s to the 1970’s) is very trendy right now making it Contemporary…

Confused?

Modernism, in essence was a rejection of the traditional, embracing new advances in materials

Modernism in the home sprung to life as soon as manufacturing techniques enabled the use of new materials in the making of  household objects.  Plastics, resins, alloys, laminate the dazzling assortment of new processes unleashed, on a frankly stunned world, icons such as Earo Sarins Tulip

America led the way in not only the materials but the designer’s quick to use such innovative materials and MCM (Mid Century Modern) was born.

As with every period in history, the MCM movement has left us with icons every bit as identifiable as say from the 1700s, which gave us Thomas Chippendale Cabinetry, and Josiah Wedgewood China and Robert Adams Fireplaces.  So here we have Eames  Chairs, Noguchi coffee tables a Le Corbusier  sofa just throw in a Florence Knoll Sofa or two and bingo, you are instantly achingly cool right ?

Wrong.

There’s no doubt about it: despite all the unfortunate animals who are handed in to refuges because the kids (who were probably far too young to look after them anyway) got tired of them, or the owners changed their carpet and their pet no longer went with it, many of us regard our pets as members of the family. We spend vast amounts of money on them, and refuse to be parted from them unless it’s absolutely necessary.

My neighbours, for example, took their rabbit with them when they relocated to Dubai. He arrived somewhat hot and bothered, but was soon enjoying free ranging in their apartment (despite the fact that his claws were apt to skid on the marble floors).

When the neighbours returned, so did the rabbit – although he had to spend six months in quarantine, necessitating regular visits from his devoted owners, who live 50 miles away from where bunny was boarding – and he now rules the roost (if that’s the right phrase) once more, with a lovely lady rabbit to keep him company.

So I was interested to see that changes to the UK's Pet Travel Scheme are set to make it easier for relocatees to take their pets overseas – and bring them home again. Read the full article here.

Judging by the number of companies that specialise in moving pets, there must be lots of people who would be deterred from making a relocation move by the thought of leaving their furry friend behind, so removing barriers to taking pets abroad will, perhaps, make relocating overseas that little bit less of a wrench.

What’s been your experience of moving with pets? Share your thoughts with others by leaving a comment.

My colleagues will be impressed to see that I’ve managed not to mention guinea pigs once …

Louise Whitson – Guest Blogger

One of Britain’s greatest assets is ‘le shopping’, as the French call it. And it isn’t just for adults. If you’re looking for clothes for the children, you have an amazing choice, whatever your budget.

At the top end, most of the designer stores have childrens’ ranges, including Burberry, Diesel, Polo and Armani. Keep an eye out wherever you live for tiny boutique shops that have selections of designer clothes, too.

In London and the big cities, mid-range clothing can be found in Selfridges, House of Fraser or John Lewis. Selfridges stocks Jaspar Conran for kids, which is inspired.

John Lewis is incredibly handy – it’s one of those shops that Brits really miss when they live abroad, as it has everything under one roof, from clothing to household and electrical goods. It also competes with Clarks’ shoe shops as one of the best places to buy kids shoes, and includes a fitting service.

Marks & Spencer has been famous as the place to buy underwear and socks. These days, it has stepped up hugely on the clothing front, with some innovative ranges for adults and children. It competes with BHS, which has also improved its clothing with comparable, reasonable items.