Where to/where to avoid living in Birmingham.

I (M27) recently accepted a job in Birmingham and will be moving there early February. Everyone seems to say move South, however it’s not as affordable as some of the other suburbs. How are things to the North, East and West? Is South Bham worth the increased housing market? The office for my job is downtown and would like to have a ~30 minute commute at most if possible. Thanks in advance