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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to consider…

16 replies

IchabodCrane · 14/03/2022 13:43

Living in Liverpool and commuting to Manchester/London?
I go to London twice a month, DP works in Manchester (where we currently live).
Looking to buy and we can get so much more for our money in Liverpool.
Is this a crazy idea?

OP posts:
Original poster
IchabodCrane · 14/03/2022 13:45

Also to add I’m aware that trains will be expensive. However hybrid working is the norm for most jobs now… DP is in only 2 days a week

Was thinking more of logistics … If trains are always delayed etc.

OP posts:
McScreamysGhostPants · 14/03/2022 13:49

Do you want to be in Liverpool city itself? If you are looking for bang for your Buck and aren't fussed about being in the city itself then look into commuting from Wigan. Wigan has excellent train links to both Manchester and London and if you look to parbold, aughton, UpHolland etc you can get some beautiful properties.

Teeturtle · 14/03/2022 13:52

I wouldn’t call going to London twice a month “commuting”.

I lived in Liverpool many years ago and lots of people commuted from Manchester, so that is readily doable.

Nanny0gg · 14/03/2022 13:55

When I worked in London and lived in East London I travelled to Manchester and surrounding areas every week. So that's no problem

Lwren · 14/03/2022 14:30

Liverpool lime St has excellent links.

Liverpool has some amazing places, music scene, amazing food, places to go. Chester up the road is gorgeous and the wirral is full of beaches and countryside.
I know Merseyside really quite well and love it, my DH is a scouser.
If you need any advice on areas I'm happy to help, but you can get some amazing properties, just need to work out which area you want to settle in

ManateeFair · 14/03/2022 15:08

Liverpool to Manchester is an OK commute. Liverpool to London is not a journey I’d want to do a) more than about once a month and b) if I wasn’t getting the fare on expenses.

Original poster
IchabodCrane · 14/03/2022 17:05

Thanks all! Couple of points

  • Am attracted by affordability of properties close to the city centre... terrace houses 15 min drive away for 250. You'd struggle to find that in Manchester.
  • Twice a month isn't much of a 'commute', but could increase. At most twice a week. It's not too painful at the moment as I can come in late, so avoid the early morning packed trains.
There doesn't seem to be much difference in Liverpool vs Manc in terms of time. I don't know about train delays however. The Manchester trains have been on time, mostly.
OP posts:
incognitoforthisone · 14/03/2022 18:10

Am attracted by affordability of properties close to the city centre... terrace houses 15 min drive away for 250. You'd struggle to find that in Manchester.

Are you mostly looking in south Manchester? We live in Prestwich (so three miles north of the city centre and excellent tram links, also some nice places to eat and drink, lovely parks etc), and I think you could get something in this area for that money.

You can still get more for your money in Liverpool, though, and regular train journeys from Liverpool to London are no more arduous than Manchester to London would be. I don't think the Liverpool-London services are any less reliable than the Manchester-London ones, although I would definitely check the frequency as I'm not sure how many services there are per hour.

Good luck in your search, whatever you decide! I have a few friends who live in Liverpool and, like Manchester, it's really had an amazing transformation in recent years.

Shiningpath · 14/03/2022 18:14

Does you job allow it? How will it work if you’re called in at short notice?

In my company lots of people relocated. Now they’re really suffering since workloads have stepped up and hours are less predictable. In DH’s office people have been sacked for refusing to come in and for short changing the firm by “working” on the train by having a quick check of emails now and again.

Lwren · 14/03/2022 18:19

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116899949

I'd definitely be looking at something like this, near the tunnel and lots of beach on your doorstep, good schools, decent cities close by.

If you're looking at Liverpool I'd definitely look for South Liverpool, which is more pricey but much nicer to live in.

Original poster
IchabodCrane · 14/03/2022 18:21

@incognitoforthisone

Am attracted by affordability of properties close to the city centre... terrace houses 15 min drive away for 250. You'd struggle to find that in Manchester.

Are you mostly looking in south Manchester? We live in Prestwich (so three miles north of the city centre and excellent tram links, also some nice places to eat and drink, lovely parks etc), and I think you could get something in this area for that money.

You can still get more for your money in Liverpool, though, and regular train journeys from Liverpool to London are no more arduous than Manchester to London would be. I don't think the Liverpool-London services are any less reliable than the Manchester-London ones, although I would definitely check the frequency as I'm not sure how many services there are per hour.

Good luck in your search, whatever you decide! I have a few friends who live in Liverpool and, like Manchester, it's really had an amazing transformation in recent years.

Thanks! Yes, on paper there are properties for that budget... however most of them go above asking. It's been gaining in popularity recently. In Liverpool.. room to go even lower. I've got a couple of friends buying at the moment so firsthand information.

It'll probably come down to what we actually manage to find. Good to have more options though

OP posts:
Original poster
IchabodCrane · 14/03/2022 18:26

@Shiningpath

Does you job allow it? How will it work if you’re called in at short notice?

In my company lots of people relocated. Now they’re really suffering since workloads have stepped up and hours are less predictable. In DH’s office people have been sacked for refusing to come in and for short changing the firm by “working” on the train by having a quick check of emails now and again.

No relocation here. I worked in Manc, was offered London role with same company, and accepted on condition of hybrid working. They were happy with twice a month but as people return to the office I can see it increasing.

I left London years ago and have no desire to return. They know this very well and it was them who really wanted me in the role. If push comes to shove I can always get another job.... but preferably not when I've JUST bought a house.

OP posts:
contentwithahotdrinkandabook · 14/03/2022 19:20

@Lwren that's a brilliant house!!

Original poster
IchabodCrane · 14/03/2022 21:14

@Lwren

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116899949

I'd definitely be looking at something like this, near the tunnel and lots of beach on your doorstep, good schools, decent cities close by.

If you're looking at Liverpool I'd definitely look for South Liverpool, which is more pricey but much nicer to live in.

wow that's a beautiful house!
OP posts:
SummerWhisper · 14/03/2022 21:35

Wallasey is over the water from Liverpool so a Manc commute just a little bit longer and the same for London as you'd have to get to Lime Street. However, the Wirral has lovely properties at great prices near beautiful beaches.

justjuggling · 14/03/2022 22:40

That house is lovely @Lwren. I live in the south east and the difference in value for money housing is really brought into focus when I see properties like that.

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