Property/DIY
Moving To Liverpool? Advice Needed!
MovingOn78 · 04/01/2017 11:17
Hello,
Having a bit of a dilemma and wondered if anyone could offer any help? I am considering a move to Liverpool for a new job, but really struggling to know where to live if I accept it. I could do with some help making a list of areas to check out when I come up for a weekend scouting. Job is in the city centre so able to live in any area that's commutable.
At the moment I am thinking about: Allerton, Mossley Hill, Aigburth, also Sefton Park area has been mentioned as a possible. Also looking at the North of the city - Southport, Formby etc are supposed to be nice.
Lots of people say North and South of the city are totally different but confuzzled as to the difference... Really looking for somewhere with nice facilities on the doorstep - cafes, parks - but not fussed about nightlife. Budget is ok as moving from S/East and will consider any type of housing. Any thoughts on these areas? Am I looking in the right/best places? Thanks in advance x 100 if you can offer advice!
emsyj37 · 04/01/2017 11:38
Wirral!!!! Great schools, the beach, nice restaurants. We live in Meols but West Kirby and Heswall are lovely too. I commute on the train, it's 20 mins from Meols to James St for the city centre. Lots of my work colleagues live on the Wirral, it's a very popular option for commuting to Liverpool.
smellyboot · 04/01/2017 11:51
South is generally more affluent than north. With that comes the things associaited with wealthier areas and more middle class populations. Are schools and things for kids to do a consideration? Any other considerations? Traffic from Southport etc can be hideous
emsyj37 · 04/01/2017 12:29
I think you do need to give some more info about you and your situation - Allerton is popular with young professionals, same with Sefton Park area - lots of bars and restaurants, easy commute to the city centre etc. Lots of flats. Mossley Hill is more family friendly. Southport and Formby are both nice - Formby is lovely, but they are both further out and the commute would be longer. As PP said, the traffic from Liverpool to Southport is horrendous at the best of times, but there is a train line - the Southport trains go to Moorfields and Central.
Schools in Liverpool would be a concern if you have children. Wirral has grammar schools and there are lots of great primaries. The schools in Liverpool are much more varied and many of the better ones are private or faith schools. With a family, I would choose Wirral.
MovingOn78 · 04/01/2017 13:49
Thank you both so much - that's amazingly kind of you. I hadn't considered (or even heard much about ) Wirral at all but it sounds lovely! The prospect of living near the beach is a really attractive one. Probably happy with a commute of up to 45 mins - currently an hour each way - not sure if that rules much out.
Schools and entertaining children not yet an issue - no family in tow, as yet so more a future consideration than an immediate - and DH works from home. That said, good advice to look long term at school availability as will definitely have to consider it for the future - a quick bit of research says Wirral wins hands-down for schools.
In terms of area, I'm not 100% sold on big new build having grown up in Milton Keynes, so in an ideal world an area with a bit of history/character. Currently in quite shabby but safe bit of London and would like to find a similar area with similar offering. Decent coffee places, chance for walking (I love parks, outdoors and greenery), and love to cook too so somewhere with decent choice of food shops beyond the normal Lidl etc. I might be describing everywhere in Liverpool - hope that I'm describing Wirall!
Thank you again - amazingly kind - now v.excited to come up and look round - VMT.
Findmuck · 04/01/2017 14:01
Another vote for Allerton and Mossley Hill. I bought my first house, it was a terrace off Allerton Road and I have very happy memories. There are shops and bars nearby and also Calderstones and Sefton Park which are very children friendly. Within half an hour drive away you are in the heart Cheshire countryside where there are an abundance of walks and beautiful pubs. Try the Ring o Bells Daresbury and the Stretton Fox in Stretton, there's also the Antrobus Arms and the Bergamot and Spinner all nearby.
There's also a book you can buy " Walks in Cheshire ".
The Wirral is beautiful. I like West Kirby. There's the beach and lots of restaurants and bars. It's more expensive and maybe further to travel.
With either option you can't go wrong.
MovingOn78 · 04/01/2017 18:04
Hello all - thanks so much for all the help - I've got plenty to go on from here - very kind indeed x
Mrswinkler · 04/01/2017 18:18
I wouldn't go for the Wirral in your position. Bit suburban and family orientated and feels a bit of a hoof back home after a night out in town (although it's not that far in reality).
If you are happy with interesting and shabby try Lark Lane area of Sefton Park. Mossley Hill area good for parks and good shopping on Allerton Road (recommend the Oddbins😉). Or if you fancy bit more city centre the Georgian Quarter to the north of the city is lovely.
Findmuck · 04/01/2017 18:22
Oh yes Lark Lane is great! Good suggestion Mrswinkler
If you go for a look round make sure you go to Keith's Wine bar for lunch, my dad was a lecturer at Liverpool University and Keith was one of his students who opened bar many years ago.
EatSpamAmandaLamb · 04/01/2017 18:28
I'd go for either Crosby, Mossley Hill or the Aigburth/Lark Lane side of Sefton Park.
Or in town between the two cathedrals and up as far as the women's hospital is very nice.
southwest1 · 04/01/2017 20:17
I moved from London to Waterloo in June and love it here. It's 16 minutes into Central on the train, I'm a 10/15 minute walk to the beach, where the Anthony Gormley statues are. There's a Tesco express a few roads up, a fantastic coffee shop at the end of the road, the local shopping road has a butchers, diy shop, amazing cake shop, a shop that sells bread and macarons, a wool shop, antique shops, nail places, hairdressers, gift shops! South Road, where the station is, has loads of restaurants on.
And it's £10 in a cab from the city centre, which still amazes me after a black cab in London used to cost me £40-50.
There's a 5 bed end of terrace on my road that's full of period features for sale for £210k at the moment. You wouldn't get a 2 bed in the less than nice area I lived in back in London for less than £325k!
MovingOn78 · 05/01/2017 18:49
Just a quick thank you to everyone for all your ideas - really kind - thanks again.
another20 · 05/01/2017 19:13
Rent somewhere for 6 months first before you commit to buying.....
Mrskeats · 05/01/2017 19:19
Be careful if you choose the Wirral and its soon as the trains are being stopped for 6 months so the tunnel will be a nightmare.
In your position I would choose some of the areas already mentioned; I love Sefton Park area and we are planning on moving there in a few years. I agree that the Wirral is nice but a bit suburban.
Lark Lane is ace.
HalleLouja · 05/01/2017 19:30
I used to live in Chester and commuted to Liverpool. I can't remember how long it took but Chester is fabulous and loved living there. I would so live there again.
ijustwannadance · 05/01/2017 20:33
I agree with a pp in that you should maybe rent somewhere for 6 months to get a feel for the surrounding areas.
You could get a 2 bed flat near the city centre within walking distance to work so even if it cost slightly more it would be offset by no commuting costs.
Both Liverpool and Wirral have some great areas. School wise it would be Wirral hands down, but with no kids and social life i'd go for Liverpool.
I lived in New Brighton for a while. Right by the Beach and 20 mins by train direct to city centre for work.
hellsbells99 · 05/01/2017 21:27
Mrskeats - aren't the trains stopped for 6 weeks and not 6 months?
southwest1 · 05/01/2017 21:31
The loop is closed for six months, so the Wirral line won't be coming across the river again until June. Different bits are closed over the river at different times as well.
ozboomoo · 05/01/2017 21:55
We've done Aigburth, Toxteth and Sefton Park.
Lark Lane is amazing and defo try Keith's !!!!
We ended up Suffolk finally ... too much up north for family life!
hellsbells99 · 05/01/2017 21:56
Mrskeats and Southwest - you are right. I thought it was only 6 weeks worth of disruption but have just googled it 
Bellaposy · 05/01/2017 22:02
Agree with previous posters Waterloo and Crosby in the North (Formby is lovely but very suburban), Allerton, Sefton Park area in the South. For a young professional I would choose around Lark Lane or Allerton Road. I'm Liverpool born and raised and live in Waterloo (literally around the corner from a PP!) and it's really coming alive. Loads of independent shops, cafes and coffee shops. I wouldn't go anywhere else.
KissingAFool · 05/01/2017 22:14
Formby is Dullsville. My dad describes it as a "geriatric ghetto". He's 87!
Go for the Wirral. All schools are good. Underpopulated. Beaches. Green Green Green. Biggest stress - overtaking horses and tractors.
Mrskeats · 06/01/2017 16:52
I know re the trains :(( don't envy commuting folk.
I live in Chester which i agree is lovely but the commute would be a pain.
I've lived on Wirral too but Liverpool was the best I think. Loads to do and fun.
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