Is buying a flat in Liverpool a mad idea?

[Normanfuckingrockwell1]

I don’t mean to imply that Liverpool is not a nice place to live! I’m currently living and working in Manchester (renting) but prices here are rising all the time and it’s not going to be possible for me to buy anywhere nice as a single person, and I’m really seriously considering buying a 1 bed flat on my own in Liverpool and commuting into work - somewhere like Aigburth/Sefton Park. I’ve found some lovely ones and they are only about 85k! It just seems too good to be true. I’m just put off because I don’t know a soul in Liverpool BUT I’m only 28 and am good with meeting new people, plus it’s only an hour away on the train to Manchester where I have friends. I also just feel scared at the thought of being responsible for a flat, I have previously had a mortgage with an ex (he bought my share) and he always dealt with stuff not working, so I guess I feel a bit scared at the thought of being in a city where I know no one and worrying about things not working and not having anyone to call to help me... or am I just overthinking it? I love the idea of owning somewhere that’s mine and not being dependent on a man, and mortgage repayments would be so little! Any advice please?

Whenever I visit Liverpool I instantly become new best friends with every taxi driver I meet.

Commuting shouldn't be too arduous, (Covid permitting) - I've seen both Manchester Grammar schoolboys and soap stars doing the same journey every day. In normal times the train journey would be fine, better than driving.

But if you're going to be working in Manchester you need to find an activity or two in Liverpool to bring you into contact with like minded residents. Yoga class or theatre group or maybe studying part time at one of the universities?

I'd love to live there - but others might have a better idea of residential conditions in specific areas.

Those flats are lovely OP and the area(s) around Sefton Park are great. Just make sure the commute is straightforward - I (pre-Covid) commute to Manchester and take the fast train from Liverpool South Parkway - there is free parking and it's around a 10 min drive from where I live (Smithdown/Greenbank).

Sometimes those flats can have problems with damp so make sure you get a good survey. Or, if you can stretch your budget a bit you could buy a house in other parts of south Liverpool for not much more.

In summary - definitely not overthinking it! See if you can spend a day or two in the different areas (Aigburth, Greenbank, parts of Smithdown Road) and see what you think. Don't go for a flat too close to Lark Lane as it can be quite noisy. I personally really like the flats on Ullet Road but be sure to check your commute from there.

P.S. having lived in both Liverpool and Manchester, I found Liverpool to be MUCH easier to make friends/try new activities, as things are generally a bit more affordable and the city is smaller.

I live in the area you’re describing OP. We moved here without really knowing anyone and now have a little group of local friends. It’s a lovely place to be :-)

You could also consider buying and renting it out, and continuing to rent in Manchester.

Don't overthink it, just go for it. There are million of trades people out there if things go wrong, also if it's a flat won't it be covered by a management company who take care of the bigger things like roofs etc.

Thank you everyone! I actually feel so excited. I’ve always loved Liverpool city centre (Bold Street is so so much nicer than Market St in Manchester) but I will maybe go for a little wander around different residential areas this weekend.

Liverpool is the friendliest place!

And nowhere sells The Sun newspaper, which tells you what fine people they are.

< Actual envy ...

If you are going for a wander, I would suggest taking the train to St Michael's and walking (via Lark Lane - Sefton Park - Ullet Road) to Smithdown Road, then up to Greenbank Park and back round Sefton Park to St Michael's. And think carefully about the commute to Manchester! Oxford Road is fairly straightforward to access.

@bravotango thank you I’ll do just that :) my job is about 2 minutes from Oxford Road so the commute would hopefully be manageable.

If you move in to that area you'll make friends in no time! I'm from North Liverpool but have lived all over Merseyside and my time spent living near Sefton park was probably the best couple of years of my life!

I own a house in Liverpool, prices are great.

I vote go for it! It’s a great place and lm confused why Liverpool is not more expensive. Manchester is so expensive these days

Forgot to say that Liverpool South Parkway would make it easy for you to get to Manchester!

I’m from North Liverpool and all my family are still there, but I wouldn’t go back now. I’ve also lived in Spain, Greece and New Zealand - honestly, round here is where I’m happiest!

I would do it! Could you possibly stretch to a 2 bed as it will be easier to sell when the time comes?

I find that living in a flat I own gives me great peace of mind.

Don't forget to budget for commuting costs though.

Thanks. All I really want is to live on my own and get a cat. The obligation to socialise in a flatshare is so unbelievably draining