Later this year, I'm going to buy my first property, at the age of 50 and by myself. Liverpool has always appealed, and I go there now and then for days out as I live quite close (Manchester). But I can't afford a house in Manchester so have identified Liverpool as a place to buy something (a two bedroom terrace - I'm not interested in buying a leasehold flat). I would do my current job as hybrid, travelling to and from Manchester twice a week.
I haven't seen a mortgage broker yet, but I'm working on the assumption that as I have a shit private pension, a mortgage would be offered up to retirement age of 67, so 17 years. My deposit is £60k and I want to keep my repayment to less than £500 a month based on interest at 4.5%. I'm thinking of getting a lodger as I only earn £32k and want the mortgage paid off asap. Also thinking of wriggle room in case interest rates go up. So all in all the house would have to be £130k or less. After many hours rightmoving, the same areas come up - Anfield, Kensington, Bootle , Kirkdale- areas I've not been to but have read there's lots of crime and anti-social behaviours there.
I was hoping some folks could recommend good areas in the city or nearby, preferably with a train station? that have houses in my budget? I read here ages ago that you should try and avoid places in the city north of the city centre but I can't afford to buy in the nice bits!