moving to Liverpool - any advice welcome!

[perapera]

Hi everyone
Not sure if this is the right place to post this (I'll also try the Mumsnet Local) but thought it was worth a try...

My DP, DD (6m) and I will shortly be moving to Liverpool (DP has a new job there) from London. But we have no idea where to live... Can anyone recommend any nice areas to live in? Or any areas to definitely avoid? Initially we'll be renting.

Thanking Liverpool experts in advance!

Hello. What kind of budget do you have? Most places along the Southport train line from Crosby onwards are nice. Ditto the Ormskirk train line from Maghull onwards.

Don't know much about the south of city but Aigburth area is considered good.

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure about our budget - realistically it's quite small because I haven't found work yet and DP's salary is going to be very low. But we currently live in North London and pay about £1000 a month. I'm assuming it's cheaper in Liverpool, but want to live in an OK area, so maybe £500-700? Does that sound realistic?

Will have a look at the areas you suggest.

I should think that's realistic, but it'll completely depend on the area you choose and the type of property you need. Do a search on rightmove.co.uk to get an idea.

What do you need? Where is best in terms of travel? I know the South, and there are lots of nice parts.

Allerton, Calderstones, Childwall, Mossley Hill and parts of Aigburth nice. You just need to be aware of what parts of the area you are in - some parts of Allerton are very plush, near Calderstones park, and others are in streets with lots and lots of students and a bit noisy/rubbishy. I like near Allerton Road as there are lots of cafes/ big parks, little shops for pottering up to with a baby.

You can get 3 bed terraces around there for around 600 month, I think, not sure about bigger houses.

Places to avoid - depends what bothers you as there are nice streets in most areas. Despite all the stigma, some parts of Toxteth are really nice and are near to Sefton Park.

We moved here 6 years ago and its the friendliest place I've lived out of 4 major cities, and while there are always awful people, I've met more people here who are genuinely kind, interesting, helpful and honest than in other places.

depends on where you want to live.
To rent a house around my area would be around £600 a month for a small 3 bed semi with front and back gardens. Suppose it depends what area DP will be working in etc

www.fish4.co.uk/iad/lettings/advert?adId=21121600&sid=s1F9214469229914&pos=6&src=search thats type of properties in my area.

www.fish4.co.uk/iad/lettings/advert?adId=21387476&sid=s1F9214469367301&pos=1&src=search house in allerton

www.fish4.co.uk/iad/lettings/advert?adId=20671674&sid=s1F9214469468965&pos=5&src=search nice part fo aigburth

oh and definetly introduce yourself on the liverpool meet ups threads as they are a lovely bunch

Wow! so helpful - thanks everyone

DP will be working near Liverpool Uni and I don't have a job yet, and don't drive, so I guess somewhere on a train line that goes into town? Although I don't know how buggy-friendly the trains are in Liverpool? And another reason to live in a nice area, so I don't always have to get on transport to do something.

A 3-bed terrace or semi sounds perfect - and much bigger than what we have in London (small two-bed flat).

In terms of what bothers me, I guess the main one would be feeling unsafe, followed by not being able to walk to shops etc.
I'd also like to live somewhere where there's NCT or other mum and baby type stuff going on.

good suggestion about the meet-ups thread - I didn't know about that

thanks again

I think all of the areas that have been suggested will have links into Liverpool city centre, and they certainly aren't areas you would feel 'unsafe' in.

The trains in Liverpool are very buggy friendly (as long as the lifts are working).

have you thought about the Wirral? West Kirby is fab - great schools and amenities, baby groups coming out of your ears, beach, lovely park and a direct train route into Liverpool. also packed to the rafters with uni lecturers.

hello

Crosby and West Kirby sound nice - thanks for the recommendations. I didn't know there were beaches! That sounds great.

And great to hear about the lifts at the stations! Will make a great change from London.

Just wondering - how long does it take into town from these suburbs mentioned e.g. Wootlon, Crosby, West Kirby?

Thank you so much for all your help

trains and nearly all stations in the area are buggy friendly. Woolton ISN"T near a train station. Would be about 1/2 hour on the bus. Crosby would be about 15-20 minutes on the train, West Kirby 30 minutes. Possible disadvantage of living on Wirral is Mersey Tunnel - so a quid toll each time you go through it by car. I agree with other posters- Allerton Road area is nice. Only downside is you might have a yard rather than garden if you live in a terrace.

a vote for south liverpool here...we live in allerton near calderstones...v nice.

however, we're moving to the countryside soon, so what do i know!

buses to town about 20/30 mins depends on rush hour.

get up here quick to get involved in superlambananamania. what do you mean you've never heard of it?!!! it's the greatest craze since sparkly deeleyboppers

I live on the Wirral in Bromborough and trains take about 30 minutes to get into Liverpool Central from here. There are lots of lovely parts to both Liverpool and Wirral with great transport links. I know the Wirral better as I have lived here all my life and only lived in Liverpool briefly as a student!
On the Wirral, West Kirby has already been mentioned, also Bebington, Bromborough (I would say that though!) Heswall, Greasby are all nice. I have a friend living near Sefton Park / Lark lane area and it is beautiful there.

Hi there

I am a singaporea asian indian moving back to liverpool with my 4 year old son. Its seems like a struggle looking for a job in Liverpool. Im kind of nervous really. Where do i start? I am not sure whereabouts to rent a place. Good locations matter to me and good schools for my son too. Any reccomedations on good neighbourhood locations and good school?