Thinking of moving to Liverpool? You’re not alone. Thousands of people from all walks of life make Liverpool their home every year. However, one place that most people go wrong is not finding out enough about the city before making the move.
So, if you’re thinking of moving to Liverpool, you need to read this article until the very end as it’ll go through everything you need to know about the city. This includes the different housing options you have, what you can expect in terms of health & education, cost of living, and a whole lot more.
Location & geography
Location-wise, the city of Liverpool is situated in northwest England, just 35 miles to the west of the Manchester city centre. Thanks to Liverpool’s strategic geographical location, back in the day, it used to be a key port city, contributing to its rich maritime heritage. The city of Liverpool is best known for its vast geography and terrain, ranging from scenic waterfronts and green spaces to bustling urban areas.
Climate & weather
As it sits on the Mersey River, Liverpool experiences a temperate maritime climate with cool winters and mild summers. Rainfall is often expected, but one thing that’s worth mentioning is that it’s evenly distributed throughout the year.
As far as the temperatures are concerned, in the summer, provided there are no abnormalities, temperatures can average between 18 and 20°C. In the winter, it can be quite chilly, with temperatures averaging at around 5 to 7°C.
Cost of living
While the cost of living in Liverpool is lower than that of London, Manchester, and other major cities in the UK, it can certainly vary depending on your preferences and lifestyle choices. Liverpool still is a major city and has something to offer for everyone. As a result, you can get by decently well on a normal salary, but that’s not to say that if you make a little bit more money, you won’t be able to spend it.
Housing options
There are plenty of housing options in Liverpool. The types of properties you’ll most commonly buy or rent include flats and apartments, terraces, semi, or fully detached homes, bungalows, and more.
If you’re wondering how much a flat would cost in Liverpool (or any other type of property, for that matter), we have all of the data for you. On average, just last year, semi-detached houses sold for £234,799 while flats sold for £136,597.
Fully detached houses, on the other hand, ranged in the £400,000 range while terraced houses were in the area of £180,000 – £200,000. As far as rental prices are concerned, the average property in the city is rented out for an average of £1,092.
Of course, the cost of renting and buying a property in Liverpool will greatly depend on where you decide to live within the city. Please note that if you can buy a property such as a flat in Liverpool – that’s the better option long-term. The reason for this is that the city is growing, so if you decide to sell your flat fast in the future, you’ll not only be able to do that, but you’ll likely be able to get a good price for it too.
Transportation
Liverpool has one of the best public transportation systems in the UK. The two main ways locals go around the city are by bus or by train – both of which cover the entire city and a large perimeter outside of it.
Aside from those two, if you live in Liverpool, you’ll also be able to use Uber or local taxis. Liverpool is also home to the popular John Lennon International Airport, which flies to over a hundred different destinations around the world.
Employment opportunities
Employment opportunities in Liverpool are vast, which is the primary reason why the city has been growing at such a rapid rate in recent years. Whether you’re in the tech, finance, or manufacturing industry, you’ll find that Liverpool is home to plenty of employment opportunities.
Education
Liverpool is home to dozens of primary and secondary schools and colleges. As far as universities are concerned, you’ll find a total of 7 within the city and the local area, which is an anomaly. So, if you’re wondering whether Liverpool is a nice place to live for students, the answer is a definitive yes.
Entertainment & recreation
As one of the UK’s major cities, you can rest assured that you won’t have time to get bored in Liverpool. For starters, the city is home to two football clubs, Liverpool F.C. and Everton F.C. So, if you’re into sports, those two teams will keep you on your toes year-round.
But that’s far from the only entertainment and recreation activities you can take part in. Liverpool is also home to dozens of cinemas, theatres, galleries, and museums, all of which are visited by hundreds of thousands of people during the year.
As much as we’d like to list every entertainment or recreation activity you can participate in, you’ll have to read through the list all day. The truth is that Liverpool is a big city, and there is something for everyone – you need to do some Googling to find whatever it is that you’re into.
Safety & security
As a major city, the safety and security in Liverpool are widely discussed. Generally, the city is safe; however, as you can expect, some areas are better avoided. If we were to take a look at the city as a whole, as of January 2024, there were 49.4 crimes per annum per 1,000 workday people.
Compared to the rest of the country, Liverpool’s crime rate is 139% higher. And while its crime rate is higher than average, the good news is that it’s declining. Since last year, there has been 8.8% less crime.
Knowing what to expect before you move to Liverpool can help you prepare better for the move and reduce the number of unpleasant surprises to a minimum. Hopefully, after reading this article, you now have a better idea of what you can expect of Liverpool across the board.
And remember, the city is growing, and so are the number of opportunities within it. If you’re someone who’s looking to develop, whether professionally or in terms of education, Liverpool might be the right place for you.