Topic: Moving to Liverpool

[ScottScott]

Gonna throw a shout in for Prescot here. Lovely little town out Huyton ways. Nice and quiet, some nice areas, great links with the train and near the motorway too. 25 minutes on the train into Lime St

[Millie]

Another shout out for Wirral - I live in Greasby and the bus is  every 10 mins to Liverpool City Centre or you can park and ride and use the train.  Wirral has loads of parks and beaches.

If you want to stay in Liverpool then I am definitely a fan of the South side. I used to live near to Sefton Park (in a flat that 24/7 used to live in - not at the same time  ).  My daughter is a primary school teacher In Toxteth and lives in Aigburth.  Loads of brilliant stuff for kids round that area.  Sefton and Greenbank Parks, Princes Park, Otterspool prom, Calderstones Park not too far away.  Plus commuting to the City Centre is a breeze - buses every couple of minutes plus the train.

[rob1966]

Another shout out for Wirral - I live in Greasby and the bus is  every 10 mins to Liverpool City Centre or you can park and ride and use the train.

If you want to stay in Liverpool then I am definitely a fan of the South side. I used to live near to Sefton Park (in a flat that 24/7 used to live in - not at the same time  ).  My daughter is a primary school teacher In Toxteth and lives in Aigburth.  Loads of brilliant stuff for kids round that area.  Sefton and Greenbank Parks, Princes Park, Otterspool prom, Calderstones Park not too far away.  Plus commuting to the City Centre is a breeze - buses every couple of minutes plus the train.

If I ever moved back, I'd be looking at the south end. Before I met the missus I was looking to move back from Southport and was looking for a place near the river. My dad lived in Allerton and I loved it around there.

[hesbighesred]

Right, I've got to add more context here - income is 25k so 1700 a month after tax, incredibly tight budget. My son is 2 so my partner doesn't work, no car so commute will be by bike. 30-40 minute max cycle ride gives a big radius but, say, Huyton was already at the edge of/beyond that and probably ruled out now given what people are saying above  Wirral is I think rules out by distance and the greater need for a car. £800 is the tops so that my partner doesn't immediately have to find work and so that we can use other income (IE family tax credits) as a rainy day fund and not use up savings (beyond what we'll need to move in the first place). I'll definitely be looking south based on advice in this thread but from the sounds of it unlikely to be affordable, especially as we have a cat which again limits things further. Garden would obviously be amazing but that then really limits us to Walton/Bootle I would think...

Again thank you all for the help and advice. I will definitely be posting another thread when the moves done because I'll be looking for a regular footy game and things like that.

Edit: Plan is obviously for my partner to find work eventually but free childcare doesn't properly kick in for 7 months which is when the youngest turns 3, no point to it her additional income only barely covers childcare costs.

[redbyrdz]

While the Wirral can be nice, and can be handy for the city centre, the big downside is that you have to cross the river every day for work, so there's always an extra fee. There's toll on both tunnels, obviously bus/rail fares, and no option to cross on foot without transport.

[hesbighesred]

While the Wirral can be nice, and can be handy for the city centre, the big downside is that you have to cross the river every day for work, so there's always an extra fee. There's toll on both tunnels, obviously bus/rail fares, and no option to cross on foot without transport.

Yep, lack of cycle access rules out that side of the river, I think.

[redbyrdz]

Right, I've got to add more context here - income is 25k so 1700 a month after tax, incredibly tight budget. My son is 2 so my partner doesn't work, no car so commute will be by bike. 30-40 minute max cycle ride gives a big radius but, say, Huyton was already at the edge of/beyond that and probably rules out now. £800 is the tops so that my partner doesn't immediately have to find work and so that we can use other income (IE family tax credits) as a rainy day fund and not use up savings (beyond what we'll need to move in the first place). I'll definitely be looking south based on advice in this thread but from the sounds of it unlikely to be affordable, especially as we have a cat which again limits things further. Garden would obviously be amazing but that then really limits us to Walton/Bootle I would think...

Again thank you all for the help and advice. I will definitely be posting another thread when the moves done because I'll be looking for a regular footy game and things like that.

Edit: Plan is obviously for my partner to find work eventually but free childcare doesn't properly kick in for 7 months which is when the youngest turns 3, no point to it her additional income only barely covers childcare costs.

Ok, if you go by bike, seriously look at the zoopla link I've posted above. It's 10 min by bike, either along the prom, or you can go via quiet side streets. I do it every day, it takes 10 minutes (oh, and there are lots of cats, the roads are quiet). Also if your income is really tight, look at other L8 places - its really close to town, there are lots of schools and parks, and it is affordable. Obviously it is not the richest area, but there also isn't much trouble - the rough bits of Liverpool are further out.


And, even though I hate to admit it,  L5 and L6 are also cheap and close to town. That side of town is a little bit more run down.

[Millie]

Yep, lack of cycle access rules out that side of the river, I think.

You can take your bike on the train and the ferry but I think the Liverpool side probably would be better for your particular needs.

[redbyrdz]

Yep, lack of cycle access rules out that side of the river, I think.

You are actually allowed to cycle through the old tunnel, but only at night (9pm - 7am weekdays). The tunnel swerves and is tight, so it feels quite dodgy. Bikes are free on Merseyrail, and you can take them on the ferry, when it is not broken. But you'd likely end up paying for transport quite often if you lived over there.


I'd also avoid Bootle to be honest. There isn't a good route into town on a bike. You either have to go on a really busy main road, or do quite a detour for a quieter way.

[Bobsackamano]

This area might be ok for you, just off the high street in Wavertree and near South Drive/North Drive/Chestnut Grove which is a nice little area. It's somewhere in-between south end and north end. I know someone who rents in Aigburth and is looking to buy, she can't afford where she lives and this has been pinpointed as a good alternative. It's pretty central to everything.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130155275#/?channel=RES_LET

[hesbighesred]

.


And, even though I hate to admit it,  L5 and L6 are also cheap and close to town. That side of town is a little bit more run down.

Run down we can live with, but there's always that crucial difference of shabby but has life/facilities/community Vs no investment for years, everything boarded up and crumbling, crack house next door etc etc

Edit:
I'll definitely be posting up some of our searches too, we'll be making an initial shortlist tonight.

Again, amazing help everyone, I had an inkling RAWK would give great advice.

[Son of Spion]

This is all massively helpful, thanks lads. I'm also enjoying the inter-area rivalries! I've accepted the job now (it's bang in the town centre) so it's going to be a mad month of moving ahead.

I hope everything goes smoothly for you. Good luck with the move and finding a nice place to live.

Personally speaking, I like the Waterloo, Crosby and Maghull areas to the north of the city. All on a rail line into the city centre. Crosby and Waterloo being very close to the beach. Maghull being very close to the motorways and countryside. Budget might be problematic in Crosby and Maghull though.

I'm from the north of the city but we are in Sefton Park just now. I like it, but still prefer Crosby. South end does have a number of nice areas though, and is good for parks and the airport.

All the best. Let's know how you get on.

This is nice, but only two bedrooms. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85993650#/?channel=RES_LET

The Marine pub just up the road and the bars, restaurants and pubs of South Road at the end of the street. Marina and beach a few minutes walk away. Liverpool - Southport railway line five minutes walk away.

This might be a bit small, but does have three bedrooms. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131361458#/?channel=RES_LET

A terrace, next to Marine Football Club and a nice pub and local shops on College Road. Beach and swimming baths just ten minutes walk away. Crosby village an easy walk away too, with a Sainsbury's supermarket. Leafy Blundellsands a nice nearby walk. You could even pop in to see Carragher. 

[redbyrdz]

^^^ get run over cycling on the 565 every day.

Nice places, but likely a bit too far to commute by bike, so you'd have to budget for the train every day.

I'd move into town for now, and once your partner is working and you've found your bearings a bit, think about moving again.

[naYoRHa2b]

You are actually allowed to cycle through the old tunnel, but only at night (9pm - 7am weekdays). The tunnel swerves and is tight, so it feels quite dodgy. Bikes are free on Merseyrail, and you can take them on the ferry, when it is not broken. But you'd likely end up paying for transport quite often if you lived over there.


I'd also avoid Bootle to be honest. There isn't a good route into town on a bike. You either have to go on a really busy main road, or do quite a detour for a quieter way.

You could just go down the dock road if you are that side. There's a cycle path all the way from miller's bridge to costco

[redbyrdz]

You'd just go down the dock road. There's a cycle path all the way from miller's bridge to costco

How do you get from the marina to the dock road?

Once on the cycle path, its good, but the stretch of road in between is ridiculous. 2-3 lanes for cars each way, no bike path, and the pavement conpletely broken and with a high kerb every few steps.

[Bobsackamano]

Coming from Bootle you can also use the canal towpath on the Leeds Liverpool canal, shoots you off at Eldonian village and more or less in town.

[naYoRHa2b]

How do you get from the marina to the dock road?

You can go on the path, it's still marked for cyclists as well as pedestrians but you don't get many people walking it, cut through potters barn, use the crossing at the flyover and then it's pretty much a straight ride to miller's bridge.

I wouldn't go on the road to be honest.

[redbyrdz]

Coming from Bootle you can also use the canal towpath on the Leeds Liverpool canal, shoots you off at Eldonian village and more or less in town.

Yeah, but if you live by the beach, you'll have to go up to the canal, then back down to the bike path on the dock road. It's not what you'd want to do twice daily.

Honestly, if I already knew I'd be commuting by bike, I wouldn't pick that area.

[John C]

Seb, that's a big thing uprooting your family and moving to Liverpool for a £25k job. Your wife will also get one, the level depends on her skills and experience.
It presents a different situation about housing and travel though, particularly if you wish to cycle in.

Good luck with it all mate, I'm always here if you need advice.

[Crosby Nick]

Have you always lived in London? Or is this a chance to move back home?

Been an interesting read in here, lots of decent advice. Can see the logic in renting until you know more about the area and your wife is working again but would that mean a bit more upheaval for the kids (or the oldest one at least) if you move areas and move schools again? Although at that age I’m sure they’d settle anywhere pretty easily.

[rob1966]

^^^ get run over cycling on the 565 every day.

Nice places, but likely a bit too far to commute by bike, so you'd have to budget for the train every day.

I'd move into town for now, and once your partner is working and you've found your bearings a bit, think about moving again.

Yeah I used to drive down the 565 when I covered our branch in Bootle and its bad enough in the car, I wouldn't want to cycle along it.

I can't think of a good way to get into town from the likes of Huyton either. I used to drive from Southport to Picton Road when I was based there and that was always rammed

[hesbighesred]

To answer a few questions from above:

Yes, it's absolutely a big thing. 25k isn't loads but it's more than I've earned before, annually. I've been living in London for a long time in a housing association flat, but we are now a four person family living in a one bedroom flat, it's just absolutely not sustainable. My partner has never really felt at home in this flat, for various reasons, so we've been looking for potentially affordable cities. We don't have connections to Liverpool but we know it's a really friendly city with a great history and left wing traditional and lots going on culturally. My daughter isn't particularly happy in school either so we figure it's time for a fresh start, we have some security here in London in terms of tenancy but long term? Rents for a 3 bed house are like £1600+ in even the cheapest parts of London so there's also pretty much zero prospect of ever saving/buying.

[rob1966]

To answer a few questions from above:

Yes, it's absolutely a big thing. 25k isn't loads but it's more than I've earned before, annually. I've been living in London for a long time in a housing association flat, but we are now a four person family living in a one bedroom flat, it's just absolutely not sustainable. My partner has never really felt at home in this flat, for various reasons, so we've been looking for potentially affordable cities. We don't have connections to Liverpool but we know it's a really friendly city with a great history and left wing traditional and lots going on culturally. My daughter isn't particularly happy in school either so we figure it's time for a fresh start, we have some security here in London in terms of tenancy but long term? Rents for a 3 bed house are like £1600+ in even the cheapest parts of London so there's also pretty much zero prospect of ever saving/buying.

Any way you can come up to Liverpool before you move to have a look about, or is it just going to be a case of pick a place and hope for the best?

You'll love it up here and before you know it your kids will have a proper Scouse accent to be proud of

[redbyrdz]

To answer a few questions from above:

Yes, it's absolutely a big thing. 25k isn't loads but it's more than I've earned before, annually. I've been living in London for a long time in a housing association flat, but we are now a four person family living in a one bedroom flat, it's just absolutely not sustainable. My partner has never really felt at home in this flat, for various reasons, so we've been looking for potentially affordable cities. We don't have connections to Liverpool but we know it's a really friendly city with a great history and left wing traditional and lots going on culturally. My daughter isn't particularly happy in school either so we figure it's time for a fresh start, we have some security here in London in terms of tenancy but long term? Rents for a 3 bed house are like £1600+ in even the cheapest parts of London so there's also pretty much zero prospect of ever saving/buying.

It's good here Your income will stretch a lot further, you can get a proper home, you'll be able to take the kids somewhere, and go the pub or for a meal now and then.


Post a list of the places you're thinking about, and we might be able to say if anything sticks out with regards to the area etc.

[hesbighesred]

Any way you can come up to Liverpool before you move to have a look about, or is it just going to be a case of pick a place and hope for the best?

You'll love it up here and before you know it your kids will have a proper Scouse accent to be proud of

We're coming up on the 25th-26th, we'll struggle to do many viewings with the kids but should at least be able to check out the centre and one or two areas.

[redbyrdz]

We're coming up on the 25th-26th, we'll struggle to do many viewings with the kids but should at least be able to check out the centre and one or two areas.

Thats great, before I moved into mine, I just had a cycle around the areas I was looking into to get a feel for them. Worth even if just going for a quick look.

You likely won't have time, but here is an older thread about what to do in Liverpool with kids: https://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=347808.0

[rob1966]

We're coming up on the 25th-26th, we'll struggle to do many viewings with the kids but should at least be able to check out the centre and one or two areas.

Nice one - hope you have a great weekend when you come up.

[gazzam1963]

We're coming up on the 25th-26th, we'll struggle to do many viewings with the kids but should at least be able to check out the centre and one or two areas.

I do work for these bigred and they are decent agents with property all over the city and are actually letting one out for me at the moment .

https://homesureproperty.co.uk/

Might be worth registering with them giving them your budget and what size your happy to accept and you’ll be on the list and
Access quickly to properties to view .

[hesbighesred]

I do work for these bigred and they are decent agents with property all over the city and are actually letting one out for me at the moment .

https://homesureproperty.co.uk/

Might be worth registering with them giving them your budget and what size your happy to accept and you’ll be on the list and
Access quickly to properties to view .

Ace, thank you.

[kesey]

This area might be ok for you, just off the high street in Wavertree and near South Drive/North Drive/Chestnut Grove which is a nice little area. It's somewhere in-between south end and north end. I know someone who rents in Aigburth and is looking to buy, she can't afford where she lives and this has been pinpointed as a good alternative. It's pretty central to everything.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130155275#/?channel=RES_LET

Take take this mans advice mate as one hidden little gem of a pub will be your local.

[Indomitable_Carp]

The Eddy??

[kesey]

The Eddy??

Yep !  What a cosy little gaff that is . No telly ,  an open fire and them legendry Irish Trad nights every Monday.

[pw1008]

You could try L9 post code it covers Walton and Fazak but also the Aintree end of Walton near AIntree racecourse some decent big 3-4 bed terraced houses and about 12 mins from city centre from Aintree station. Not sure on lettings agencys but Whitegates have an office around there. More likley to have yards than gardens 

[ToneLa]

Greenbank Park here I come
view of Sefton Park

the allotments side

3rd march I get me keys

can
not
WAIT

[kavah]

I bumped into a Kiwi couple last weekend and got talking and they've just sold there house near Sefton Park - said they loved it - lived there for 5 years - there only observation about Scouse differences to other places they've lived is everyone asks you how much your dog was 

[hesbighesred]

Been busy busy busy looking for places, looks like the Wirral is our best bet for price/what we're looking for/safe for kids - it's much more commutable than I thought by bike. Liverpool's not a particularly bike-friendly city is it? I found it quite confusing to ride around at times and felt like I was always on some massive dual carriageway!

[redbyrdz]

Been busy busy busy looking for places, looks like the Wirral is our best bet for price/what we're looking for/safe for kids - it's much more commutable than I thought by bike. Liverpool's not a particularly bike-friendly city is it? I found it quite confusing to ride around at times and felt like I was always on some massive dual carriageway!

There is nearly nothing in terms of bike infrastructure, but there are fairly quiet side roads and everything is quite close together. Once you live somewhere, you'll probably find a better route. (Even though I had to cycle to Lime street for years and hated it every single day!)

If you're into bike rides for fun (not just commuting), the Wirral is great, and it's only about 15 miles into north Wales, which is fantastic for cycling.

[hesbighesred]

Yep, really enjoyed having a little cycle to New Brighton and a nosy round there on the bike. And you're exactly that - the lack of infrastructure coming from London was quite striking (and it's frankly pretty shit in London). Drivers weren't bad or anything but it's not fun when you're on a major dual carriageway having to cross lines to make a turn. As you say, it's also a case of getting to know side roads and canny routes better.

Edit:
Which is also a bit of a shame because, as you say, stuff is pretty close together and there's a lot of potential space for cycle lanes. It could potentially be a fantastic city for cycling with a bit of thought and investment.

[Crosby Nick]

How do you cycle to the centre from the Wirral? Can you use the tunnels?

[hesbighesred]

How do you cycle to the centre from the Wirral? Can you use the tunnels?

Ferry or Merseyrail. Commuter ticket for the ferry is around £50 per month, cheaper quarterly so I'll experiment a little bit. Ferry was ace to take the bike on but that wasn't at rush hour times. I think you can bike through one of the tunnels but definitely don't fancy that twice daily, neither for the ride nor the fumes.