Property in Liverpool

Liverpool overview

People live in Liverpool for many reasons. Historically one of Britain's most important ports, the city has in recent years sought to bounce back from economic decline with new industries, a growing service sector, redeveloped docklands (now a UNESCO World Heritage site) and its status as the 2008 European Capital of Culture. It remains a place renowned for its nightlife, music and sport.

Top attractions

• Mersey Ferries - the ferry across the Mersey sung about by Gerry and the Pacemakers is not only a handy way to get across the wide stretch of water separating the city from Birkenhead; it also offers one of the best views of the cityscape and major structures such as the Liver Building
• The Tate Liverpool - Located at the Albert Dock, the Tate Liverpool is one of four Tate galleries, the others being in London and Cornwall. Displays modern and contemporary art to around 600,000 visitors a year
• Anfield and Goodison Park - one of the best ways to get to the heart of the city's culture is to watch a game at one of the two Premiership clubs in the city, located close to each other either side of Stanley Park. The proximity is no accident, as Everton formerly played at Anfield before the landlord evicted them to form their local rivals. New plans to move Everton away from Goodison to a site outside the city in Kirkby have proved highly contentious
• The Cavern Club - not just any club, but one of the most famous clubs of the 1960s, as the venue for hundreds of performances by the city's most famous sons, the Beatles. Has also hosted lesser luminaries such as Cilla Black
• The International Slavery Museum - Liverpool was a major port in the slave trading era and visitors can find out more about these times and the kind of conditions the victims of slavery endured
• Architecture - The city has a number of particularly striking buildings, the most famous being the Liver Building, topped by the Liver birds, the city's symbol. The city also has two striking cathedrals, the striking Anglican cathedral (the largest in Britain) and the modern Catholic Cathedral. Another notable building is the St John's Tower, until recently the tallest in the city and once home to a revolving restaurant
• The Superlambanana sculpture - half lamb, half banana, totally original or a total waste of money depending on one's point of view

Transport in Liverpool

• By Rail - Liverpool's principal terminus is Lime Street, serving intercity services and some local lines. The city centre also includes Moorfields, Central and James Street. These are linked up by a mainline rail service that operates in the manner of an underground system in the central area. The city does not have a genuine underground network like those of London or Glasgow. Plans for a tram service are included in future transport plans but so far funding has proved elusive. The city lacks rail links to its airport or main sporting venues.
• Buses - Liverpool has an extensive bus network running all over the city locally, while carriers like National Express serve destinations all over Britain
• Ferries - While it is possible to cross under the Mersey through road and rail tunnels, the iconic ferry provides a link with the Wirral across the water. Longer distance ferries can be caught to Ireland and the Isle of Man
• Motorways - Liverpool is accessed by the M62 from the west linking it with Manchester and Leeds, in addition to which the M57 runs northwards close to the city and the M53 heads up the Wirral peninsula on the other side of the Mersey

Living in Liverpool

• Universities - Liverpool University is the oldest and highest-ranked of the city's higher education institutions, one of the 1900s 'red brick' establishments. It is 28th in the Times Good University Guide. Liverpool John Moores and Liverpool Hope are the other universities
• Major hospitals - major hospitals include the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool Womens' Hospital and Alder Hey Childrens' Hospital
• History - Liverpool's history is just over 800 years old, tied in heavily with its status as a major port for most of its existence. The port not only exported goods and people to the new world, but also brought many in the opposite direction, with a large Irish community settling in the city. The city also has a substantial Chinese community and a large Chinatown. In latter years the port has been one that has faded as it faces away from the centre of Britain's trade now, leading to industrial decline exacerbated in the 1980s by a dysfunctional city council. However, the city was placed firmly on the world cultural map by the arrival of the Beatles in the 1960s. In recent years the city has redeveloped much of its docklands and city centre, with this year's European Capital of Culture representing another attempt to rebrand and reinvigorate the city
• Culture - Often mocked and stereotyped as cheeky and clannish, the Scouse culture is seen as being as distinctive as its accent. Influenced by the large Irish element, the outward-facing vista as a port city and known for its comedy and music, the city has a reputation for creativity and originality, as well as a less positive one for poverty, crime and political shenanigans. Sport plays a key role, epitomised not only by Liverpool's rivalry with Everton but the footballing rivalry with Manchester United - a phenomenon which, in turn, matches the wider rivalry between the two cities. One aim of the Capital of Culture has been to demonstrate a wider diversity of culture, arts and creativity in the city than many suppose

Property in Liverpool

Liverpool has a population of 436,000, a relatively static figure compared with some cities. The city has a high proportion of terraced houses, with those seeking attractive family homes in leafy suburbs often looking at areas just outside the city such as Crosby. Like most city centres, Liverpool has seen many apartments constructed in recent years. There are well over 100 estate agents in Liverpool listed on Rightmove's website.

One notable consequence of its Capital of Culture status is that house prices rose by 76 per cent in the five years after the status was awarded, according to figures from Halifax, compared with 69 per cent for the north-west and 50 per cent for England in that time.

Dates for the diary

• The Grand National - the biggest date on the British racing calendar comes to Aintree every spring, offering thousands a chance to enjoy a grand day out
• Capital of Culture - for the rest of 2008 the city will continue to put on shows, concerts, art, street theatre and all kinds of other cultural events for visitors and residents alike to enjoy
• Liverpool Irish festival - the city's Irish community celebrates the historic links between Liverpool and Ireland with hearty doses of literature, music, dance, sport and of course Guinness
• Liverpool Music Week - an annual event held each November that features a series of top bands and concerts around the city
• The Lord Mayor's parade - pomp, ceremony and fun every summer as the Lord Mayor's parade sees a wide range of themed carnival floats trundling through the streets, with prizes for the best ones