|
The City of Liverpool, once one of the world's largest ports, is today a revitalised, cosmopolitan city which boasts numerous cultural attractions as well as good shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Dominated by the River Mersey, its distinctive waterfront is now a world heritage site, while its historic dockland area has been transformed into a leading tourist attraction and leisure area. Liverpool is a major centre for the arts, with many excellent museums and galleries including Tate Liverpool, the Walker Gallery, the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Museum of Liverpool Life. The city is immensely proud of its musical heritage, and is well known as being the original home of The Beatles, and it is also internationally famous for its football clubs, race track, and other sporting traditions.
Situated on the west coast of England, Liverpool's geographical position accounts for its fascinating past. The city grew rich on trade, being the gateway to Europe for Americans and a major hub for import and export during the 19th century. The rising prosperity of the city during the Victorian era is reflected in its grand neo-classical buildings, such as St George's Hall and other civic buildings. In the twentieth century, however, Liverpool experienced a sad decline in fortunes, and the many derelict warehouses and docks are reminders of this. Although there has been considerable regeneration throughout the city - Albert Dock being an impressive example of this the city has not yet revived its reputation to quite the extent of some other industrial cities and certain areas remain in need of renovation. There is, however, enormous investment currently being poured into the area, and optimism that this will continue to revitalise the city and restore its image. Indeed, Liverpool has been designated the European Capital of Culture for 2008, and is becoming increasingly recognised as a city of great architectural and cultural interest.
Architecturally, Liverpool boasts many fine buildings. It contains numerous Grade II listed buildings, many handsome Georgian properties, and several monumental Victorian buildings. Its skyline is defined by the three grand buildings of Pier Head built at the beginning of the 20th century. Known as the Three Graces, they comprise the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. Liverpool's two cathedrals are also well-known landmarks: the Anglican Cathedral, with its vast tower, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, with its novel design built in 1967. The warehouses and dockland buildings are fascinating both architecturally and historically. They are testimony to the city's importance during the Industrial Revolution, and the redevelopment of many of these is extremely impressive. Smart contemporary design is particularly in evidence in some of the new waterfront developments, which are now being used for both residential and commercial purposes.
Despite fluctuating fortunes over the past century, Liverpool is now witnessing significant growth, with new businesses and investment in the area leading to increasing employment opportunities. The area is becoming particularly associated with the IT and telecommunications industries; it also has a significant retail sector, and the tourist industry is growing too. As a result, there are many new property developments - both new builds and refurbishments - taking place throughout the city and its suburbs.
Property in Liverpool remains comparatively good value, and many developers are taking advantage of competitive prices in the hope that profits will be made as areas are modernised. Buying a house in Liverpool could therefore prove to be a good investment, and estate agents in Liverpool can advise on suitable areas in which to look for property depending on taste and budget. Some areas are have already undergone significant transformation in recent years, and this is reflected in property price rises. In other areas, it is still possible to buy a house or flat at a price far below the national average. In 2004, the average price of a property in Liverpool was just over £111,00, compared to the national average of nearly £183,000. This average obviously disguises much variation in costs depending on style and location and, like all large cities, there are areas with houses for sale at much higher prices and others where even more affordable housing is available. Rental prices in Liverpool are also competitive, and again estate agents and letting agents can give details of houses or flats to rent.
Some of the more desirable districts to the east of the city centre include the suburbs of West Derby, Childwall and Knotty Ash. These offer attractive housing and have good local schools and amenities. A range of terraced, semi-detached and detached houses are available to buy, and some large period properties in established residential streets can be found, as well as more modern homes and flats. These areas are particularly suitable for families, with 3 or 4-bedroom houses typically upwards of £200,000. The small, exclusive development at nearby Croxteth Country Park is particularly popular, and includes some more expensive housing. Woolton is another established, sought-after residential area and both Woolton and neighbouring Allerton have a number of attractive properties for sale. They are particularly good locations for quick access to motorway links or to the airport, and have good local facilities with pleasant parks and green space. Other affluent suburbs of Liverpool include Hale, Hale Village, Knowsley Village, Maghull, Melling, Orrell, Sandfield Park and Thornton.
Parts of Aigburth to the south also contain good family housing, although other villages along this part of the Mersey estuary are less desirable. This is reflected by the cheaper property prices in areas such as Toxteth and Dingle closer to the centre, and, further south, Speke and Garston. Similarly, Bootle to the north of the city is largely made up of cheaper housing, and closer to the centre the areas of Kirkdale and Anfield have inexpensive houses and flats to buy or to rent.
To the outskirts of Liverpool, the suburbs of Kirkby and Knowsley, to the north-east, may be worth looking at for houses to buy. Being further out of the city, houses here tend to be less expensive, although some larger properties and luxury developments are on the market at high prices. As well as plenty of traditional housing, this area is witnessing many new builds, with new developments of bungalows and town houses.
Within the centre of Liverpool, waterfront properties are particularly sought-after. These can be very stylish and offer an appealing city centre lifestyle. Many properties offer good views over the river and are in easy access to the cultural and recreational amenities of the city. These riverside properties are becoming increasingly popular, and the centre of Liverpool has seen a significant increase in population over recent years on account of the number of young professionals who have chosen to live in the city centre. Apartments in these fashionable areas may cost over £250,000 with luxury penthouse apartments in prestigious locations even higher than this - although at the lower end of the market one-bedroom apartments can easily be found for under £100,000. There is extensive redevelopment taking place throughout the city centre, and many apartments for sale are attractive conversions of Victorian buildings. Others are newly built apartments, often of an interesting contemporary design, while some of the most exciting developments are refurbishments of old warehouse buildings in the dockland area. Residential one and two-bedroom apartments are for sale at Albert Dock, City Quay, South Quay, Quebec Quay, Ropewalks, as well as in the Tower Building and other historic locations.
|  |
|
