Post by Kev on Mar 1, 2004 7:29:02 GMT -5
AN INCREASING number of young professionals are choosing to live in Liverpool city centre and commute to work in the suburbs and beyond.
Estate agents and investment experts are reporting a boom in properties being sold to people who want the benefits of urban living even though they do not work in the city centre.
Many are prepared to pay a premium for a centrally located apartment and travel to work each day for up to an hour, against the usual tide of morning traffic.
Victoria Neale, 22, lives in an apartment in Concert Square but commutes to her job as a freelance web programmer in Wigan.
She said: "I previously lived in Wigan where I was renting and I decided it was time to get on the property ladder. I chose to move to Liverpool even though most of my clients are in Wigan.
"It takes me about 45 minutes drive each way on the M58, but I find if I set off early and arrange to end my day before 5pm I can usually avoid most of the traffic. I know a lot of people who commute to Wigan from Liverpool and the roads are quite busy.
"It's worth it as I love my apartment. It has a view of the Anglican Cathedral which looks spectacular at night.
"The nightlife in and around Concert Square is a vast improvement on Wigan and I am considering buying a second property to let out."
Jill Moy runs Duke Street-based property investment agency Cuddly Bears with partner Giulio Canetti.
The firm locates and advises on properties for people who are interested in moving into Liverpool.
She said there is an increasing demand from people who want to move into the city but keep their jobs in other towns.
She said: "The strength of city living has really taken hold of people's lives in the past two years.
"The range of people is diverse, with singletons, couples, families and empty nesters among them, who are happy to travel for more than 45 minutes to an hour to work from their new city centre pad."
Becky Williams, 24, lives in Wood Street at the restored Tea Factory apartments although she works as an events co-ordinator for speed dating company www.fast-love.co.uk in Chester.
She commutes to work by train every day but says she would not change her situation.
"Although it was more convenient to live near work I missed Liverpool and my social life. The city has a lot to offer young people, especially with the on-going regeneration around Liverpool. It just keeps getting better and better."
Estate agents and investment experts are reporting a boom in properties being sold to people who want the benefits of urban living even though they do not work in the city centre.
Many are prepared to pay a premium for a centrally located apartment and travel to work each day for up to an hour, against the usual tide of morning traffic.
Victoria Neale, 22, lives in an apartment in Concert Square but commutes to her job as a freelance web programmer in Wigan.
She said: "I previously lived in Wigan where I was renting and I decided it was time to get on the property ladder. I chose to move to Liverpool even though most of my clients are in Wigan.
"It takes me about 45 minutes drive each way on the M58, but I find if I set off early and arrange to end my day before 5pm I can usually avoid most of the traffic. I know a lot of people who commute to Wigan from Liverpool and the roads are quite busy.
"It's worth it as I love my apartment. It has a view of the Anglican Cathedral which looks spectacular at night.
"The nightlife in and around Concert Square is a vast improvement on Wigan and I am considering buying a second property to let out."
Jill Moy runs Duke Street-based property investment agency Cuddly Bears with partner Giulio Canetti.
The firm locates and advises on properties for people who are interested in moving into Liverpool.
She said there is an increasing demand from people who want to move into the city but keep their jobs in other towns.
She said: "The strength of city living has really taken hold of people's lives in the past two years.
"The range of people is diverse, with singletons, couples, families and empty nesters among them, who are happy to travel for more than 45 minutes to an hour to work from their new city centre pad."
Becky Williams, 24, lives in Wood Street at the restored Tea Factory apartments although she works as an events co-ordinator for speed dating company www.fast-love.co.uk in Chester.
She commutes to work by train every day but says she would not change her situation.
"Although it was more convenient to live near work I missed Liverpool and my social life. The city has a lot to offer young people, especially with the on-going regeneration around Liverpool. It just keeps getting better and better."
