Emma Mayoh on why city living could be right up your street

While some people yearn for the country life, there is nothing some homebuyers love more than being in the centre of a bustling, thriving city. The lure of having a place full of opportunities outside the front door is strong for many of us.

It is easy to see why. The thrill of having some of the area’s best theatres and other entertainment venues within walking distance is alluring. City centres also offer a vast choice of restaurants, cafes and bars to eat and drink at as well as to socialise with family and friends. There’s also likely to be top quality museums, art galleries and high profile events happening close by if you live in a city centre.

All of this convenience can come at a premium with property prices sometimes being sky high. There are some bargains to be had but some apartments attract a multi-million pound price tag.

In Cheshire, we’re lucky to have some fantastic locations to choose from. The historic city of Chester has everything from beautiful homes set in old buildings that ooze character and charm to contemporary properties that offer modern living.

Nearby in Manchester, many of the property options available are apartments but if you’re lucky, you may be able to snatch up a townhouse or terraced home. You may want to consider Liverpool where you can choose from apartments in some of the city’s iconic buildings or there are new builds overlooking the Albert Dock.

There are, of course, a few drawbacks. Parking, if you can manage to get an allocated space outside your home, can be expensive and you may find you’re constantly battling heavy traffic to get in and out of the city centre.

But the advantages certainly outweigh the drawbacks. There is plenty to choose from but the best thing to do is to get out there and discover them for yourself.

The print version of this article appeared in the February 2012 issue of Cheshire Life

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