Liverpool has been crowned the most desirable UK city to move to, with online property searches in the area continuing to boom.
As restrictions ease, online estate agents Purplebricks found that the demand for city life is back. Despite many households moving to rural regions as a result of nationwide lockdowns, they found cities have been topping the searches on their website once again — and they show no sign of slowing down.
Take a look at the top four cities below...
1. Liverpool
Taking the top spot is Liverpool, thanks to its affordable property prices and buzzy lifestyle. As well as getting more for your money, Purplebricks said that it's a place famed for its 'better work life balance'.
Andrew McEvoy, Territory Operator for Purplebricks in Liverpool explains: 'Since lockdown restrictions have eased, there has been an increase in demand from buyers. For some properties, we are receiving 30 viewing requests within an hour of the property going onto the market. There is strong competition amongst buyers due to the limited supply of available properties.'
Some of the most popular areas include those in South Liverpool, such as the L18 postcodes of Allerton and Mossley Hill. With sprawling green spaces and excellent schools, they are particularly popular with young professionals and families.
2. Birmingham
A brilliant commuter city, Birmingham's popularity is continuing to surge. Despite being an urban jungle, it's loved for its green space — including Sutton Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in Europe.
Phil Gould, Local Property Expert for Purplebricks in Birmingham, says: 'Since lockdown restrictions have eased, we have seen an increase in buyer demand and some properties are selling in days. Two properties on Widney Road, Knowle, both sold the first weekend following multiple viewings and offers. B93, which covers Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath, is a particularly popular postcode because it's a lovely village location just off Junction 5 of the M42 and only 3 miles to Solihull town centre.'
3. Manchester
Commonly known as England's second city, Manchester is famous for its extensive libraries, sporting history and fantastic nightlife. Taking the third spot, Purplebricks says it's so popular because it 'has a little bit of something for everyone'.
Gareth Yates, Local Property Expert for Purplebricks, adds: 'It attracts families due to the excellent schools, especially considering we still have the Grammar school system, and commuters are blessed with a circular motorway network, an ever expanding Metrolink system, strong bus networks and cycle routes.
'Professionals are attracted by the major business hubs such as Manchester City Centre, Media City, and Manchester Airport.'
4. Edinburgh
If you're planning a move to this vibrant city, some of the most popular areas include Gilmerton and Liberton thanks to their affordable price tag — and stellar views. According to Purplebricks, house hunters in the area are looking for homes with an office, garden and lots of natural light.
'Edinburgh is an incredibly popular city, but we are seeing people looking to move out of city centre flats and apartments and into homes with garden space,' says Tomasz Ros, Local Property Expert for Purplebricks. 'As many people can now work from home, they no longer need to live so close to the city centre.'
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13 outdoor cushions that are both practical and stylish
Anthropologie Soula Embroidered Indoor/Outdoor Cushion
Bring the sun to your garden (even on a cloudy day) with Anthropologie's embroidered indoor/outdoor cushion. Perfect for layering on your garden sofa or bench, it's made from polyester and features a piped yellow edge.
Boasting a rust colourway and printed swirling sand dune pattern, this outdoor cushion has been crafted from high-quality UV and water-resistant polyester fabric. It's sure to jazz up any garden sofa.
Bring a tropical feel to your outdoor space with this fun cushion from Next, adorned with palm trees, animal motifs, summer plates, and more.
Give your outdoor bench added comfort with this long cream cushion. Choose from a range of colours to find the right one for your space. Why not get the matching seat pads, too?
Ideal for both indoor and outdoor spaces, this stylish woven cushion hits the spot. It might be made from recycled plastic bottles, but it has a cosy softness to it.
Bring a playful touch to your outdoor decor with this orange and blue garden cushion from furn.com. We love the fun papaya print, which brings a feeling of summer holidays to the garden.
You can't go wrong with stripes. With a water-repellent cotton canvas suitable for outdoor use, it boasts a bold block stripe print and is available in various colours.
If you're not sure what colour or pattern to go for, you can never go wrong with stripes in neutral shades. This white/grey cushion cover will provide an effortless update.
This waterproof garden cushion is perfect for your outdoor space. Thanks to its anti-fungal coating and waterproof lining, it's brilliant for alfresco dining. Barbecue at home, anyone?
Dreaming of warmer climes? Brighten up your outdoor space with these playful cushions, complete with a matching bold orange reverse, standard knife edging and a hidden zip closure.
We love the ruffled edge and large stripes on this statement cushion from Dunelm. Thanks to its water-resistant coating, you don't need to worry if you leave it outside.
In on-trend brown and white, this outdoor cushion features a fun frilly edge and shower-resistant fabric. Pop on your outdoor sofa or hanging egg chair for extra comfort.
