It'll come as no surprise that Liverpool was once again named as one of the best places to live in the North West by the Sunday Times.
But if you're looking to move to Merseyside for the first time it can be hard to know where to start house hunting.
Even people who have lived in the region all their life may struggle to decide on a suitable area to move to with each part of the region so different to the next.
Whether you're looking for good schools, a great high street or solid transport links, the Sunday Times takes all of this into account, and more, when compiling its annual Best Places to Live guide.
Judges look for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit.
Liverpool came sixth ahead of Manchester in this year's annual guide, while Altrincham was chosen as the regional winner.
The average sale of a house in Liverpool is said to be in the region of £145,000 while the average rental property is priced at £875 pcm.
Eight areas of Merseyside have been included in the Best Places to Live guide over the last five years.
Here we take a look at those areas and what makes them so desirable.
2021
Aigburth
Aigburth was selected as one of the best areas of Liverpool to live in 2021 by the Sunday Times.
The small neighbourhood located south of the city has a distinctive charm that attracts renters and families alike.
With sprawling green spaces from Sefton Park to Otterspool Park and promenade, Aigburth is a great area for walkers and outdoor types.
Lark Lane is right on your doorstep offering an eclectic mix of independent shops, bars and restaurants.
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Aigburth Road is also a much-loved high street, with long established businesses like the The Bread Shop to more recent additions like The Little Taproom.
The area was described by the judges as “a family-friendly suburb that’s sensible but never boring, with Sefton Park for exercise and Lark Lane for fun”.
There's also plenty of primary and secondary schools to choose from including St Charles’ Catholic Primary School and St. Margaret's Church of England.
Georgian Quarter
The Georgian Quarter is well known for being a desirable place to live in the city and it's easy to see why.
Filled with period properties from townhouses to terraces, the area is a fascinating reminder of Liverpool's past.
From Faulkner Street to Catherine Street, the Georgian Quarter is full of architectural gems.
The close proximity of the University of Liverpool campus means a lot of students live in the area.
With the Everyman Theatre and a range of independent restaurants nestled on the surrounding streets, residents have everything they need right on their doorstep.
The Georgian Quarter is also a popular location with TV crews, with The Ipcress File recently being filmed there.
The Sunday Times judges said: "If you’re lucky enough to find a painstakingly restored townhouse on the cobbles around Hope Street, Falkner Street or Falkner Square — for half the price you’d pay in Bath — then you’re laughing even harder than Doddy."
2020
Southport
In 2020, Southport was ranked among the most desirable locations to live in the North West by the Sunday Times, along with the Georgian Quarter and West Kirby.
As a seaside town, Southport boasts a beautiful beach which is home to the second longest pier in the country.
Green spaces in the town include Hesketh Park, Victoria Park and King's Gardens on Southport's Promenade, which was recently restored to its former glory through a £5.5m restoration project.
Lord Street is a popular shopping destination lined with beautiful Victorian buildings and home to the popular Wayfarers arcade.
Southport's town centre and seafront are both within conservation areas because of their historic character.
In recent years there has been a decline in the quality and appearance of some town centre premises and streetscapes and many buildings have been altered.
But now, thanks to the £1.6m National Lottery Heritage Fund which was awarded to the town in September, Southport will be getting a revamp.
The Southport Townscape Heritage Project aims to "enhance the quality and strength of the linkages between the town centre and the seafront" so that the two become more integrated.
2019
In 2019 Aigburth was also chosen by the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in Merseyside.
2018
Heswall
One part of Wirral landed a top spot on the best places to live 2018 list is the town of Heswall.
The historic town sits in an elevated position on the peninsula’s west coast and boasts of breathtaking views across the Dee estuary towards the Welsh hills.
The Heswall Dales is a popular location for walkers, while golf enthusiasts head to Heswall Golf Club.
Although chains like Gusto and Marks and Spencer have set up in the town, there is also a variety of independent shops and restaurants selling local produce.
And with great transport links, locals can be in Liverpool city centre in half an hour.
However, houses in Heswall don't come cheap, with properties currently on the market with Rightmove priced in the region of between £700,000-£1.5m.
In 2018, the Georgian Quarter was also chosen by judges as one of the region's most sought after areas.
2017
West Kirby
The picturesque seaside town of West Kirby is loved by residents and tourists alike.
It was praised by judges from the Sunday Times for being a "nicely old-fashioned seaside town".
From sailing on the Marine Lake, to walks at Hilbre Island and along the beach, West Kirby is a great destination for those looking to escape city life.
And for those wanting to stay connected to the city, the area has good transport links, with a train ride to Liverpool taking around half an hour.
Judges from the Sunday Times praised the area for its fine schools and seemingly vibrant high street populated with independent bars, cafes and restaurants.
In March this year, West Kirby was also rated as the best place to live in Merseyside for community wellbeing, with its residents coming out as the happiest in the region in a survey carried out by the Co-op.
Baltic Triangle
For those looking to get onto the property ladder but reluctant to give up the excitement of city life, the Baltic Triangle offers the perfect solution.
Hailed as one of the coolest places to live in the UK in recent years, the Baltic Triangle has all of the bars and restaurants you could possibly need, while being positioned at the edge of the city.
The district, which continues to expand into Cains Brewery Village and its surroundings, boasts some of the city’s most popular spaces for gigs and events from 24 Kitchen Street to Camp and Furnace.
As an established creative hub, the area is also home to an array of tech and digital businesses, with new spaces continuing to pop up in the area.
2016
Crosby
Just a 20-minute train ride away from the city centre, residents in Crosby enjoy the best of both worlds, living by the beach while being just a stones throw away from the heart of Liverpool.
The coastal town in the borough of Sefton boasts of some of the most sought-after schools in the region, including St Mary’s College and Merchant Taylors’.
The independent scene means that residents can choose from a range of cafes, shops and independent restaurants on their doorstep.
Crosby leisure centre is also a great asset to the area, with a 25m swimming pool, specialist dance studio, sports hall, two squash courts and a friendly onsite cafe.
And of course Antony Gormley's famous Iron Men on Crosby beach deserve a mention, with the cast iron figures attracting visitors to the area throughout the year before the pandemic.
The Waterfront
Liverpool's iconic waterfront also made the exclusive best places to live list in 2016 and it's easy to see why.
As part of Liverpool's UNESCO World Hertitage site, the waterfront is at the heart of the city's art and culture scene with the Museum of Liverpool, the Royal Liver Building and the Tate right on your doorstep.
Maritime history and world-famous architecture exist shoulder-to-shoulder with a thriving scene of restaurants, bars and attractions on the Albert Dock.
The area has also become a hotspot for luxury homes and apartments, with stunning views looking out across the River Mersey.
With Peel Land and Property’s Liverpool Waters regeneration project now expanding the neighbourhood, new developments including Plaza 1821 are also making the waterfront a prime location for renters.
