Living and Working in the North West

The North West of England seems to have the perfect combination of everything you could possibly wish for in the five counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

This expansive and diverse region lies to the north of the West Midlands and to the west of Yorkshire and the North East with boundaries touching North Wales, East Midlands and the South West of Scotland.

Greater Manchester and Merseyside are the most populated with an energetic and vibrant atmosphere. Little wonder, as incorporated within this area are the two largest cities of the North West, namely Manchester and Liverpool. Both have hugely important  ports, busy airports and famous football teams!

Cheshire is quieter and more rural and due to its affluence, is often described as one of the most desirable places to live and has many beautifully quaint villages with unique shops, cafes and restaurants aplenty.

Lancashire, famous for its crumbly cheese ( as is Cheshire!) is home to the iconic, family seaside resort of Blackpool and other coastal resorts such as Morecambe. The major towns, Preston and Lancaster are more market and industrial focussed.

Cumbria is world famous for the Lake District, so called because of its fifteen lakes- the largest being Lake Windermere.The Cumbrian mountains are the most rugged in England and The Lake District has given inspiration to the likes of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter and continues to offer inspiration due to the glorious scenery.

With such a varied assortment of counties, you can expect the employment to be just as varied.

Greater Manchester has produced much talent through its highly regarded universities and is eager to retain and transform this into a productive, wealthy economy which it is doing very well as employment growth is one of the highest in Europe. Ecommerce, digital technology, engineering, financial services and biotechnology are all at home here. Advanced manufacturing is expanding both here and in Merseyside where sciences, innovation, professional and business development, technology and the environment are all lucrative businesses with an impressive £600 billion promised for infrastructure over the next ten years. Cheshire’s focus is on design, marketing, health services and law but with fantastic links to major roads, commuting is not a problem.

Lancashire's largest employer is the County Council followed by the NHS, retail, manufacturing ,financial and numerous large private sectors whilst Cumbria boasts a large concentration of advanced manufacturing, health and social care, creative and cultural, construction, logistics, agriculture and farming and of course, tourism which hosts an unbelievable almost 50 million visits per annum.

The breathtaking, inspiring and unique scenery and the warm and generous spirit of the people that live here and have done so for generations, casts a spell upon visitors which makes them want to return time and time again. House prices are extremely competitive and suit all budgets whether it's a cosy cottage or a luxury new build home in the centre of hustle and bustle, you will assuredly find it here.