For many, the attraction of city centre living is the hustle and bustle, bright lights and vibrant night life and these are certainly big advantages compared to living in the country or the suburbs. It’s one of the main reasons city centres thrive in terms of business and accommodation.

But there are practical advantages to city centre living too. Cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham offer a wealth of benefits in terms of transportation, local services and shopping.

There are, of course, cultural benefits too. Most major cities boast museums, art galleries and theatres, all offering a variety of cultural attractions.

On the entertainment side of things places like London and Manchester have hundreds of bars, restaurants, nightclubs, comedy clubs and other attractions to suit almost any taste. Places like Chinatown in Manchester and Soho in London provide a unique ambience to be enjoyed as well.

Shopping is plentiful. London’s Bluewater shopping centre and Manchester’s Trafford Centre sit just outside the city centres and are easily accessible via public transport, while within the city both have thriving shopping districts. The same goes for every major city in the UK.

Speaking of public transport and transportation in general, it is plentiful within major cities, with buses, trains, taxis and even trams offering an easy way to get around, whether it’s to and from work, out on the town or even out of the city to other areas of the country. London boasts the world famous black cabs and red double decker buses, while Manchester has its own Metro tram system servicing the city centre and suburbs.

London has several train stations running to all parts of the country, including Euston and Paddington, while Manchester has Piccadilly and Victoria.

For many living in a city centre there is no need to own a car and for some it is only a short walk to work.

We’ve mentioned work already but one major benefit of living in city centres is the sheer number of opportunities for employment. Not only are there the shops and restaurants looking for staff, but many major companies like to base their operations there, providing white collar and blue collar jobs within the numerous office blocks and developments that continue to spring up.

Finally, there is where to live in a city centre. Manchester in particular has seen a boom in the number of flats and luxury apartments available to rent or buy. Redevelopment of old industrial areas has taken place in many major cities in the UK and while rents and sale prices vary greatly depending on the area, there should be a place for everyone, no matter their taste and preference.

The easiest way to find somewhere to live is to use an estate agent or letting agent that specialises in city centre accommodation. If you want to live in Manchester, for example, there are plenty of Manchester estate agents that focus solely on city centre homes, whether they are flats, apartments or houses.

One thing is for sure – if you choose to live in a city centre you are very unlikely to ever be bored!

Author Bio: Trevor Richards is writing on behalf of Shepherd Gilmour, specialist Manchester estate agent.

Category: Society
Keywords: city centre living, city centre benefits, shopping, working, entertainment