Part of the metropolitan county of Merseyside in the Northwest of England, Liverpool is a popular destination for expats from around the world and boasts a population of over 475,000 people. The city's economic growth and global renown were historically rooted in its thriving industries, notably its substantial port, which once ranked among the busiest in the world. Today, Liverpool's maritime significance endures as Liverpool Marine is part of the Peel Ports Group, a network of seven ports that is pivotal in facilitating transatlantic trade and fostering innovation. In the past decade, Liverpool experienced strong economic growth and regeneration, focusing on culture, creative industries, and tourism.
In the post-COVID-19 era, Liverpool strives to bring back to life its world-renowned music scene, deep-rooted football heritage, and student life in its three prestigious universities, where thousands of international students are enrolled.
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In July 2023, Liverpool inaugurated its second Investment Zone in England, a move set to pave the way for approximately £320 million in private investments and the creation of 4,000 jobs across Liverpool, Runcorn, St. Helens, Maghull, and Prescot within the coming five years.
Why Liverpool is a good place for work
Liverpool offers a diverse range of work opportunities across different departments in maritime, public administration, education, accounting, and other financial services, operations, and healthcare. According to Talent.com, the average salary in Liverpool in 2023 is £33,000. The cost of living in Liverpool is lower than the national average, allowing employees to get more money for their accommodation in Liverpool, leisure, and grocery shopping.
In Liverpool, expat professionals get a good work–life balance and enjoy the city's diversity and inclusivity. Here, you will find people from different backgrounds and ethnicities contributing to and influencing the city's functioning. Liverpool has Europe's oldest established Chinese community, which arrived in the late 1850s as employees in Liverpool's shipping industry. A visit to Liverpool's Chinatown — the first European Chinatown — will give you a clearer picture of the city's vibrancy and cultural heritage.
Additionally, Liverpool has one of the oldest black communities in Europe and the oldest in the UK, dating 300 years back when Black people arrived at Liverpool's busy port as sailors, soldiers, and slaves. The Black community in Liverpool is intercultural — people came from the Caribbean, the Americas, and Africa.
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Because of Liverpool's diversity, you will often hear people speak in Arabic, Cantonese, Polish, and Spanish.
Tip:
If you want to find out more about why Liverpool is a good place for work and lead an exciting expat life, ask other expats in Liverpool in Expat.com's friendly Liverpool forum.
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The biggest employers in Liverpool
Liverpool's economy is based on the maritime and shipping industry, financial services, engineering, healthcare and medicine sectors, and education.
The port is undoubtedly the region's most financially active spot thanks to imports, exports, and international trade and investment. Liverpool's port is known to be one of the country's (and, at one point, the world's) most important ports — a strategic getaway — mainly due to its geographical location, enabling direct and reliable communication with the United States. As part of the UK's net zero transition, there are plans to redevelop the shipping industry in Liverpool through billion-worth investments in global trade, shipbuilding, and decarbonisation, leading to the creation of new jobs in Liverpool. Also, due to Brexit, more checks on goods are required within the port premises, meaning that more employees are needed to facilitate the bureaucratic demands and prevent a damaging slowdown in trade operations.
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The port of Liverpool serves over 100 destinations outside the European Union, spanning from China to India, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and South America.
Liverpool hosts several maritime freight companies, both national and international banks, insurance and financial service providers, including Bibby Line Group consultants. Additionally, the city is home to automobile industries, with the presence of the Jaguar Land Rover Halewood company.
Many software and video game development companies are also expanding in Liverpool alongside marketing, graphic design, media, and tech companies. Liverpool's historic architecture has also contributed to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the flourishing of the creative sector over the years. The media and film industries have often used Liverpool and its buildings as backdrops for their productions and have helped Liverpool become the most filmed city in Britain.
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The universities in Liverpool are another significant part of the city's economic fabric due to the high number of international students enrolling each year at the University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University, and Liverpool John Moores University.
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Jaguar Land Rover Halewood company
Liverpool John Moores University
Everyday life in Liverpool
Residents of Liverpool often talk about the city's energy. For some, it is the independent shops and cafes; for others, the live music scene and the student crowds give Liverpool a cultural and vivacity boost. History enthusiasts will tell you that the city is unique because of its many museums and art galleries, competing with London's. On the other hand, nature lovers will go on and on about Calderstones Park and the Harthill Botanical Gardens. However, one thing is for sure: however you aspire to make your out-of-work life happen in Liverpool, you will have the opportunities to make it happen.
Despite being a big city, you will get this sense of community and solidarity among its residents. Also, bear in mind that during the peak seasons (usually the spring and summer months), many tourists arrive in Liverpool, mainly due to the city's reputation as the birthplace of The Beatles and its endless shopping opportunities in malls and local markets, such as the Red Brick Market, equated to London's Camden Market.
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The most popular music destination is the Cavern, where the Beatles used to play and where you can still enjoy live music.
Liverpool is home to the UK's biggest open-air mall, Liverpool ONE. Also, Metquarter shopping mall offers an upmarket shopping experience.
Merseyrail serves Liverpool. If you live and work in Liverpool, consider buying the Merseyrail Only Railpass to make your journeys cheaper. On weekends, you can leave Liverpool and head to close-by Manchester City, less than an hour away on the train, which runs until just before midnight. The Liverpool John Lennon Airport is an international airport in the city of Liverpool, making regional and international travel easier.
Liverpool has several trustworthy and expert hospitals offering first-class NHS care. These include the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals, Aintree University Hospital, and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, a major obstetrics, gynecology and neonatology research hospital.
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Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
Finding a job in Liverpool
Liverpool is a good choice if your skills match its major economic sectors. Even if you don't, finding a job in this city will be a lot easier than in other Northern or Southern cities in the UK. While online searching is efficient, you can also call recruiters and directly contact the companies you want to work with. Note that having a Liverpool-based address will help you secure a job faster. You can also seek the help of national or local recruitment agencies while looking for a job.
Tip:
To help you further with your job search, we have compiled two handy UK labour market-related articles: Preparing for a job interview in the UK and Working in the UK. Also, we highly recommend connecting with other professional expats via Expat.com's Liverpool forum.
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We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
