Relocating to Liverpool

We want to make relocating as simple as possible for you, which is why we offer reimbursements and financial contributions to all eligible staff.

To find out what we offer as part of our relocation support package, and to find out if you are eligible, please email us or call us on +44 (0)151 231 8784

How to find your next home in Liverpool

If you don’t have much local knowledge finding a new home can seem like a daunting process. In this section you’ll find information about Liverpool and Merseyside that might make your search easier.

A brief guide to Liverpool and Merseyside

Liverpool is part of Merseyside, a county renowned for its friendly people and unique musical heritage.

Within Merseyside there are five councils:

• Sefton 
• Knowsley 
• St Helens 
• Liverpool 
• Wirral

Tip: Take a look at the Liverpool’s Ward Census summaries, which provide detailed information on housing, households and population for 30 Liverpool wards. 

Begin your search

If you are thinking of relocating to Merseyside you’ll be pleased to hear that there are many desirable locations to live within Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Liverpool and the Wirral.

To begin exploring locations in Merseyside, you could use this handy mapping tool.

To begin your search for accommodation you could start by looking at popular property websites such as:

• Rightmove
• Zoopla
• Find a Property
• Nestoria

For temporary accommodation, such as a B&B, hostel or hotel, you could look at these websites:

• Visit Liverpool
• Airbnb
• Hostelworld

For more housing advice please visit the housing section on the Citizens Advice Bureau website.

We want you to have a great work-life balance. Find out what you could get up to in your spare time by reading our Liverpool section.

Liverpool was recently named the fourth friendliest city in the world by Rough Guides and if you do decide to move to this great city you’re bound to get a warm welcome.

Take a look at your International Staff Guide.

If you’re moving from overseas we recommend you read your International Staff Guide which contains useful information on:

• Visas
• Equality and diversity at Liverpool John Moores University
• Certificate of Sponsorship
• National Insurance
• What to do when you arrive 
• Accommodation, mortgages and utilities

Take a look at your guide now to get detailed advice on relocating to Liverpool as an international member of staff.

Liverpool has many excellent nurseries, schools and colleges.

If you need to find childcare or a school for your child, Liverpool City Council has lots of useful information, such as how to apply, performance details and term dates.

Liverpool John Moores University childcare vouchers and a discount on nurseries

Childcare vouchers

As a member of staff you could receive vouchers to help with childcare costs (up to a maximum of £243).

Your vouchers would be exempt from tax and national insurance, and if you participate in the scheme the value of your vouchers would be deducted from your gross salary each month.

You could also receive a discount on local nurseries.

Free early education for children aged three to five

If your children are aged three or four they will be entitled to receive 15 hours of free early education per week, 38 weeks per year.

You can access free early education in a variety of different places, such as:

• Nursery schools
• Nursery classes
• Playgroups
• Day nurseries
• Childminders (who are accredited members of a local Childminding Network)

Please note: Day nurseries, playgroups and childminders must be registered with the Local Authority to receive funding for delivering free early education.

You can find more information about free early education for your children on the Liverpool Council website or the government website.

Find a state school for your child

If your child is under 16 years of age and will be with you as your dependant in England and Wales for more than six months, they should be able to go to a state primary or secondary school free of charge.

You will have to apply for a place for your child online via your local authority website. You can apply to at least three schools.

You can find more information regarding applications within the Liverpool area via the Liverpool Council website. This government tool is also useful for finding a school.

Find a private school for your child

In the UK, private schools are not free. Instead, fees are charged per term.

If you’d like to find a private school for your child visit the Independent Schools Council website.

We all want to minimise our carbon footprint. Thankfully, Liverpool has an excellent public transport system which means that you can use a form of sustainable transport to get to and from work.

In this section, as well as giving you a brief guide to the Merseyside bus and train services, we also highlight some of the transport perks you could receive as a member of staff at Liverpool John Moores University.

Buses

The buses are coordinated by Merseytravel. Local bus routes arrive and depart at either Queen Square or Paradise Street. This map details all of the bus routes in the area.

Trains

The trains are run by Merseyrail. There are four main train stations within the city centre:

• Liverpool Lime Street
• Liverpool Central
• James Street
• Moorfields

All trains traveling to Liverpool within the county pass through these four stations. Services are regular, running every 15 minutes during the day. Early morning and evening services tend to run every half an hour. There will be variations within train times however, so be sure to check out your individual timetable before travelling.

Staff travel benefits

We know that travel costs can be expensive which is why if you plan to use public transport to get to work, you might be able to apply for an annual season ticket loan from the University. The loan will cover the cost of your annual season ticket and the loan is interest free. Repayments are deducted from your net pay in 12 monthly instalments.

We also have a CityBike scheme, cycle to work scheme and car share service for staff members.

Liverpool John Moores University car park

If you come to work by car you can use the parking facilities in the city centre and at the IM Marsh campus. The charge is modest and spaces are on a first come first served basis.

Staff who have relocated report that they really benefitted from speaking to current Liverpool John Moores University employees who had relocated to Liverpool before them.

The chat will be informal and you can ask staff about their experience of:

• Housing
• Areas to live within Merseyside
• Childcare and schools
• What it is like to live in Liverpool
• What you can do within Liverpool
• What it is like to work at Liverpool John Moores University

Here is a list of services and organisations you might find useful when relocating:

Relocating from overseas

• HM Revenue and Customs
• UK Border Agency 
• UK Visas and Immigration 
• International Staff guide

Living in Liverpool and your accommodation

• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Liverpool Council 
• Government private renting 
• It’s Liverpool 
• Liverpool Map 
• BBC Radio Merseyside 
• Visit Liverpool

Education

• Department for Education and Skills 
• Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) 

Transport

• Merseyrail
• National Rail enquiries

If you have a question about relocating please get in touch with us via email or call us on +44 (0)151 231 8784