As a parent, you may be considering setting up a fund to pay for your child to attend university. Given that a 3-year (on average) undergraduate course at a university in the UK can currently cost up to £27,750 for students from the UK, and as much as £75,000 for international students, planning ahead is an incredibly shrewd step.

The amount you will need to earn or save all depends on what university your child will attend, for how long, and whether you are from the UK, the EU or elsewhere in the world. Not to mention you may also want to consider whether you will need to save money for additional costs, such as visa applications, living costs, school supplies, etc.

Given the timeframe and the amount of money you may need, investing in property can be a great way to build this fund, and possibly make some money in the long run!

Capital growth

The growth of capital from rising house prices is a key consideration for a long-term saving goal, such as a university fund. In 2016, house prices in the UK have risen by 7.7% on average, with the growth in key cities being as much as 10.8%. For example, if you average this out over the course of 18 years, you should easily save enough to pay for university when investing in a £100,000 property. Not to mention you will be gaining income through accrued rent as well.

Rental yield

On top of the gain from capital growth, you could potentially put aside some or all of the annual rental income from your investment property. Whether or not you can save some or any of the rental income will depend on whether you have used cash or a buy-to-let mortgage in order to purchase your investment property. Naturally, if you have a mortgage, the rental income will need to cover your mortgage payments first.

If you have the cash upfront you might perhaps wonder if it is worthwhile to invest it into property, or just keep it in a savings account until such time as it is needed. Nowadays the answer is very clear though. By investing in property, you can really make your money work for you as rental yields far exceed any interest a bank might offer. Thus, providing you with a superior additional income option that you could use to fund your child’s future university education independently of your personal earnings.

Timeframe

Depending on when you decide to start a fund for your child’s university fees will dictate to some extent how much you can earn, and this in turn will affect whether or not a property investment is the right route. If you purchase your property shortly after your child is born, you have a long period over which to save for the university fund. However, if you are only starting to save towards this goal when your child is say 12 – giving you approximately 5 years to save for your fund – you can still gain a substantial sum through property investment towards that goal, and there’s one consideration in particular that can make property investment an excellent option – location.

Location

Indeed, if you’re looking at making an investment in property to help pay for university, but there are only a few years before your child will be applying, you could still make it work! If they know where in the UK they would like to study, one option would be to purchase an investment property in that specific university city. You can rent it out and collect the rent from it until your child is ready to attend university and then they can live in it themselves, eliminating one of the largest costs of sending your child to university in the UK.

As an added bonus, you can either keep this as an income producing asset, or sell it off to invest in something further along in the future. But this possibility is dependent on being sure what city/university your child wants to study at and it being a city where this is actually economically viable. For example, if they want to study in London the upfront cost of purchasing a property will likely make this option prohibitive and quite uneconomical, whereas if their heart is set on studying in say Liverpool, where property prices are considerably lower, this could certainly be a wise investment option.

Taxes and Stamp Duty

Taxes and stamp duties will of course play a big role. It might be wise to consider actually putting this additional property in your child’s name. Meaning if in the worst case scenario something happens to you, then your child is not burdened by additional inheritance tax. Plus, if you already own a property in the UK, you might be susceptible to stamp duty. If this is the case, you can avoid this altogether if you put the property in your child’s name. These are things each investor has to weigh up and consider before making an investment, but it’s always good to think about the different options available.

Current Climate

The UK has traditionally been seen as a safe haven for property investment. Whenever the world is affected by economic turbulence many look into putting their hard earned wealth into property in the UK. This has happened historically in the UAE, Asia, Russia, and now most recently the USA with the presidential elections taking place. When uncertainty or currency unpredictability kicks in, sales of property in the UK increase.

Recently, we’ve seen a lot of our clients have already been thinking about this, and indeed we have received numerous enquiries relating to this. Savvy parents/investors are already looking to buy-to-let as a means funding their offspring’s education. The thought is “buy now and sell in 10 years” to pay for their kids to go to university in the UK. By planning ahead and weighing up all the options available you can reduce the risks and increase the likelihoods of making sound investments.

If you’ve been thinking about investing in property in the UK then why not check out our post about Why Brexit Can Be a Great Opportunity for Property Investors. Alternatively, why not jump straight in to see what we have available if you already know you want to invest in student property.

The city of Dubai is glowing with promise, full of old world charm and exciting, modern development projects. Sometimes called ‘the city of gold’ thanks to its gold souk that houses over 250 retailers of the precious metal (making it a major player in the gold trading scene), it really is a gem of a place. This fascinating, tax-free city is rapidly growing and changing, and we think Dubai offers people a fantastic investment opportunity. Here’s why.

A Global City

Dubai’s history as an important trading post connecting the West with the East, has drawn foreigners to the city for centuries, and it is a truly multi-cultural society today. In fact, it is the most populous city in the whole of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)!

Although its culture mainly revolves around traditional Arabic and Islamic culture – as can be seen in its dress, architecture, music and cuisine – thanks to the increasing influx of foreign workers and investment, Dubai is a truly global city that has developed into a thriving business hub within the Middle East. This combination of traditional values and western business attitudes has led to the weekend falling on Friday-Saturday. This compromise respects Friday’s holiness to Muslims, whilst recognising the Western weekend of Saturday-Sunday.

And workers aren’t the only ones being drawn from across the globe to the city, with tourists flocking there in ever increasing numbers.

Blossoming Tourism Industry

Much like the Dubai Miracle Garden, a 72,000-metre flower garden, the city’s tourism is flourishing. And, like the Miracle Garden, which with 45 million flowers is the largest in the world, many of the attractions in Dubai are big and bold.

From the Burj Al Arab, the world’s only ‘7-star hotel’, to the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping centre, many of the new projects for the city are aiming to amplify this reputation of ‘large and luxurious’. This ‘wow’ factor brought over 14million visitors to the emirate in 2015 alone.

And while Dubai Mall may be the world’s largest shopping centre, it certainly isn’t Dubai’s only one. With over 70 malls and a myriad of traditional souk districts, the city has claimed the title of ‘the shopping capital of the middle east’. In fact, in January they hold a month-long shopping festival!

Sports fans also make a significant number of the visitors to the city these days, with annual events like the Dubai Tennis Championships, the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament and the Dubai World Cup horse race taking place in the emirate.

Another big event coming up for Dubai is Expo 2020, the Universal exposition that is the current day iteration of the World’s Fair expositions that took place in 1800s. Expo 2020’s theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. Over 6 months, 25 million people from across the globe are expected to visit and explore the variety of events being hosted at this stunning public exhibition.

Another key area for tourism is the Dubai Creek. Separating Deira from the Bur Dubai, the creek has been vital to the city’s economic development, not least because of the many attractions that can be found at Dubai Creek Park. Famous highlights such as the cable car and Dolphinarium make significant contributions to the city’s tourism. And this growing industry has added a lot of value to Dubai’s economy.

Strong, Evolving Economy

The emirate has historically built its economy around trade and, to a certain extent, oil. However, Dubai is now diversifying, with the service and tourism industries contributing sizable amounts to its economy. The government has also developed several free zones within the city to encourage specific industries. One key area is the Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority, where companies such as Microsoft, IBM, CNN and Reuters have offices with the Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City developments.

This has led the emirate to become one of the world’s fastest growing economies, with a GDP of over $82billion in 2014. Foreign companies and the lure of a tax-free, luxurious lifestyle is a big draw for talented professionals from around the world, adding to both the city’s revenues and its multi-cultural nature.

Although Dubai has come a long-way from its trade-centric economy, transport is still a big part of the emirates current success.

A Transport Hub

Having historically been an important transit point for both cargo and passengers, it’s not surprising that getting to and around Dubai today is relatively easy. There are a myriad of ways to move around the city, with a strong road infrastructure, a tram, metro, monorail and high speed rail line. The waterways have also been an essential part of the city’s transport network, with a water bus and water taxis catering mainly to tourists.

And then there are Dubai’s ports. Port Rashid and Port Jebel Ali – the world’s largest man-made harbour and 7th busiest port – are the two major commercial ports in Dubai. Many cruise liners are received at Port Rashid, including Cunard, P&O and Royal Caribbean.

But perhaps the most important part of the transport network is the Dubai International Airport, which acts as a gateway between the West and the East. The UAE’s state airline, Emirates, is based at the airport, which flies to global destinations, from Auckland to New York to London. Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, is set to become one of the biggest airports in the world. It will form part of the Dubai World Central, an ongoing development that will be a large residential, commercial and logistics complex.

Dubai also looks set to be the home of the inaugural offering from Hyperloop One, with their superfast pods connecting the city to Abu Dhabi in a short 12 minute journey.

And it’s not just the transport that could take a futuristic turn. Dubai’s skyline is gaining more and more modern buildings.

A Property Hotspot

Architecture in Dubai is a stunning mix of old-world Islamic styles and modern western design. But it is the new wave of construction that is fuelling interest and investment in the city.

Large-scale projects like the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Khalifa, which at 828 metres high is the world’s tallest man-made building, are proving a draw to developers looking for an opportunity to build new, exciting projects. The city is fast becoming known for its cityscape of spectacular high rises and skyscrapers.

And for those looking to invest in the city, there’s an added incentive. Dubai enjoys a tax-free status, meaning you don’t pay income or capital gains tax on your property investment.

Large and luxurious new developments, such as our Montrell serviced apartments units, provide excellent opportunities for property investors to gain strong rental returns, with lesser risks and costs.

If you would like to read more about investing in Dubai, then check out our useful post on Dubai Property Investment and why The Time to invest is Right Now!.

Considered the cultural, financial and commercial heart of the West Yorkshire Urban Area, Leeds is a thriving hub, central to the North of England.

A contemporary city, with visions of becoming a ’24 hour European city’, it has been growing a modern economy whilst reflecting its heritage and culture.

This has proven to be a big draw to tourists, workers and investors alike. And we can certainly see why it would be so attractive. In fact, here is why we think you should be considering investing in property in Leeds.

Contemporary Culture

Although Leeds has a noted and fascinating past as an historic wool mill town, these days it is more widely known for its modern cultural attributes.

The city has become somewhat of a hotbed for talented artists, with the likes of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Kenneth Armitage and Damien Hirst having studied at the Leeds Arts College. It has made a name for itself as being a centre for radical British art. Suffice to say, there’s plenty of art galleries and museums to visit if you’re feeling inspired.

The Leeds Festival, one of the UK’s biggest music festivals, attracts some of the biggest rock and indie acts performing. Headliners have included Blink 182, Metallica and, this year, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, not to mention the approximately 75,000 music fans who attend.

The city also hosts the Leeds International Film Festival, England’s largest film festival outside London. 40,000 eager cinema-goers view over 300 shorts and feature-length films over the course of the festival, with the winning short films eligible to enter the industry’s most prestigious awards ceremony, the Academy Awards.

And then, there’s the shopping.

Shoppers Paradise

Yes, if you love to shop, this is the place for you! Leeds has become the principal shopping centre for the entire Yorkshire and the Humber region. This is thanks, in part, to the many indoor shopping centres within the city, including St John’s Centre, the Merrion Centre, The Core, The Light, the Victoria Quarter, Trinity Leeds and the Corn Exchange. These centres feature a combined floor-space of 2,264,100 square feet (210,340 m2), that houses over 1,000 retail stores.

But not content with the proliferation of shopping malls, the city has a large pedestrian zone where many UK and global high street brands can be found. Briggate is the main street where the likes of House of Fraser, Debenhams, Harvey Nichols and Marks & Spencer can be found. If you’re looking for something a little more high-end, head to the Victoria Quarter. Luxury retailers including Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Louis Vuitton make themselves at home in this area, amongst some truly incredible architecture.

With so much going on in the city, it’s no wonder that Leeds is a bit of tourist hotspot.

Tourism and Transport

Each year, Leeds welcomes 11.5 million visitors from both the UK and across Europe, either to stay in the city or visit on day trips. This massive industry supports over 20,000 full-time jobs and brings nearly £735 million to the local economy.

When not enjoying the city’s many cultural and historical attractions, visitors can benefit from some fresh air and take in some of the country’s most spectacular scenery at the nearby Yorkshire Dales National Park.

If you now fancy visiting yourself, getting there is easy! Major roadways including the A1, M1 and M62 are in the vicinity, as well as an urban motorway network, which brings drivers right into the city centre via the M621. The city also boasts one of England’s largest and busiest railway stations, with services from London and across the North of England passing through it and connecting to a network of 16 local stations across the region. These services will be further bolstered by the HS2 high speed rail link, which will stop at the Leeds Railway Station.

And if you want to fly into the city, you’re in luck too, as it is served by the Leeds-Bradford Airport offering flights to a variety of destinations in the UK and across Europe.

All of this helps supports a buoyant economy that has seen Leeds become a financial hub.

Financial Centre

In Leeds, the financial and services industry is worth over £2 billion, making it the 5th largest in the UK.

Over 30 national and international banks have taken up residence in the city, with First Direct and Yorkshire Bank basing their headquarters there. Leeds has also become an important centre for related sectors such as equity, venture and risk finance. In fact, the UK’s largest provider of risk capital to small and medium-sized enterprises, YFM Equity Partners, was founded in the city. Large corporate and law sectors are present in the city too.

Developing into a modern economy from the post-industrial decay, Leeds is set on becoming a contemporary, 24-hour style city. This has encouraged the rise of creative industries in the city, with companies such as Rockstar (the video game developer that produces hits such as the Grand Theft Auto series) opening an office there.

Leeds has seen a great deal of investment and regeneration in recent years. In an effort to promote further development, the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone was launched in the city in 2012.

And to provide a fresh, young workforce for these diverse industries, Leeds is served by four universities, as well as a range of college’s and institutions including the aforementioned Leeds Art College. This explains why Leeds has the fourth largest student population in the country, with over 200,000 people studying in the city.

Attractive Property Market

For a city that promotes itself as a financial hub, property prices in Leeds are surprisingly modest. Although they are in line with the generally lower prices found in the North of England. There is also a strong rental market in the city. When you combine these factors with a young workforce and high student population, investors can expect attractive rental yields.

There’s a good mix of property to choose from. Whether you have a preference for classic Victorian houses or modern apartments, you’ll find something you like in the city. And with the ongoing investment in the city centre, developments featuring luxurious penthouses are available too.

And with projects such as the proposed £350million regeneration of the city’s South Bank area – set to include a mix of commercial and residential use, with 4000 homes being built – residents, visitors and investors have a lot to be excited about.

If you enjoyed this article, then you might find our 11 Facts About Leeds useful and fun also.

Liverpool is at the centre of the UK’s second largest regional economy with access to six million customers, an economy worth more than £121 billion and 252,000 businesses. And in the very centre of this is the new up-and-coming property investment hotspot – RopeWalks.

Found in Liverpool’s exclusive L1 postcode, the RopeWalks area has a rich history. It takes its name and structure from the many rope makers that were based there during the 19th Century. So much so that the roads themselves were built to accommodate the huge shipping ropes made in the city back in the day. Nowadays this locale also features part of Liverpool’s Maritime Mercantile City, a World Heritage Site, Chinatown, and Liverpool’s largest public art instalment. RopeWalks is an incredibly characterful, trendy, and vibrant part of the city centre.

In the last decade, the RopeWalks vicinity has seen over £100 million of investment, restoring some of the historical Georgian properties and refreshing others with new, award-winning architecture. With the help of a £1.5 million fund created by Liverpool City Council, the area has gone from a collection of derelict buildings to one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the whole of the UK. This has helped to develop the RopeWalks region into a creative hub with a colourful mix of independent businesses, shops, galleries, cafes, pubs and bars. This attracts a variety of young, innovative and entrepreneurial visitors, residents and business-owners all looking to make the district their home.

Now, chic residential buildings, such as our RopeWalks development, are offering the perfect investment for those looking to add to their property portfolio. This exclusive collection of apartments is on historic Duke Street, which backs onto Wolstenholme Square through Tunnage Square (really just a good-looking alleyway), where the famous Penelope sculpture can be found. This attention-grabbing piece by Cuban-American sculpture artist Jorge Pardo was initiated by the Tate Liverpool and commissioned by the Liverpool RopeWalks Partnership as part of Liverpool’s Biennial 2002.

Wandering around RopeWalks, you will undoubtedly also stumble upon monuments such as the Chinese Arch. Decorated with 200 Chinese dragons, it marks the entrance to Europe’s oldest Chinatown and is the focus of the Chinese New Year celebrations along Nelson Street. This area is also embarking on an ambitious rejuvenation, with the £200 million New Chinatown Liverpool project breaking ground earlier this year.

This scheme, backed by Liverpool City Council, includes the development of a hotel, 850 new homes and will feature “a unique Chinese retail core”, which will turn the area into a “hub for Chinese businesses and retailers keen for a foothold in the UK.” The designs for New Chinatown are part of the Northern Powerhouse investment project and were shown to Chinese president Xi Jinping, during his visit to the north of England in October, 2015.

The area is also close to other key parts of the city such as the Baltic Triangle, Albert Docks and the Liverpool ONE shopping precinct. All of which are also blossoming due to extensive regeneration plans.

With so much potential and such significant funding pouring into the city, and this area in particular, RopeWalks offers property buyers, and investors alike, a considerable investment. Especially when taking into account the relatively low house prices in the city when compared to UK national averages. RopeWalks is truly one of Liverpool’s glowing gems that can only keep shining brighter as the years go by.

If you’re looking to learn more about which area to invest in this great city then check out our useful post on the top 6 postcodes in Liverpool to invest in. If you’re ready to get started then you can skip ahead and have a look at our investment opportunities in Liverpool.

Amongst a package of economic measure announced yesterday, the Bank of England has cut its base rate from 0.5 per cent to 0.25 per cent. This historic low will be welcomed by many, but just what impact is it likely to have for house buyers and investors?

Mortgages

If you have a mortgage or are looking to get one in order to buy, you’re in luck! The cut in interest rates is likely to improve the offerings of mortgage lenders, encouraging prospective home-buyers. And for those who are already on tracker mortgages, monthly repayments will go down. Both of these factors will help to maintain a healthy property market.

Lower cost of borrowing for businesses

For UK companies looking to grow, the ability to borrow at lower costs will certainly be a welcome thing. And this will be one of the main things that the Bank of England had in mind when it decided to go ahead with the rate cut. This is due to the fact that, generally, lowering the cost of borrowing tends to boost overall investment in firms and, in turn, encourage them to hire new staff – something that is key to ensuring economic stability.

Savings and investment

One downside of a rate cut is the impact on savers. The rock bottom interest rate makes it virtually pointless to hold your cash in a savings account. However, there are alternatives. Those with savings could consider putting funds into either an ISA or investing their money in order to get a lot more reasonable returns. And in the current climate, property is proving to be a lower-risk, higher yield investment option.

The cut has also resulted in the value of the pound reducing again, which makes investment in the UK property market even more attractive to foreign investors. At the moment property prices are 10% cheaper now when purchasing using Dollars or Euros, compared to just 1 month ago!

Positive outlook

This combination of factors can only help to return confidence in the UK’s economic prospects. It may also quieten any concerns about the impact of the countries European referendum result.

According to Russell Quirk, the founder of property site eMoov.co.uk, “The Brexit result brought about sensationalist prophecies of a less stable housing market and, as a result, many would have been deterred from buying. However, today’s news should come as a reassurance that the UK property market is in a more than stable condition.”

“A cut in interest rates is the antidote for the post-Brexit worry and will, as a consequence, ensure that the UK economy continues to be underpinned by buoyant property prices.”

For more news on Brexit’s effect on the UK housing market, check out Is Foreign Investment in London Property Set to Rise?.

Steeped in history, culture and a general vibrant feel to the place, Liverpool is a thriving metropolis and one of the most exciting cities in the UK. With a young population, a growing reputation as a tech hub and investment flooding in, the city has a lot to offer for those looking to add to their property portfolios. Here are just some of the reasons we think you should consider investing in this Northern Powerhouse city.

Strong Property Market

With traditionally low prices and a variety of new housing developments across the city, Liverpool’s property market is buoyant at the moment. There are many reasons why Liverpool offers such great value for both residents and investors. As is typical with much of the North, prices in the city are considerably more affordable than property in the south, particularly London – the average price over the last year being £145,349.

Transportation infrastructure is also good and is set to improve further. Via train, you can travel almost anywhere you could want to – you can take the TransPennine Express to Manchester or Newcastle from Liverpool Lime Street station, and getting to London is just two hours away with hourly services.

The city is also served by Liverpool John Lennon airport, which handles over 5.3million passengers each year, travelling to 68 destinations across the UK and Europe. Living in Liverpool offers the choice between city centre living or more rural locations, with both countryside and coastal options available. And when it comes to lifestyle, Liverpool can’t be beaten.

Cultural Hub

The Beatles. Need we say more? Well, we will anyway. Because as much as the Fab Four are universally accepted as one of the greatest bands of all time, they’re just the tip of Liverpool’s cultural iceberg. Being a port city, it’s natural that it has become a cosmopolitan cultural hub. Named the World Capital City of Pop by Guinness World Records, Liverpool is well-versed in music, with a buzzing live scene and many notable acts (aside from the aforementioned) emanating from the city.

Film has played an equally big part, with Liverpool being the most filmed location in UK outside London. Films from classics like Chariots of Fire to Hollywood box office smashes such as Captain America: The First Avenger and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One have been filmed in the city. It has also doubled on the big screen as Chicago, London, Moscow, New York, Paris and Rome. This is due in part to the city’s array of stunning architecture, with several areas of the city centre being granted World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 2004.

The city also boasts an impressive collection of major museums and art galleries – more than any other UK city outside London. And when you’re talking about culture in Liverpool, one of the strongest is the football culture. Home to two Premier League teams, Liverpool FC and Everton FC, Merseyside derbies are some of the most electric in the league. It’s not surprising that all this creativity is translating into innovative businesses and start-up tech companies growing across the city.

Tech and Creative Hub

This is a city with creativity in its DNA. The Baltic Triangle area is home to the Liverpool’s new Tech City, which is set to rival London’s for innovation, investment and reputation. Companies within the creative industries, from games developers to ad agencies, are flocking to the port city to set up base or open new offices. They in turn are attracting a new tribe of smart and entrepreneurial-minded young people, with creative skills and tech knowledge.

Young and local talent is also being cultivated in the city. Mercia Technologies partnering with two of Liverpool’s major universities, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, to help new spin-off enterprises get off the ground in the area. With a flourishing start-up culture and investment pouring in, the creative industries are contributing millions to the region’s economy.

Booming Economy

And it’s not just these emerging industries that are driving the local economy. A combination of traditional industrial heritage and thriving tourism industry are driving the local economy. According to the latest government data, its regional economy is one of the fastest growing in England. In fact, output in the city has increased by 39% in the last decade!

Liverpool is also a base for many major companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Maersk, Barclays Wealth, who are investing heavily in the city. And then there’s Bibby Line, one of Liverpool’s oldest major companies, who combine two of the city’s longest standing industries: maritime and financial services.

With so many cultural attractions, Liverpool is the fifth most visited city in the UK. This steady stream of tourists brings over £1 billion to the local economy every year. The city’s economic growth is buoyed further by the proposed Northern Powerhouse, which is drawing even more investment to the area.

Lots of Investment

Over recent years, Liverpool has seen a vast amount of investment, from the £1 billion regeneration of the city centre to create the Liverpool ONE shopping centre, to the £87 million spent developing the Baltic Triangle area. And with so much interest from foreign investors in Liverpool as part of the Northern Powerhouse that level of funding is set to continue.

The city’s transport links are set to be significantly improved over the next few years. Aside from the exciting possibility of being linked to the HS2 trainline, the Liverpool city region will benefit from a £340 million upgrade to the current train network. The city’s port will also undergo a massive redevelopment. As well as talk from new mayor, Joe Anderson, of a new metro ferry, Peel Ports Group will be pouring £300 million into building a new container terminal.

If you enjoyed this article and are thinking of investing in Liverpool, then you might find our 11 Facts about Liverpool useful and fun also.

Manchester is a bustling, modern city with a lot going for it. With low property prices and a prosperous local economy and wide range of industries, the city is incredibly attractive to residents and investors. Here’s why we think you should consider England’s second city for your property investment.

Cultural and Sporting Magnet

Manchester has given us an enormous amount of great music. Take That, one of the world’s most famous boy bands, hails from the city, as do the likes of M People and, further back, The Hollies. But the region’s greatest musical contribution comes from the large number of indie, rock bands. From The Smiths, Joy Division and Happy Mondays to Oasis, The Charlatans and The Stone Roses, Manchester has brought us some of the UK’s biggest rock acts.

These high-profile music stars are matched by the superstar footballers that call the city home. This is thanks to the presence of Premiership powerhouses Manchester United and Manchester City. Between them, these two teams have accumulated 15 Premier Leagues titles (13 of which were won by Manchester United) and 17 FA Cups (again, 12 of those belong to Man Utd), as well as numerous European competition wins.

But it’s not all about football. The city has hosted just about every major sporting event going. From the Commonwealth Games in 2002 to the Champions League Final in 2003, the Ashes series and the Rugby League World Cup in 2013 to the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

If Museums and galleries are more your scene, you’re spoilt for choice in Manchester. Expand your mind at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry, explore history at the Imperial War Museum North, view some of the countries’ best natural history collections at the Manchester Museum, or marvel at the stunning artwork found at the Whitworth Art Gallery, The Lowry and the Manchester Art Gallery.

Then there’s HOME. This purpose-built cultural centre brings together some of the best in international contemporary art, theatre, film and books. And of course, for a city that boasts such a strong sporting history, the National Football Museum can be found in Manchester.

With culture running so thoroughly through its veins, it’s no surprise that the city has become a hub for media and creative companies.

Creative Media Capital

With no other city in Europe investing as much in the digital, media and creative industries, it’s clear they are a big, important part of this thoroughly modern city. £3.5 billion has been spent creating a global hub for creative industries. In fact, Manchester has become the second largest centre of creative and digital industries in Europe!

Television broadcasting is a big contributor to this reputation. MediaCityUK in Salford is a newly developed 200-acre site that is home to the BBC, ITV and the University of Salford’s media, creative and digital campus. It is the largest purpose-built media location in Europe, with more than 80 creative and digital companies making up the tenants of the development. Of such size and importance, MediaCityUK even has its own tram stop!

Over the years, the reputation of television programmes has also grown. Amongst its most notable exports are Coronation Street (filmed at ITV’s MediaCityUK studio), the world’s longest running serial soap drama. Manchester also boasts the highest number of local radio stations outside London.

The city’s thriving digital scene is made up of a combination of long-standing, successful agencies and hungry young start-ups. This gives the city’s 7,200 creative and media students plenty of employment options. Manchester is the only place outside of London to have an international internet exchange and is designated as a ‘super-connected city’ for its next generation broadband. Companies including Cisco, Oracle and EMC (all of whom have bases in Manchester) are driving innovation in cloud computing.

These prosperous, leading-edge industries make up just some of the factors contributing to the region’s flourishing economy.

Massive, Growing Economy

Manchester has certainly come a long way from its roots as the world’s first industrialised city. With an influx of investment, regeneration and the development of enterprise zones has seen it grow to become the third largest metropolitan economy in the UK. Manchester generates a whopping gross value added (GVA) of £56 billion!

Part of the Northern Powerhouse, Manchester has firmly established itself now as England’s second city, and this is borne out by the numerous economic areas where it sits just behind London in the rankings. The city has built up the largest UK office market outside the capital. With a quarterly office uptake of approximately 250,000 square ft (averaged over 2010-2014), Manchester has an uptake that is equivalent to that of Liverpool, Newcastle and Leeds combined.

With so many large and prominent companies based in the city, it’s hardly surprising. The UK head offices of Adidas, The Co-Operative Group, Gazprom, Kelloggs, Laterooms.com and Thomas Cook can be found in the city. Japanese printer firm Brother has based their European headquarters in Manchester. Northshoring – the practice of moving or opening an office in Northern England to avoid some of the expense of London and the south – accounts for companies such as Google, BBC, Siemens, Barclays, AstraZeneca, Guardian Media Group, RBS, Network Rail having offices in the city.

As you can see, there is a wide variety of industries represented in the region. These include media, digital and creative financial, legal and business services, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, environmental technologies and real estate. Tourism is another big industry for the city, with Manchester being the second-most visited city in England, behind London. It is also second to London in the number of multi-millionaires who call the region home.

Manchester is also a hub for bright young people. Students flock to the city to attend two of the country’s top universities, Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music. Their combined intakes have produced a student population of over 75,000 in the city. Their campuses form Europe’s largest urban higher education precinct, with all three being based around Oxford Road, on the southern side of the city centre.

These students are attracted to the city because of its unique combination of culture, nightlife, sport and fantastic job prospects, as well as providing a lower cost of living than in London and much of the South of England. This can be seen particularly in the affordable house prices you’ll find in Manchester.

High Liveability, Affordable Housing

With ample employment opportunities offering competitive salaries and a low cost of living, Manchester is an enticing prospect. This combines with a good level of personal disposable income and plenty of cultural and entertainment options, making the city one of the world’s 50 most liveable cities in 2014, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. In fact, Manchester came ahead of London, New York and Rome!

There’s a buzz about Manchester. And whether you want to be surrounded by the urban chic of the city or the beautiful rurality of the nearby Pennines and Peak district, there’s something for everyone.

And if you want to see all this for yourself, you’ll find Manchester an easy place to travel to.
The region can easily be reached by road, with motorways including the M56, M60, M61, M62, M66 and M67, providing access from all areas of the country. The city has two major mainline railway stations, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria. Routes into these stations take passengers all across the North, and direct to destinations including Glasgow, Southampton, Birmingham and London.

These services will be improved further with the creation of HS2 – the high speed trainline will call at Manchester Piccadilly, reducing journey times between London and Manchester from just over 2 hours to 1h:08m. There are also a variety of intercity services, complemented by the city’s tramline.

If you’re coming from outside the UK, Manchester Airport has you covered. The UK’s third biggest airport offers international flights around the globe and is one of only 17 airports in the world to operate the Airbus A380 flights – the only other UK airport that does is London Heathrow.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s the canal. A major source of goods during the industrial revolution, the canal still provides an important part of Manchester’s infrastructure today. Though they are now more often used for leisure purposes, plans have been approved to introduce a water taxi service between MediaCityUK at Salford Quays and Manchester city centre.

You would think such a great place to live would come at a high price. But when it comes to Manchester, housing prices are surprisingly fairly low. Whilst the national average house price for the country is now over £211,000, prices in Manchester and Salford remain well below that. And this is despite the significant price rises they have seen recently, offering a good amount of capital growth to both prospective homeowners and investors alike.

Want to learn more about the other types of investments available in Manchester then why not check out our Guide to Investing in Student Property in Manchester. Alternatively, if you already know what you are looking for then why not jump straight to our available property investments in Manchester.

With a thriving economy, blossoming cultural scene and the perfect mix of city and country living, Bradford has a lot to offer. Such huge potential is a big draw for investors, and is sure to further Bradford’s growing reputation as an investment hotspot. Here are just some of the reasons Bradford is attracting so much interest in 2016.

Great lifestyle

Located close to the Yorkshire Dales, the city of Bradford offers residents a fantastic combination of rural and urban living. The city is surrounded by pretty and historic villages such as Haworth, famous for being the home of the Brontë sisters, and Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whilst the city itself is home to the picturesque Little Germany area, which showcases some of the most impressive architecture in the city, a legacy of the influx of German textile traders in the 1800s.

With a mix of families, cosmopolitan workers and university students, a population of 522,000 call the Bradford city region home. It’s a vibrant hub for younger people, providing an array of nightlife,  as well as cultural and social experiences galore. Residents and visitors can spend an afternoon cheering on League One side Bradford City AFC or browsing around the latest exhibition at the Impressions Gallery.

Now you can even indulge in some serious retail therapy at Westfield’s latest offering, the impressive Broadway Shopping Centre, before heading out to the city’s wide-ranging restaurants, bars and clubs.

Thriving Culture

For a city entrenched in such an industrial history, Bradford also has a thriving cultural scene. Bradford is home to the National Media Museum, the UK’s first IMAX cinema and the star-studded annual Bradford International Film Festival. It’s even featured as the backdrop of numerous films, giving Bradford the title of UNESCO’s first City of Film back in 2009.

With one of the north’s premier theatre venues, the stunning Alhambra Theatre, the city also plays host to a range of theatre and live performances. From touring West End shows to comedy gigs, and ballet to music concerts. There is also a range of art galleries and museums in the area too for those that like the slower paced cultural activities.

If a good beer is your thing, the region has 96 microbreweries, the highest concentration in the country. And then there’s the food! The varieties of cuisines and restaurants that can be found in Bradford include the Michelin starred French restaurant Box Tree. The city also boasts the title of the UK’s Curry Capital and has done so for the last five years!

Well Connected

Thinking of heading to Bradford to take a look for yourself? Not a problem, the city has an abundance of transport links via road, rail and air.

Bradford is served by a highly-developed road infrastructure, linking to the M1, M62 and A1 (M) motorways. By rail, you can get to Leeds in just 20 minutes, Manchester in an hour, London in two. And with planned upgrades to the Northern Rail network there will be an extra 2000 train services each week by 2019.

But if you’re coming from a little further afield, you could fly into Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA), just 6 miles from the city centre! The airport underwent a major expansion in 2012, including the opening of an exclusive business lounge. It currently handles over 4 million passengers a year, flying to a wide range of European destinations and also offers three daily flights to Heathrow’s T5 – where you can connect to flights across the globe.

Economic Growth

The ‘Producer City’, as Bradford is known, has a long industrial history and is centre for manufacturing, which has helped the city region build an economy worth £8.3 billion – the 8th largest in England! In fact, since 2008 economic growth has outstripped regional and national averages.

The city is home to a number of the UK’s leading companies, such as Hallmark Cards and Morrison Supermarkets. Bradford has also recently launched a £35 million initiative to support new enterprises and grow existing businesses, called the City Centre Growth Zone.

Another boost to the local economy is the £37 million broadband improvement scheme aptly named Superfast West Yorkshire. Currently in phase 2 of delivery and due to complete by end of 2018, this project will provide fibre optic superfast broadband to >98% of the region! This will give thousands of homes and businesses in Bradford access to faster broadband, which is sure to improve productivity and help drive economic growth even further.

Property Prices

Bradford’s Little Germany postcode is even one of the UK’s top 5 destinations for buy-to-let and currently offers twice the UK average for capital appreciation on property prices. In fact, in the past 12 months property prices in Bradford have risen by over 9%, according to statistics from Rightmove.

On top of that, it’s one of the most affordable places to purchase a property in the UK. Research from job site Adzuna.co.uk shows that for first-time buyers on average local incomes, 72% of homes in Bradford are within their reach financially.

With the growing development of the Northern Powerhouse, the city looks set for a continued period of growth, making now a great time to consider investing in Bradford.

If you like this article, then you might want to check out our 14 Reasons We Love Bradford as well.

Manchester, how can you not love it. Situated in the northwest of England, it’s the second largest city in the UK after London. It’s too obvious to even mention that it is the world’s football Mecca, but football certainly isn’t the only thing that makes Manchester so great!

Manchester is a birthplace to many great things we love. Home to the world famous ‘Curry Mile’ and the rock group Oasis, even the world’s first ever computer was put together here. The city is enriched in proud history and thriving culture that has so much to offer for everyone. I mean, let’s face it… where would we be today without the computer?!

So, we thought we’d share with you these 13 impressive facts about Manchester that you might not have known before. Here goes…

1. Manchester is the World’s first industrial city with a rich industrial heritage nicknamed as ‘Cottonopolis’ during the 19th century.

2. World’s first passenger train station was founded in Manchester in 1830. Actually, It was the first railway to rely exclusively on steam power, with no horse-drawn traffic permitted at any time; the first to be entirely double track throughout its length; the first to have a signalling system; the first to be fully timetabled; the first to be powered entirely by its own motive power; and the first to carry mail. Phew, that’s a lot of firsts!

3. Gave the world a real science breakthrough, helping shape the world we live in today: Here, the atom was ‘split’ for the first time ever by Ernest Rutherford and the first ever modern computer – known as the ‘baby’ – was also built. And did you know this first ever commercial computer had a memory of 32 words? Awww.

4. With a population of 2.5 million, Manchester is the most linguistically diverse city in Western Europe with 200 spoken languages.

5. Has the World famous ‘Curry Mile’. Within a length of half a mile you can find over 70 South Asian cuisine restaurants one next to the other. It’s thought to be the largest concentration of South Asian restaurants outside the Indian subcontinent! *drool*

6. It has been voted ‘The best city to live in the UK’ in 2013 and is 51st in the world (Global Liveability Survey).

7. Manchester has the largest student population of any city in Europe, home to over 100,000 students.

8. 25 Nobel Prize winners have worked or studied at The University of Manchester, one of the biggest universities in the UK.

9. Manchester airport is the largest and busiest airport outside of London. It is the third busiest in the UK handling over 22 million passengers to over 200 destinations worldwide a year.

10. In 2013 the house prices in Manchester soared by 21 percent in a year, which is the fastest rate in the whole of the UK, even topping London! (Nationwide house price index)

11. It is the football capital of the world. Manchester is home to four premiership football teams including Manchester United and Manchester City. In 2013 the sport has brought in a whopping £330m worth of economic benefit to the region.

12. It is well known for its music scene: the world famous Halle Orchestra and many rock groups including Joy Division and Oasis are from here.

13. The first ever free public library, Chetham’s Library, opened here in 1653 and has been open ever since. Standing as the oldest public library in the English-speaking world, it holds over 100,000 volumes of printed books.

And in the city where Rolls met Royce does it really comes as a surprise that the first ever ‘Car-puccino’ took its trip from London to Manchester in 2010? Yes, you read that right, a car that was fuelled by coffee grounds, 11,000 espresso equivalents to be precise.

There’s just something about Manchester that’s indescribable. It’s the general buzz, the atmosphere and the vibe. So much so that we might just have to take a trip up this year for Manchester Day and spend an entire day taking in all the Mancunian pride that it has to offer.

If you liked this post then we think you might also like this similar post about on Liverpool, 11 Facts About Liverpool.