What is it like to live in Worcester? Locals share opinions

However, to some the city is not without its problems from rush hour congestion on the roads to crime including issues with drugs and antisocial teenagers, seagulls and 'too many coffee shops'.

Now we have asked readers what living in Worcester is really like, not as a place to visit but as somewhere to live, work and raise a family - with some saying it has suffered in the last few years and is not the city they remember.

HISTORY: Friar Street in Worcester is famous for its timber-framed buildings like Greyfriars (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Many visitors to Worcester might be bowled over by its beautiful, historic buildings like Worcester Cathedral, the Commandery and the Guildhall or its many events like Worcester Show, the Worcester City Run or the Victorian Christmas Fayre. 

Certainly, to a casual observer, the city has much to recommend it with its picturesque riverside walks, improvements to the city centre thanks to the Future High Fund.

For a city Worcester is blessed with much green space from Worcester Racecourse to abundant parks like Gheluvelt and Cripplegate and children's play parks, which are particularly abundant, sometimes tucked away, in parts of Warndon Villages and St Peter's.

DIVERSE: Worcester Mela at Worcester Show showing the rich South Asian culture and musical traditions of the city (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Meanwhile, new bridges like Kepax Bridge in Gheluvelt Park in Barbourne mean communities either side of the river Severn are set to become more connected than ever before while it is well served by two railway stations at Foregate Street and Shrub Hill. 

Others are impressed by the finely preserved streets like Friar Street, its iconic cricket ground and wide range of pubs, bars and restaurants.

Some of the most positive comments about Worcester came from people who now live in the city but settled here from elsewhere in the UK, including from Scotland and northern England and other parts of the West Midlands region such as Wolverhampton.

STUNNING: Worcester was praised for being near beautiful countryside from the Malvern Hills (pictured here) to the Cotswolds (Image: Newsquest)

Worcester is a nice place to live compared to other cities

Indeed, Vance Parsons summed this up when he wrote: "If you have lived in other parts of the country you will probably appreciate how nice it is to live in Worcester."

Many felt one of Worcester's key advantages was its proximity to beautiful scenery and countryside, from the Malvern Hills to the Cotswolds. However, issues for some included 'traffic congestion', 'seagulls' and crime, including drugs.

Kelis Luchia Shentall wrote: "Lovely place to older people and people who don’t live here but for the younger generation it’s [rubbish], too many kids fighting and doing stupid stuff, too many dealers getting locked up and not enough wronguns getting locked up. Simple."

PUBS: Worcester was praised for its real and craft ales such as those served by Darren Yong at King Charles House in New Street (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Kathy Wilkinson wrote: "I’ve lived here 23 years now and love Worcester for its compact and convenient city centre, plus beautiful countryside on the doorstep.

"From Sheffield originally, then my first job was in Grimsby…wouldn’t want to live in either of those places now. Worcester is a lovely small city with a lot to enjoy, in my opinion."

CONGESTION: Traffic and roadworks were among the gripes of city residents (Image: Newsquest)

Lara McLeod Hunter wrote: "I'm from Scotland and I've lived in Kempsey for 20 years .My kids grew up here. Wouldn't move, it's a lovely place to live. I've been in London, Wuss is miles ahead in comfort levels."

No love for the gulls in Worcester

Mark Newman turned up the irony gauge when he said the city needed 'a few more charity shops, coffee shops, Turkish barbers and nail bars, please'.

He added: "Oh, and more seagulls, too."

"You can escape to Cheltenham and the Cotswolds for real England as it was 40 years ago," wrote Richard Stokes. 

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Marilyn Booth wrote: "Worcester is a nice place to live in. Yes it has its drawbacks (traffic congestion). The city centre that was once vibrant now sadly lacks retail shops but there are nice parks and gardens to enjoy and lots of historic places to visit and the people are generally nice and polite."

Chantelle Elizabeth Cain wrote: "Used to be a lovely city but with all these houses going up around the suburbs and outskirts it’s making it a congested, crime ridden, unpleasant place to live little cities are being ruined unfortunately."

Matthew Hood said: "I moved here from Gloucester and Gloucester makes Worcester look like Beverley Hills!"