Is Worcester a nice place to live?

Is Worcester a nice place to live or is Worcester a bit rough? For us there are a number of factors that make any town a nice place to live, like a low crime rate, low levels of deprivation, the good health of the residents, rent affordability and excellent wages. In this article we will see if Worcester meets our criteria.

How likely are you to a victim of crime in Worcester?

The English Indices of Deprivation has a crime element for Worcester. They are a measure of how likely you are to be a victim of personal or material crime in an area, such as muggings or burglary. Naturally rural areas have less crime than urban areas, but for this part of our town assessment we've looked at the 10 wards nearest to the centre of Worcester. To pass this section, 8 out of 10 of these wards need to be above the English national average rank of 16422.5

#	Ward	Crime Rank
1	St Clement	26118
2	Battenhall	22501
3	Bedwardine	22157
4	St Stephen	16856
5	Nunnery	14998
6	St John	12654
7	Arboretum	10367
8	Rainbow Hill	6883
9	Cathedral	6029
10	Gorse Hill	4548

Is Worcester a healthy place to live?

If you are thinking of moving to Worcester, you want to know if the place is likely to put you on a downward spiral of ill health. For this section of the town assessment, we've examined government health statistics from the 2021 Census General Health question and the Indices of Multiple Deprivation's health element.The table below shows what percentage of Worcester residents answered saying their health was either bad or very bad. To pass this section, the local authority has to have a percentage score less than or equal to 7%.

Local Authority	%
Wychavon	4.61
Worcester (Worcester)	4.8
Malvern Hills	5.02
Wyre Forest	6.14

The English Indices of Deprivation also has health statistics for Worcester. They measures the risk of premature death and the impairment of quality of life through poor physical or mental health, lovely! We've collated an average LSOA rank for 10 wards nearest to the centre of Worcester. To pass this section, 8 out of 10 of these wards need to be above the English national average rank of 16422.5.

#	Ward	Health Rank
1	Battenhall (Best)	22937
2	Bedwardine	22120
3	St Clement	18346
4	St Stephen	17268
5	Arboretum	16650
6	St John	14981
7	Nunnery	13237
8	Cathedral	10195
9	Gorse Hill	6457
10	Rainbow Hill (Worst)	6436

Is Worcester rough?

Using the English Indices of Deprivation statistics, we've collated the average rank for 10 wards in and around Worcester. In layman's terms, this is how rough the ward is based on mutiple measures of deprivation including; employment, income, health, crime, housing and outside space. To pass this section as the town assessment, 8 out of 10 wards must have a ranking higher than the English average of 16422.5

#	Ward	Deprivation Rank
1	Battenhall	24106
2	St Clement	23832
3	Bedwardine	23108
4	St Stephen	19534
5	Arboretum	14509
6	Nunnery	13784
7	St John	13621
8	Cathedral	9701
9	Rainbow Hill	6154
10	Gorse Hill	4850

How affordable are the rents in Worcester?

Every six months the Office for National statitics publishes a snapshot of rental costs. These market rental statistics are dated September 2023. We have used the median rental figure for this assessment as we believe this is a more realistic figure than the average (mean) that can be skewed by artificially low and high rents. To pass this section, Worcester rents for each size property have to be less than 5% more than the median rent for Worcestershire.

Beds	Worcester	Worcestershire
1	£575	£525
2	£713	£675
3	£850	£795
4	£1000	£1100

How much can I earn in Worcester per week?

If you are thinking of moving to Worcester, you'll want to know how much you can earn in a job in the town. Every year the government publishes statistics on gross weekly pay, these figures are for September 2023. To pass this section Worcester's local authority needs to be in first or second place compared to the three nearest local authorities.

#	Local Authority	Median Pw
1	Malvern Hills	£736.00
2	Worcester (Worcester)	£681.20
3	Wychavon	£631.10
4	Wyre Forest	£594.10

Statistics are not the be all and end all of a city. Has Worcester got great leisure facilities? Let’s find out.

What parks and open spaces does Worcester have?

Worcester offers a range of open spaces, including parks and country parks. These areas provide opportunities for outdoor activities like walking, cycling, and picnicking. Popular choices include Worcester Woods Country Park, a vast expanse with diverse landscapes, and Cripplegate Park, a central urban park with sports facilities and green spaces. These open areas contribute to Worcester’s quality of life, offering residents and visitors alike places to relax, exercise, and connect with nature.

Open Spaces in Worcester:

• Worcester Woods Country Park: This 1,000-acre park is the largest open space in Worcester and offers a variety of activities, including walking, cycling, fishing, and birdwatching. The park also has a café, playground, and picnic area. It is located about 3 miles from the city center.
• Cripplegate Park: This 140-acre park is located in the heart of Worcester and offers a variety of facilities, including tennis courts, football pitches, basketball courts, and a playground. The park also has a café and a boating lake. It is located about 1 mile from the city center.

Fort Royal Park: This 22-acre park is located on a hill overlooking the city and offers panoramic views of Worcester. The park also has a café, a playground, and a bandstand. It is located about 1 mile from the city center.

Gheluvelt Park: This 20-acre park is located in the south of Worcester and offers a variety of facilities, including tennis courts, football pitches, basketball courts, and a playground. The park also has a café and a boating lake. It is located about 2 miles from the city center.

Perdiswell Park: This 16-acre park is located in the north of Worcester and offers a variety of facilities, including tennis courts, football pitches, basketball courts, and a playground. The park also has a café and a boating lake. It is located about 2 miles from the city center.

Riverside Park: This 10-acre park is located on the banks of the River Severn and offers a variety of facilities, including a playground, a picnic area, and a boat launch. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including swans, ducks, and geese. It is located about 1 mile from the city center.

Westbury Street Community Gardens: This 2-acre park is located in the city center and offers a variety of community activities, including gardening, composting, and recycling. The park also has a playground and a picnic area. It is located about 1 mile from the city center.

Blackstone Picnic Place: This 1-acre park is located on the banks of the River Severn and offers a picnic area with views of the river. It is located about 2 miles from the city center.

Fish Hill Picnic Place: This 1-acre park is located on a hilltop and offers panoramic views of the city. It is located about 2 miles from the city center.

Forhill Picnic Place: This 1-acre park is located on the banks of the River Severn and offers a picnic area with views of the river. It is located about 2 miles from the city center.

Does Worcester have any decent Cinemas and Theatres?

Worcester offers a somewhat diverse range of cinematic and theatres. From independent cinemas showcasing arthouse films to grand theatres hosting West End productions, there’s something for mainly middle class tastes. While there’s no large chain cinemas directly in Worcester city centre, several independent cinemas and theatres provide a more unique experience.

• The Swan Theatre

  A professional theatre company presenting a variety of plays, musicals, and other performances.

• Hennessy Theatre

  A versatile venue hosting a range of performances, including theatre, comedy, and music.

• The Hive

  A cultural hub featuring a cinema, art gallery, and library. The cinema screens a mix of mainstream and independent films.

• The Norbury Theatre

  A community theatre offering amateur productions and workshops.

• The Worcester Arts Workshop

  A small theatre and arts centre, showcasing local talent and experimental performances.

• The Worcester Playhouse

  A community theatre producing a range of plays and musicals.

While Worcester doesn’t have a large chain cinema within its city limits. The nearest one, Cineworld in Redditch, is approximately 15 miles away. This is the cinema if you want to see Hollywood blockbusters.

For the size of the city, Worcester doesn’t have that many theatres and no big cinema, for that reason…

Where can you go shopping in Worcester?

Worcester in Worcestershire offers a great range of shopping spots, centered around its high street and Crowngate Shopping Centre. With both well-known brands and unique, independent shops, Worcester has something for everyone, from fashion and electronics to dining options. For more shopping, nearby towns like Malvern and Droitwich Spa add variety. Malvern, about 8 miles away, is known for its quaint high street with local shops and cafes, giving it a small-town feel. Droitwich Spa, around 7 miles from Worcester, is more compact, with a handful of high-street stores and essential shops. Compared to these towns, Worcester offers a wider selection, appealing to a broader audience and providing more choice.

Shopping Areas Within a 10-Mile Radius of Worcester:

• Worcester High Street – Mix of high-street brands, local boutiques, cafes, and eateries.
• Crowngate Shopping Centre (Worcester) – Indoor mall with fashion stores, electronics, books, and food spots.
• Reindeer Court (Worcester) – Small arcade with unique boutiques, gift shops, and coffee stops.
• St. Martin’s Quarter (Worcester) – Retail area with supermarkets, discount shops, and a fitness center.
• The Shambles (Worcester) – Historic shopping street with independent shops, markets, and food stalls.
• Shrub Hill Retail Park (Worcester) – Offers home goods, furniture shops, and a large supermarket.
• Blackpole Retail Park (Worcester) – Large chains, electronics, and fast-food outlets.
• Elgar Retail Park (Worcester) – Includes furniture stores, car dealers, and major chain stores.
• Malvern High Street – Local shops, artisan stores, cafes, and a few popular brands.
• Droitwich Spa High Street – Compact shopping area with essential stores, cafes, and local businesses.
• Royal Porcelain Works (Worcester) – Shopping and arts venue with boutique shops and craft stores.
• Foregate Street (Worcester) – Central street with fashion outlets, coffee shops, and specialty stores.

There seems to be a a good range of shops available in Worcester and in short trip away and for that reason…

Does Worcester have good travel links?

Worcester’s got some great transport links, making it pretty easy to get around locally or head further afield. There are two main train stations, quick access to the motorway, and loads of local buses. Plus, there are some good cycle paths if you prefer biking. Here’s a quick look at the main options:

Transport Links in Worcester

• Worcester Foregate Street Station – Right in the city center, with trains to Birmingham, Hereford, and London.
• Worcester Shrub Hill Station – Just outside the center, with routes to London Paddington, Bristol, and Birmingham.
• Nearest Motorway (M5 Junction 6) – Close access to the M5 for heading to Birmingham, the southwest, and other areas.
• Worcester Bus Station – Main bus hub with routes to local spots and nearby towns.
• Nearest International Airport (Birmingham Airport) – About 32 miles away; takes around 45 minutes by car via the M5 and M42.
• Cycling Paths – Plenty of bike lanes across Worcester, great for short trips and seeing the town.

Travel Distances to Nearby Towns for Commuting

Worcester’s close to some bigger towns, though commute times can vary in morning traffic. Cheltenham is about 26 miles away, taking around 45 minutes by car. Birmingham is 30 miles away, usually around an hour’s drive. Gloucester is 28 miles away, but morning traffic can make it a 55-minute trip, making it the slowest going during rush hour.

It looks like if you’re trying to get around or even leave Worcester, it has some decent transport links and for that reason…

So, Is Worcester a nice place to live?

Lets get down to brass tracks. Worcester is very much a city of two halves. You’re more likely to be a victim of personal crime in half the city than the average location in England. This is also reflected in the levels of deprivation with half the city more deprived than the average place in the country.

The wages you can expect to earn in the city are higher than a lot of Worcestershire, but so are the rents, that cancel that plus out. The leisure amenities leave a bit to be desired from a city of its size, but it has reasonable transport links to look elsewhere.

The city’s saving grace is it’s open spaces. However, this is doesn’t redeem Worcester in our opinion.

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