LIVING IN CARLISLE This chapter describes why people like living in Carlisle, including the close proximity to the countryside, the liveability of the city and the area’s strong community spirit. Generally, people feel that Carlisle is a friendly and safe place to live, and residents have pride in local history, the natural environment and say that Carlisle is a picturesque city. This chapter also reports the hard realities faced by some residents, including food and fuel poverty, rising rents, growing level of debt and limited access to services, particularly for those living in rural areas. There are also concerns regarding how financial pressures are adversely affecting people’s physical and mental wellbeing. • Great location: Carlisle occupies a good geographic position with excellent road and rail connectivity, including the M6 motorway. A principal train station on the West Coast Main Line means people can get to London in under three and a half hours and Glasgow in only an hour. • A growing university: The University of Cumbria focuses on innovative learning that prepares students for meaningful employment and is playing an active role in Carlisle’s wider regeneration. • Varied housing market: Carlisle has lower than average house prices with a good range of housing stock, and future growth needs anticipated by the St Cuthbert’s Garden Village development.1 • Rich heritage: Carlisle has a rich history which can be further celebrated and developed to aid tourism growth and local pride. • Good quality of life: Carlisle offers a good quality of life, is relatively safe to live in, with a positive community spirit, beautiful parks and an appealing natural environment. • A vibrant future: Through initiatives like Reimagining Carlisle there are exciting opportunities to engage in conversations about shaping a visionary future for the city OPPORTUNITIES We have got Project Tullie, the Victorian Turkish baths and Waverley Viaduct Trust who are wanting to reopen the viaduct to create a footpath and cycle route and maybe a garden in the sky, like in Castlefield [in Manchester], but with a nod to what used to happen there at the adjacent former railway yard. You’ve got Uncovering Roman Carlisle – a phenomenal community archaeology project. And the stories that are coming out – like the materials to make Tyrian purple dye – indicative of the clothing of an Emperor and the inscription to Empress Julia Domna, wife of Severus. We have over 2,000 years of history, but we sometimes don’t know which story we’re going to tell. You have got the Old Town Hall built in the 1600s; the Guildhall built in the late 1300s to early 1400s. There’s a lot of history around that people just walk past and don’t even look at. Heritage Sector Trustee • Indicators of poverty: Coming off the back of the cost-of-living crisis, an increasing number of people are facing food and fuel poverty, including a growing number who are working but still struggling to make ends meet. • Concerning behaviours: There are growing instances of people turning to debt and gambling to solve their financial difficulties. • City appeal: There is a strong demand from residents for a better arts and cultural offer in Carlisle’s city centre to appeal to both visitors and residents. • Access to services: Rural areas face distinct challenges notably relating to transport which affects access to services such as GPs, hospitals, places of work and education. • Changing climate: Three major flooding events in 20 years mean that the people of Carlisle are familiar with the devastating effects of climate change. The need to limit global warming whilst mitigating its devastating effects, present a constant challenge for Carlisle. CHALLENGES Our recent survey asked respondents to imagine the future and reflect on the changes they would like to see in Carlisle district in five years’ time. Of the 800 answers given in 396 responses, a thriving town centre, better and a wider range of shops and fewer empty shops / premises was a key theme to emerge. Housing HOUSE PRICE DIFFERENCES The average house price in Cumberland in February 2025 was £166,000, up 6% from October 2023 (compared to an average of £212,000 in the Northwest and £257,000 across Great Britain).2 Average house prices for Carlisle are almost identical to Cumberland as a whole, with an average sale price of £165,761 over the last year. The majority of sales in Carlisle during the last year were terraced properties at £131,326, with semi-detached properties selling for an average price of £169,234 and detached properties £274,862.3 There are variations across Carlisle. A terraced property in Longtown was recently advertised at £74,900 whilst a similar property in Brampton was for sale at £125,000. HOUSING RENTAL PRICES The average monthly private rent in Cumberland was £614 in March 2025, an increase of 8% from £568 in March 2024. This is lower than the average for the Northwest (£822) and Great Britain (£1,247).4 Of Carlisle households, 17.6% rented privately in 2021, up from 14.3% in 2011.5 Carlisle: Opportunities & Challenges 2025 30 31
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