Jobs in Plymouth | Pictures of Plymouth

Nestled on the south west coast of England in an area of outstanding natural beauty lies the ‘ Waterfront City ', Plymouth . Home to around 250,000 people – making it the 15th most populous city in England – Plymouth has been voted the best place to live in the country and continues to attract a growing number of professionals and students alike, lured by its cosmopolitan and thriving community coupled with its enviable coastal location that is a beehive for sports enthusiasts.

Post-war reconstruction showed little respect to Plymouth 's rich heritage with a concoction of functional concrete structures. But all of that is changing and these building are either being improved or simply done-away-with so as to create an environment that befits its surroundings.

Getting around Plymouth
Plymouth is accessed via the A38 Devon Expressway which links to the motorway network at Exeter (M5) to the east and via the Tamar Bridge from the west of the city which is prone to traffic problems during the morning rush-hour. But talk to anyone who has been making this daily commute and they will tell you just how frustrating the traffic can be – and it's even busier in the evening rush-hour. Best advice would be to take advantage of the Park & Ride services that set off from Milehouse, Coypool (Plympton) and George Junction ( Plymouth City Airport ) or opt for the public transport system which has earned Plymouth the accolade as having the lowest commuter times in Britain at just 15 minutes each way.

Plymouth 's buses are operated from all local and regional areas and primarily operated by Plymouth Citybus First Group and Target Travel, taking you into the city centre at Bretonside.

Frustratingly, the main train station is over a mile to the north of the city but it does have a direct bus service into the centre. The station connects the city centre with the nearby suburbs of Mutley, Wingfield Villas and Devonport and Keyham, along with national connections.

Eating, drinking and shopping in Plymouth
Big enough to make you feel that you are living in a cosmopolitan city, yet small enough to avoid feeling anonymous, Plymouth has all the high street shops, bars, cafes, clubs and restaurants that you expect from a modern city.

The city's modern pedestrianised centre and the new Drake Circus shopping centre are home to over 500 shops offering all the usual high street names. In contrast, the narrow Elizabethan streets that characterise the Barbican area - one of the oldest parts of Plymouth – house a plethora of independent, quirky shops, at galleries and café bars.

Indeed, the Barbican area which runs along the quayside is where all the best pubs and restaurants can be found. And being a maritime city, Plymouth has a rich tradition of serving locally produced food, with a number of enviable seafood restaurants and bistros.

And if you are looking to stay out long after the pubs have closed for the night, then stay in the same area of the city where you'll find the city's main concentration of nightclubs offering everything from pub chains and café bars, to jazz, soul and drum ‘n bass.

Plymouth also has a rapidly developing music and comedy scene, with many acts performing in the Plymouth Pavilions, a multi-million pound venue attracting a number of live comedy and music tours. Whereas the Theatre Royal, Drum Theatre and Barbican Theatre offer an eclectic mix of fringe plays, dance, exhibitions and touring productions.

Against this backdrop is the city's comprehensive art scene, with a large cinema and a new 15-screen multiplex, plus an arts centre.

But of you fancy being a tourist for the day or simply want somewhere to while-away a few hours before your next meeting, take a wander around the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, The Royal Citadel, Plymouth Dome or Plymouth Hoe and the Mayflower steps – all are worth a visit.

Being on the coast and located smack bang on the border of Devon and Cornwall , its goes without saying that Plymouth is a major centre for sports – especially those that involve donning a wetsuit. Windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and diving are just some of the water sports on offer. Or if water isn't quite your thing, the city and surrounding area has a good choice of golf courses and other sports facilities.

Bur for armchair fans, there are two professional sports teams - Plymouth Argyle football club and Plymouth Albion rugby union club, both of which play in their respective sports' second tier.

Main residential areas
Whether you are looking to rent or buy, Plymouth has plenty of options for everyone. Located on the south west peninsula, famed for its maritime lifestyle, it is hardly surprising that much of the city's redevelopment is focused on providing a range of redeveloped and newly built homes around the waterfront and the old naval yards.

Elsewhere, the city centre and the western end of The Hoe are popular property spots for those looking for city living in an apartment, studio or penthouse. But be mindful that prices err on the steep side with a two-bed flat likely to set you back a cool £225,000.

The pick of the out-of-town residential areas are Mill Bridge , Stoke and Stonehouse which are easily accessible to the city centre, and a little more affordable too.

And for twentysomethings looking for a place to rent in a cosmopolitan setting, then head to Barbican, Lipson, Mount Gould , Mutley, Prince Rock and St. Judes.

Alternatively, if money is no object, Efford, Hartley, Laira, Mannamead, Milehouse, Peverell and Higher Compton are arguably home to Plymouth's ‘Kensington set'. Largely rural, property in these areas is typically made up of traditional - and some purpose-built - large detached four bedroom houses.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Plymouth.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Plymouth below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Plymouth or find out more information on the local area.