The Barbican sits within Plymouth's St Peter and the Waterfront neighbourhood, putting you right in the heart of the city's historic core. You'll find dozens of restaurants, bars and shops on your doorstep, along with strong GP, dentist and hospital provision close by. Flats dominate the property market here, priced around £183,000, and the area suits commuters and remote workers well, with nearly a quarter of residents working from home and good bus, ferry and road links into the centre. Schools rated Good sit within easy reach, crime is falling year on year, and low pollution levels make this one of the more pleasant spots for outdoor city living. Beyond the immediate waterfront, the surrounding neighbourhoods each bring their own character while sharing some common threads: falling crime rates, below-average living costs, and decent school options feature across the board. Stoke and Sutton and Mount Gould offer more affordable terraced housing (from around £213,000 to £235,000) alongside strong GP coverage and good local amenities, making them solid choices for first-time buyers. Efford and Lipson follows a similar pattern, with affordable terraces and semis, an Outstanding-rated primary school, and a coastal climate that brings mild winters and good air quality. Further out, Compton and Peverell represent the more settled, family-oriented end of the spectrum, with well-regarded schools, lower crime and strong green space, though house prices run higher here and car ownership helps given more limited public transport. Drake, by contrast, has its own railway station and a large student population, making it better value for renters and those prioritising transport links over a quieter setting. Across the whole area, you'll find a clear trade-off between the bustle and premium of waterfront city living and the better-value, family-friendly options a short distance inland.