Moving to West Cumbria for work: which town?

Most people who rent from us arrive for a job: a post at West Cumberland Hospital, a contract at Sellafield, a placement, or a new role at one of the engineering firms around Lillyhall. The first question is always the same: which town should I live in? Here's the honest answer, from a landlord who has houses in all three.

The short version

• Working at Sellafield and want the shortest commute? Egremont, about 10–15 minutes from the site.
• Working at West Cumberland Hospital, or want the most choice and the most going on? Whitehaven.
• Working at Lillyhall, Workington Community Hospital, or in the north of the area? Workington.

All three are on the Cumbrian coast, 20–40 minutes from the Lake District, and all three have our rooms from £145 a week with every bill included.

Whitehaven

A Georgian harbour town of around 23,000 people, with a marina, supermarkets, a cinema, cafés and the main shopping streets. West Cumberland Hospital is in Hensingham on the edge of town, and many of our tenants walk to work. Sellafield is about 25 minutes by car, or a direct train from Whitehaven or Corkickle. Whitehaven has our largest number of rooms, including town-centre apartments and short-stay suites. Rooms in Whitehaven

Egremont

A small market town with a ruined castle, a weekly market and a famous autumn Crab Fair. It's quieter than Whitehaven, with the essentials on Main Street and the bigger shops 15 minutes away. Its big advantage is the commute: Sellafield is just down the road. Our refurbished flats in the town centre are popular with contractors for exactly that reason. Rooms in Egremont

Workington

The largest town in the area, with the biggest shops, a leisure centre, a port and the Lillyhall industrial estate. Workington Community Hospital is here, and there's a direct train to Sellafield that takes about 40 minutes. Our rooms are a short walk from the town centre and the stations. Rooms in Workington

Getting around

A car makes life easiest, but it isn't essential. The Cumbrian Coast railway links all three towns with Sellafield, and buses run between the towns and to the hospital. Several of our houses have off-street parking; ask when you enquire.

What a room costs

Our double rooms start at £145 a week and ensuite rooms at £185 a week. That includes gas, electricity, water, council tax and Wi-Fi, a furnished room with fresh bedding, keypad entry, and weekly cleaning of the shared areas. There are no agency fees. Rooms and prices

Before you arrive

Message us with the town, your start date and roughly how long you'll stay. We'll send photos of the exact room, and if you're coming from a distance, a video. Gary, our local manager, will have the door code ready for the day you land.