Liverpool is a fab place for the kids, we go all the time as we are half an our away on the train. We always go in school hols, a few of us go with a gang of kids (13 between us)!! So many museums, most are free keep them entertained for hours, shopping is fab, great mix from your run of the mill high street shops to the upper end of the market. Can't get past Hollister shop with our lot!! Loads of lovely restaurants - really so much to do - its clean and safe. Don't hesitate you will have a great time!
My neighbour's girl was a student at Liverpool Uni, she won't live anywhere else now. Not sure I'd live there myself, as we are half an hour from Chester and 3/4 a hour from Manchester, so are well placed for all 3 cities, but if there's an opportunity I wouldn't pass it up on the basis of Liverpool's past reputation - its easy to commute to every area has its good and bad places. Wendee has certainly never been - or at least, not recently lol!