Manchester/Salford - Where’s nice to live?

[Notopel]

Currently pondering a job offer for a role that I really want to take - challenging, great salary and public sector, but it would involve relocating (when practical in terms of corona virus) to commuting distance of Salford.

Having difficulty imagining what it would be like, where to live, what primary schools etc.

Does anyone else work in Salford and mind telling me what areas they would recommend?

I used to work in Salford. First rented in Sale for a while then Fallowfield. I did enjoy both although Fallowfield was full of students so didn't stay there long because of this. Commute wasn't too bad by car. I suspect it d take ages by bus though. Lots of colleagues lived in Withington. Further afield Didsbury and Cheadle were popular but expensive.

Urmston, Monton, Worsley, South Swinton, Sale, Prestwich, Whitefield, Chorlton and Eccles are all areas I'd live (I do live in one of them!). Bits of Eccles can be dodgy but the closer to Monton the better on the whole.

I work for in Salford Quays - Commute from Urmston by car is 15-20 mins by car in the morning, 30 mins in the evening. Other than Christmas (having to go past Trafford Centre) its very easy to get home to after school club pick up etc.

Urmston is a lovely area, we're so happy here. Unpretentious (as stated above), leafy, nice parks, a centre with Sainsburys/Aldi, Library, plus a few discount shops for bargains! A great area for families, it has everything from dance schools, brand new leisure centre, sports clubs, plus all general facilities.

Primary schools in the area are excellent. Trafford council is renowned for schooling, but Altrincham/Sale are much more expensive. Urmston is generally cheaper as it's not on the tram line, but not a problem if you're driving to Salford Quays. Trafford Park line has just opened (a 5-10 min drive away from Urmston), so park and ride again will be an option to Salford Quays. I won't be doing this, much quicker to drive straight there rather than waiting around for a tram.

There is generally very little dodgy housing/areas in Urmston, just the odd small estate here/there. If you look on Rightmove, 90% of anything in Urmston/Davyhulme/Flixton would all be great.

I work for a large organisation in Salford Quays, so know people who commute from all sorts of areas. Places like Glossop, Marple, Disley would be a nightmare as a single parent. Even places like Prestwich are a pain, I know people coming in by tram and changing at Cornbrook interchange; that part of the journey to the Quays takes ages. Fine without kids, not so much if you're chasing to get back to school.

If you're on your own, I'd really be looking at being able to drive easily. Other areas that are doable, and that I know parents commute from are Sale, Monton, Stretford, Chorlton.

Happy for you to DM me if you wanted more information. I've lived in the area 15 years (Trafford/Salford) so know it really well.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I’ve had a good look on RightMove and have a much better idea now about the different type of areas. Glad I asked about whether Glossop would be doable as on paper it looks fine, but obviously hideously unpractical in actuality.

Would he be a huge change culturally as I currently live in a very rural location. Beautiful but challenging in terms of work availability. The other job on offer is more local, I could stay here but there would be a commute with a 20 minute drive into town and then an hour train journey. Probably an option to work from home approx 2 days a week though.

Salford Quays role - would be driving in, I think. Massive organisation and a trendy new building. The suggestions of Eccles etc would be perfect in terms of commute time to/from work, home, school, childcare.

I’ve got the weekend to think about it. I’ll continue having a look at some of the suggestions. Really has helped as I’ve never even been to Manchester before, and due to Covid didn’t even get to visit for interviews.

There are some nicer bits of Eccles but Monton and Ellesmere park are even nicer.

@Notopel

Would really recommend you visit the areas of Eccles first.

Monton, Boothstown, Worsley, and parts of Winton are the only ones I'd consider.

You won't get anything rural unless you go up to North Bolton or North Bury. Both are commutable but not as handy as somewhere like Urmston especially if you are time pressured for kids.

Although I don't live in Salford I know the areas very well and really would look round as best you can x

Agree with @bookish83 you need to visit Eccles before committing to live there. I lived there pre kids in a new build and was so glad we got out before my son was born. Monton would be alright, but Eccles is really run down and rough. It got worse not better in the time we lived there too. No offence to anyone who lives there currently, but I lived there for 7 years, so know it well.

Eccles and Urmston are 10 mins max by car, but night and day in terms of area.

Ellesmere Park is in Eccles and isn't run down and rough. But I agree, you need to have a look around.

@wowfudge Agree Ellesmere Park is ok, I was generally referring to Eccles. The centre is very run down and you really wouldn't want to be walking around there in the evening.

Hale

Bingo!

Eccles is less run down now than it was some years ago however I agree that Monton/Ellesmere Park is. nicer

The area around Lightoaks Park is quite nice too and St John's is a good Primary School.

We live in Didsbury and love it. There is a great community feeling. Access to Salford via the tram.

Another vote for Urmston, great schools, shops, restaurants, community, transport links, etc. Lived here all my life and I love it

Didsbury to Salford Quays could be a pain of a commute