Ares to buy a house in Manchester help please!

[Flower2047]

Looking to buy first home as a single person in Manchester. Want to stay relatively central. Budget about 200k. Want a garden. Crime is a high priority. Suggesting please for areas to go for and areas to avoid. Thanks!

Didsbury or Chorlton are probably the best places to live, but property there is pricey. Maybe look at Levenshulme. Ancoats is very trendy, but again pricey. Unless you could look at flats? I would avoid Longsight, although I grew up there. And probably not Hulme or Moss Side.

Chorlton green is lovely

Didsbury is nice but you'd be looking at a flat for 200k I'd say.

These suggestions are insane at this budget.

You might get a two bed house in Withington, Gorse Hill or Sale Moor/ wrong side of timperley / brooklands for 200k. I don’t know north Manchester but I am aware there are okay areas that are cheaper than south and there are loads of new builds in areas previously on people’s avoid lists (some just outside Ancoats) which will be bought by people like you and become nice.

Chorlton has a reputation for high burglary rates (although that's a moot point with £200k). Maybe Stretford, Prestwich, Monton

Levenshulme still surprisingly affordable and lots going on but not low crime. The expensive areas have problems with crime too though - how central do you want to be?

The Heatons, although technically in Stockport are only 20 mins south of the city centre. It's where everyone moved to when Didsbury became too expensive. You won't get anything for your budget in Heaton Moor / Mersey but might in Heaton Norris or possibly Heaton Chapel. Possibly parts of Withington or Northenden.

Agree with @SwayingInTime, I think these suggestions are a little ambitious for that budget.

Even Monton is upwards of £250k. There are lots of pockets of Salford and north Manchester that are really lovely.

If you want central, you are looking at a flat with that budget.

Would recommend widening your search radius a little

I agree with all the above, for that budget with a garden in an ok area and central you’ll likely be looking at a ground floor flat not a house. Look at Stretford, Northenden, Withington, Levenshulme, Whalley Range (Chorlton end). Personally I’d avoid the east side if you’re new to town. Some parts of Salford (west side) are pretty nice but I don’t know it well enough to distinguish which.. good luck, and welcome 😊

Thanks everyone this is really helpful. I'm happy to widen my search I just would want to stay as central as I could whilst knowing I'll have to compromise on some things with my budget. From what I've seen so far didsbury and chorlton are out of my price range as I'd really like a 2 bed (I know might not be possible with budget) what are Heaton Chapel and Heaton norris like as areas?

Chorlton and Didsbury are very sought-after and expensive, you may be better looking on the north side of Manchester near Prestwich. It's on the tram line into town so very quick and easy to get into the city centre. There are loads of flats in the city centre and around Salford Quays but I'm not sure about the prices, they might now be out of your range and the ground floor ones may not have a garden. Some areas of Reddish are ok and you may be able to find a flat in Ellesmere Park which is a lovely area

I used to live in Heaton Chapel (the Reddish side of it over the A6) I thought it was ok, quiet, nice neighbours, bigger house for my money (renting), easy to get into Stockport. There weren't many amenities in Heaton Chapel itself but I could walk into Heaton Moor easily enough if I wanted bars/restaurants. There's a train station on the Heaton Moor side of Heaton Chapel with quick access into Manchester. There's a lovely country park nearby too which is a real escape from the urban areas

North Manchester is cheaper and nicer imo .

Yes, Heaton Chapel would be a good place to choose definitely, but I thought the OP wanted to be nearer to Manchester centre. Heaton Chapel has it's own station though, so very short journey into Manchester.

A lot of these suggestions like Chorlton and Didsbury are way out of budget.

If I had your budget I'd go to Whitefield. Some nice bars and restaurants, a community vibe and next to Prestwich which is good (but a bit too pricey for your budget I think.)

A lot of these suggestions are pie in the sky. Prestwich and Whitefield you will have very little choice - only ex-local authority and further from the tram for 200k. Didsbury and Chorlton you might just get a flat that needs work but again, chances are ex-local authority and it won't have a garden.

I would look at Swinton and Radcliffe. Swinton's not on the tram but is on the train. People have always been very sniffy about Radcliffe, but it feels now like Prestwich did 15 years ago, and I think it's on the up. A couple of colleagues live there and it's fine - very handy for going out in Prestwich and on the tram to Manchester.

Levenshulme with your budget and wanting a garden. Lovely park, bars and and coffee shops.

Eccles?

The nice parts of Eccles are out of the OP's budget.

Look at Edgeley, Stockport - walking distance from Stockport station means transport links are excellent. Also has a high street, two parks and a reservoir for walks.

Levenshulme prices have risen so much - 200k is likely to only be realistic for a house on the Longsight border/in Longsight, and/or needing significant work.
Around 215 - 250k is probably more realistic for a 2 bed terrace in Levenshulme right now, and those on the most popular streets do tend to go for well over asking price. The north and east side of Levenshulme is typically cheaper than the south and west side.

A lot of people who have been priced out of Levenshulme have started to move into Reddish, which is still relatively ''affordable''.

OP, I'm assuming you don't already live in Manchester as otherwise you'd have an idea of areas already. If I'm right, why are you choosing to move there?

What kind of areas would this be please?

I'm happy to widen my search and know I will have to I just wanted to be as central as possible whilst being aware of my budget limitations :)

Reddish is solid working class and ok.
You might get something in Eccles or possibly Flixton for that price, or Salford? Flixton not central, mind you.

Stretford has increased enormously recently but you might get lucky Gorse Hill end. Chorlton, Didsbury, Heatons on 200k you'd be looking at a studio most likely.