What is Blackley/higher blackley (greater Manchester) like?

[Woristag]

Hi everyone!

Family of four wanting to move to greater Manchester for a couple of years. We found a house for rent in Blackley, near Higher Blackley. Not too long of a walk from blackley forest.

Does anyone know anything about the area?

Is it any good for a family?

Thank you

Fairly typical Manchester city suburb really, it has slightly rough areas but I know people who live there without issue, they're part of a little community in their cul-de-sac. It's fairly close to Heaton Park which is lovely to visit, there are bus links to city centre, Middleton the other way also close to the m60 for getting around Manchester. Middleton can be a bit rough I suppose but again I've been there and never personally had any issues.

Thanks so much!

I think like everywhere else it depends on where exactly in Blackley you live

I dont think I would recommend it. South Manchester is better. But depends on your budget.

Thank you for your reply.

We looked at Stockport area which we loved but it's very competitive and we haven't managed to find anywhere there

There's a house we could potentially get in Blackley but I'm a bit worried from what I read online

South of Manchester is significantly more expensive than north.

I don't know Blackley enough to comment. It just annoys me it's pronounced Blakely - if they wanted it pronounced Blakely they shouldn't have spelled it with a bloody C, dammit!

It's not too bad, like anywhere it has good and bad bits. DH and I lived in Crumpsall next door to Blackley for 5 years (two of which was with DS1 as a baby) and I spent my life in Heaton Park. Love that place!
Obviously South Manchester is "better" but it's also £££ and can be a bit snobbish and there are also terrible areas

Disclaimer: I was born and brought up in South Manchester before anyone has a go.

Whitefield is close by and much nicer imo. Without getting to crazy south Manchester prices.

I wouldn't. And I know it.

I know the area and wouldn't move there.

I lived there 1993 to 2008 and it was rough, my dad still lives there now. Do you mind me asking what road?
Primary school was good but the local secondary was shocking. I think it’s an academy now, no idea of how it’s performing. In my opinion places closer to Heaton park (can’t remember if it’s higher or lower) are better than near the high school.
I had a real culture shock moving to Stretford (north Manchester). It could be different now, but personally I would never move back there and wouldn’t want my kids to grow up there. I was a little shit though and so were all my friends!

A friend lived there in the 90's and we used to visit occasionally and couldn't wait to leave tbh.

It was really rough then but it may have improved?

Thank you everyone

Could you say what your budget is approx and how many bedrooms. It's a juggle between getting most of what you want ìn the best area you can afford. But prices have certainly steadied off lately and there is a better chance of a property at a good price than there was last year.

I had a real culture shock moving to Stretford (north Manchester)

Stretford is definitely not north Manchester! It's south west.

I would avoid personally.

i used to live in Chorlton years ago and would walk into Stretford to get the tram to work. Happy days!

Having worked there and Harpurhey so would I

OP, if you indicate:

• budget
• no of bedrooms
• school requirements
• where you'll be working you'll get more specific advice.

Prestwich/Whitefield are generally well thought of.

Ignore 'I lived in xx 20 years ago', a lot changes in that time. I've lived in my house for 20 years and the local area is much nicer now.

Grim

I grew up there, and my parents still live there. I went back recently and was shocked at how bad it had got (from a pretty low base).

Yeah, sorry I meant south Manchester. From north Manchester (Blackley)

I would avoid if possible. My DGM grew up and lived in the area and it never felt safe.

Is Prestwich an option?

My DGM grew up and lived in the area and it never felt safe

How is that relevant? What, 50+ years ago?

I lived there 10 years ago and it was rough as fuck. I was living in as a carer and the next door neighbour broke in and robbed the old lady 3x when I was there. Crumpsell isn't like that at all thou - lovely community

Thank you all for your replies.

It makes me want to look for another area to live but my husband is adamant he wants to move there.

We have a budget of £1150 a month for a two or three bed house.
My husband will work on central - M15.

The house we found in Blackley is a 2 bed semi detached for 1100 a month.