Possibly moving to Manchester from London

[shouldiorshouldinot]

Hi everyone,

We are possibly planning on moving to Manchester from London. I've never lived anywhere other than London so it's daunting. I have 4dc 12,10,4,1. The very main thing is excellent schools. St the moment my kids are at outstanding schools so I really hope they can continue like that.
Anybody made the move and how have you found it?
What's the best place to move to with great schools secondary and primary and maybe not too far from the city centre?
Looking for a 4 bed semi or detached
How likely is it to get into food schools and getting into same schools?

Thank you all it's all very overwhelming

Bump anyone

I live in Heaton Moor. Google it. Lovely , we get a lot of BBC types relocating. Schools are good, both primary and secondary ( have to watch catchment for secondary). Lots of shops, cafes,bars and restaurants. Plenty of parks and open space. 9 mins on train to City centre.

Moormummy that sound perfect, can I just ask how do you mean you have to watch out for catchment for secondary schools? Is there a particular side in the area I should look at for good secondary schools? Thanks

If you want a bit further out, but with direct links to the CC then Altrincham is lovely.
It has very good Primary and Secondary schools and it’s have a recent revamp meaning there is lots going on there now.
They have a direct tram into the city centre which takes about 25-30 minutes.
It’s on the pricier side of Manchester though, so it depends on your budget.

We moved from Richmond to Bowdon (just outside Altrincham) a couple of years ago, we are both originally from the northwest but lived in London for 15 year before moving back up with our two DCc then 4yo twins.

We chose the area for its excellent schools including access to the grammar system, and close proximity to Manchester via the tram, which I get to work every day as can’t get used to driving after years of the tube! Love it now, loads of nice restaurants, bars and shops and have a good bunch of friends mostly through school. Is expensive but not as much as London!

The outstanding secondary is Priestnall. But you have to be on the right side of the A6. I see people above mentioning Bowdon( pricey but v nice) and Altrincham ( lovely) and yes schools are excellent, in fact my DS went to one of the Trafford grammars.

Other areas , Hale, Wilmslow, Bramhall. North Manchester also has some lovely places , but I’m not that well up on them.

The general rule tends to be south of the city is seen as more desirable (with the odd exception). If you’re happy with a grammar system then without question your best bet is Trafford: Altrincham and it’s surrounding areas such as Bowden, Hale, Sale. If you prefer non-grammar then the Heatons of Stockport A’s also mentioned are best. Generally, the secondary schools under Manchester City council in the more desirable areas (Chorlton and Didsbury) don’t have a fantastic reputation, although new secondaries are currently being built and the primaries in those areas are excellent.
Note: I may be in a grump as a pupil from a secondary in one of those desirable areas spat in my front garden this afternoon

What is your budget for a house? Mythical cheap northern property doesn’t really exist in Manchester and some areas are incredibly expensive

Mythical cheap northern property doesn’t really exist in Manchester

Yes it does if the OP is prepared to move to certain areas north and east of the city centre.

@lastqueenofscotland is right. The areas you’re looking at aren’t cheap. For a 4 bed semi / detached, it would start around £350 - 400k and that’s for a doer-upper.

Even Moston/Openshaw/Gorton/Clayton aren’t as cheap as they used to be, unless you go through auction now landlords have got wise to incredibly lucrative rates the council will pay if you let it to them for use to house homeless families...

Anyway, unless you’re coming up with the thick end of a million and can afford didsbury, I’d look at Whalley Range, bits of Withington, Sale, most of Trafford, further out Worsley is gorgeous and a bit cheaper because it’s Salford (though Salford council
Tax is quite a bit higher than Manchester).
The other way you’ve got Greenfield and Uppermill which are lovely and easy links to town, but not sure what the schools would be.

Also north and east of the city (Gorton etc) aren’t the best place to start if schools are your priority.
Saddleworth (Greenfield and Uppermill) aren’t a bad shout but may feel too remote and rural if you’re used to city living. Plus the train service can be “sporadic” - it’s an easy journey to Mossley Hollins and Bluecoat schools, which are both fantastic, from there.

Iltavilli But the OP hasn't said she's only looking in Altrincham and nearby, has she?

Personally, without knowing the budget of the OP, I'd recommend Urmston as a mid-range option. It's got good-ish schools, isn't crazily expensive, and has a bit of a London-y vibe.

I live in wythenshawe. Great place to live barring the odd few things you get in most places

@southeastdweller no she hasn’t, but was clear her priority was schools, and expressed interest in Heaton Moor (which is what the price I mentioned was based upon).
Whilst Urmston is more reasonable than the areas above, a 4 bed detached would likely still be starting at £300k

I live in Prestwich which is north of Manchester and comes under Bury. It’s lively, 15 minute tram into the city centre, close to motorway links, lovely parks (biggest public park in Europe is on my doorstep), good schools. Whitefield is the next town out and also nice. Ramsbottom is further out with fewer transport links but has a lively village-y feel and was voted the foodiest town in the UK at some point.

*lovely, not lively

If you fancy Altrincham, have a look at Lymm/South Warrington too. Easy access to Manchester via the M56 for work etc and good schools. (Google Lymm High School And Bridgwater High) Also have a look
at Cheadle Hulme. In Manchester, I second looking at Prestwich, also Urmston/Monton as nice places to live, but I am not an expert on the schools round there. Didsbury and Chorlton are desirable. Good luck - Manchester is a great place to live/work'

Another Bowdon mum here - it's a great place to live and Altrincham has pretty much everything you need; cinemas, loads of bars and restaurants, lots of great sports clubs. It is expensive compared to other Manchester areas, but coming from London you might not find it too bad. Schools here are all amazing - which is one of the main reasons the prices are so high.

Basically OP you need to be a bit more specific telling us what you want

Manchester is hugely varied, and has its own very unique identity

Lots of good schools in Manchester so knowing your budget is helpful with regard to what you can realistically afford

You say close to the city centre, how close are you talking. Lots of the areas immediately surrounding it (so a 10/20 minute walk) aren’t great (lower broughton, hulme, moss side, Beswick, Cheetham hill etc) how Far out are you willing to consider travelling to town and how frequently will you need to.

Do you need access to any of the motorways?

Do you specifically want a semi/detached?

Do you need to be near any other amenities, certain schools or a hospital with certain facilities?

More details please! With enough info we can even choose the right house for you and then organise your house warming!

Im prestwich too and I love it! It’s currently the new trendy place and full of young professionals and families. House prices are going up rapidly so feel very lucky to have bought when we did!

I think going with other PPs though, Bowden/Hale/Altrincham/wilmslow areas are lovely.

Some areas of Stockport are nice and accessible to CC easily by train. Some good schools too. Also New Mills just over the border lovely access to Peak District.
Mellor, Marple, Marple Bridge, Bramhall in Stockport.
Further in Chorlton and Didsbury.

Housing in Manchester (especially in nicer areas with good schools) is a minefield. Prices are rising rapidly. Just looking at areas like levenshulme, where a house worse 150k five years ago is selling almost double now.

Yes there are cheaper areas (which are almost exclusively in the north), but they don’t tend to be places bursting with good schools. I wouldn’t consider living in Mostin or Hapurhey personally, and realistically how many ‘naice’ MNetters would?

Maybe look at Middleton OP. Nice area on the Rochdale/Manchester border, and no-where near as pricy as places in the south. You can get a 5 bed house there for about 350k

Thank you everyone, if I go towards the grammar school area and if my children don't get in are the schools generally good in that area too?
So I don't want a rural area I'm used to city and my budget I would say £300,000-£320,000. Could go slightly higher but would prefer not too.
Hope that helps