Decent areas to live in Manchester.

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Hi

Which decent areas would you recommend in Manchester?

The south of Manchester (sale, Altricham etc) seems quite expensive, so what are the other areas that are decent enough to live in, where people are friendly, and there are low crime rates?

If possible, please share the postcodes.

I have been looking on rightmove, zoopla areas like stockport but which area within that are safer?
We are a young family looking to buy a flat/apartment with 2-3 bedrooms. And parks, schools and safe neighbourhood matters to make a decision.

thank you!

Hello everyone,

I've been reading all your messages and did some research. I found out that I'm not sure how certain areas, like Rochdale, Crewe, Salford, Hulme, and Bury, look from a local perspective.

If you're familiar with these areas and can recommend family-friendly postcodes, please let me know.

Our little one will possibly start primary school next year, so we're focusing on areas with good primary schools. We plan to shift to the south of Manchester later when we can.

We're quite sporty and enjoy swimming, going to the gym, and other activities. If we could live near a community sports centre or sports village, it would save us time commuting.

Our main concern is access to good public transport, especially rail connections to London, central Manchester, and the north of the UK (Scotland). Our work requires us to visit various offices, so efficient transport is important.

Our three main priorities are: 1. Proximity to good primary schools, 2. Access to parks and a strong sense of community, and 3. Good transport connections

PS: this going to be out first home :)

Hey op, of the above personally I would say bury. You've got close access to heaton Park and some lovely areas. Middleton also has some nice areas and is close to heaton Park (look around stake hill side) ill try and share some properties for you. Rochdale is a very deprived area. Crewe is far out. I'm not sure about hulme as I live in North Manchester. Did you take a look at failsworth at all?

I'm from N. Manchester. There are many places to avoid.

I've seen Littleborough mentioned a few times. Littleborough is part of Rochdsle and has some lovely parts but be aware there is only one major road from the town centre which very often has road works. Also, there are only small areas that are 'nice', it is very mixed. If you are going to look at Rochdale I'd look at Norden and then Bamford. Norden will also give you access to Bacup grammar school (free but need to do well on entrance exam).

Todmorden and Walsden are nice but are Yorkshire.

Saddleworth/ Diggle/ Delph can be a nightmare in bad weather for driving.

Alkrington is too close to Middleton and I wouldn't move there with young children, I'd also avoid Didsbury with young children.

Bromley Cross in Bolton is nice.

If you can why not look at getting a hotel for a weekend and have a good drive around.

https://www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/greater-manchester/east-hollinsfield

I would also suggest Monton (M30). There’s a property on Rightmove - £185k (ellesmere park) apartment 2 beds which is worth a look. This is the main road in Monton. I am familiar with this mock-Tudor building as I drive past it most days.

This has the leafy feel of Didsbury. Excellent location as you’re a 5-10 min walk from the tram/train/bus station in Eccles. The M60 is 5 min drive away

PS. When you search Monton it also brings up Eccles which is a small town down on its luck. It’s improving tbh but has an air of gloom whereas Monton is vibrant with walks, lots of cafe/bars, canal walks, park etc…

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144722798#/?channel=RES_BUY

Also Monton is close to the Trafford Centre - 10 mins drive. Opposite there you have a large amount of things to do with kids - golf, trampling, ski centre, mega soft play…

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138603011#/?channel=RES_BUY

This house has a park at the back of it and is close to a good primary school. 2 mins from m60 motorway and tram stops near by

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143416436#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120804233#/?channel=RES_BUY

Woodhouses is a lovely area. So much so there's some local celebs around there (just to show its a nice area)

Ok sorry to bombard you, hopefully I'm being helpful. Plus I love house hunting!

If you’re not absolutely fixed on an M postcode there are some great options slightly further afield.
Newton-le-Willows is 20 mins to Victoria on the train and has some good options for schools and homes
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145580360#/?channel=RES_BUY

Hey Thanks for replying. I will look for bury no not heard about failsworth. how is it?

I can speak for Hulme as I lived there for around 14yrs. Walking distance to city centre, big refurbished leisure centre/swimming/library complex, art centre which does lots of kids activities and shows, very popular community garden centre which has toddler groups etc during the week, 3 good primary schools an outstanding rated secondary school. A large park too. Can feel a bit studenty now as MMU as expanded into this area. But I still see lots of families around too as I pass by daily to work.

Oh and a great sense of community. I still miss living there!

Someone mentioned woodhouses above and it is really lovely . It’s kind of a little haven though the areas round it aren’t so nice so you’d need to check out school situation . Minutes from motorways though which is handy .

@MancMa I live close by and can vouch for it and have friends who live there too.

Op woodhouses is in failsworth. All near motorway, leisure centres and nice restaurants and also daisy nook which is a nice walk.

Have a look at all failsworth/woodhouses, middleton and Bury Google maps and look at local schools etc x

I would like to correct this if I may. Rochdale town centre is very deprived and not a nice area, however the surrounding villages are not.

The villages of Littleborough, Norden, Bamford, Milnrow and Newhey, which technically fall under Rochdale although have an Oldham post code are absolutely not deprived and are lovely community areas with lots of good schools.

You will find community sports clubs, like the local cricket clubs, there are family festival fun days (Littleglastonbury) and Milnrow Calling . Junior Park run at Milnrow memorial park every Sunday .
Hollingworth lake, has water activities .

Schools and ofsted

Crossgates Primary , Milnrow. Good in 2024, just scraped Outstanding.

Milnrow Parish, Milnrow, Good in 2024.

Smithy Bridge Primary School , Good

St Mary's , Littleborough, Good

Hollingworth Academy Good
Wardle Acadment , Good

It you want any further info, feel free to DM me.

@BirtyDird apologies you are right! I was forgetting some of the surrounding areas come under Rochdale. I frequent hollinworth lake and the area is lovely. Just maybe a little far out from the city centre?

@Helplessandheartbroke sorry if it came across as defensive but I hate how Rochdale gets a bad name for itself , as only a small part of it is bad really, the outskirts are nothing like the town. Thanks for backing me up, Hollingworth Lake is lovely isn't it.

As for getting into Manchester , I do the commute and its not thay bad.

approx 45 mins on the tram
approx 20 mins on the train

No thanks for correcting me and yes it's a gorgeous area not far from lovely parts of Yorkshire too!

Highly recommend Broadbottom, Dinting, and Glossop. All have train stations and are reasonably priced areas to live. Traffic to Glossop can be very bad in rush hour if travelling by car. Dinting is quite rural, Glossop is a town, and Broadbottom is a village with a great community and very family friendly (e.g., events on at the Community Centre a few times a year).

I live in Horwich, we like it here. My partner worked in Reddish but we struggled to find anything closer to Manchester we liked. Also we felt that most places were total shit holes.
We had a £350k budget btw. Ramsbottom is lovely but very expensive; I’d be looking at Heywood, Bolton area.
Prices have skyrocketed. We liked Worsley but couldn’t afford anything we liked.

Horwich is a lovely village close to Bolton, it's surrounded by great countryside and walks, has a sport centre, a retail park, train station, and motorway links.

Thank you all very much! I received great recommendations on places to look into.
I have a question: How is Bram Hall in terms of the area?