Sale, Stretford, Urmston, Chorlton - why do you live there?

[Noworries40]

We're thinking of moving from East Manchester to one of these areas.

I have one DD who is already at primary school and another about to start. Obviously there will be the issue of in year transfers and available places but I was wondering about the pros and cons about living in these areas and what its really like to live there in terms of activities and entertainment for kids, adults, parks as well as shopping facilities, crime (not asking much am I??).

I'd be grateful if I could have an idea about any recommended schools too and that if we can't get a place, what the non popular schools are like.

Thanks for answering my various questions!

Hi i can answer for Chorlton and sale, dont know other areas as well, both sale and Chorlton, have lots of green spaces, parks, shops cafes. schools are really good in both areas. Chortlton is the type of area i would choose to live, lots of cool restaurants, shops, lots of families, can be a bit pricey, could look at other neighbouring areas.

Sale has become quite popular recently, has an excellent Grammar school, lots of green spaces, and good parks, Sale has its own water park.

Hope this helps.

Sale is brill, schools are generally excellent (though generally full, you may struggle with infant in-year transfers due to class size limit).
Lots of green space, it's close to the Trans Pennine trail, good transport links (trams, buses, motorways, road).

Thanks for the feedback. I'm toying with idea of both those areas but schools being full is my main concern.

I'd be interested in hearing about schools in all the areas I've mentioned and also if anyone has gone down the in year transfer and been successful.

Grateful for the replies so far, anymore for anymore?

I live quite near Longford park and really like it, find it a lot quieter with less crime (break-ins etc I mean) than Chorlton where I lived for many years. There seems to be quite a lot of movement at my daughter's small school but then it isn't a massively 'hyped' one, but very nice. We have a huge Tesco very close but tend to shop in Chorlton TBH. We use the Trafford Leisure Centres a lot though.

I grew up around there and went to school in Urmston. Urmston Grammar has a very good reputation, as does Sale Grammar, Stretford Grammar less so well thought of. Urmston generally very nice, Trafford Centre on your doorstep, Urmston Town Centre recently been redeveloped with big Sainsburys and library with toddler sessions etc. Not quite as thriving as it used to be but still thought of as a relatively nice suburb with good community feel ? lots going on for children (modern leisure centre in Urmston, George Carnall Sports Centre too).

Stretford was always seen as slightly less sought-after, has more run down parts than Urmston, Stretford Mall is dreadful (despite it being improved). Advantage for Stretford though is that it is on the Tram line (which Urmston isn't) so very handy for getting into town. The advantage of Stretford is that its cheap ? you'll get quite alot of house for your money.

Sale ? don't really know that as well. Some very nice parts (parts of Brooklands) but some not so nice parts too ? close to Wythenshawe / Baguley (you'd probably want to avoid). Quite a large town centre, again on the tram line so great access into town. I think the closer you are to the nice parts of Sale, the more expensive you get.

Chorlton ? know that least well. Its always been quite "hip" ? more individual / independent ? quite a "studenty" area, popular with young professionals. The disadvantage with Chorlton is that its not on the tram line, and its outside of Trafford for schools. Studenty parts are as you'd expect from a student area, nicer parts are obviously more expensive.

I think the house prices in all of those areas are pretty indicative of what you're getting ? bit of a generalisation but its probably right here - lower end of the scale probably means a less sought after area and not ideal for schools. Upper end of the scale for the same type of property probably means a nicer area and good schools.

Chorlton is actually on the tram-line now, so great links for city centre -however as previous poster said it is out of Trafford for schools. I have quite a few friends with children at Chorlton primary schools who are all very happy with their choices and there is a good selection of schools to choose from (both religious and non-religious). As for high schools, I don't know much about Chorlton High other than it is very big! Chorlton itself is very family-friendly with lots of nice independent shops, cafes etc. and generally a nice vibe. We actually live just in Old Trafford but it's only 15 mins walk to Chorlton and close to a tram-stop (Firswood). Our local primary school is lovely and my daughter (just finished reception) is very happy there. It was over-subscribed last year though and I think possibly for this year's intake too.
There is a lovely community feel to our neighbourhood and we haven't (touch wood) experienced any crime in the 6 years we have been here.

We have relatives who live in Stretford and whilst they have a lovely house in a really nice leafy road there are not the independent shops, cafes etc that you would get in say Chorlton. I think there are some pretty good primary schools though so wouldn't rule it out. In terms of high schools, Stretford Grammar may not be up there with Urmston Grammar and Sale Grammar but I do know (from parents with children there) that it has improved dramatically over the past couple of years and produces some excellent results.

Don't know much about Urmston but it seems to have quite a nice feel to it and the high schools certainly have a good reputation.

Timperly is another nice area (close to Sale/Altrincham) with excellent schools, transport links etc, however it would be a more expensive area to live so I guess a lot depends on your budget.

Anyway, hope that helps a little - good luck with it all!

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have answered the post on the next thread