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Original poster

Gay Couple Moving to Manchester - Advice Needed

62 replies

hfluffy88 · 30/06/2016 14:03

Hi all,

I hope you can help me. Myself and my partner are looking to relocate to Manchester as we have been completely priced out of our hometown here in Berkshire. We are a lesbian couple and looking for somewhere to rent (rent budget £750pm maximum) with the potential of buying later on (Buyinh budget under £150k and we are looking for a 2 bed house with garden). I've been told to stick to south manc for what we are after but I really have no clue where to start as we have never been there (we plan on making a trip soon to visit areas once we have a short list).

We need somewhere that has:

  • easy-ish access to city or good town for shopping
  • gay friendly
  • safe area
  • open spaces for walks
  • house with garden for 3 dogs
  • not too secured - the town we live in at the moment has nothing going on and we hate it
  • artsy/crafts vibe
  • indie shops
  • good transport
  • we will be adopting so good schools (but wouldn't be opposed to homeschooling if that's a problem)
  • not too bothered about pubs as don't really drink but do enjoy going out for lunch/dinner so good cafes or restaurants would be a bonus.

I know this is a lot to ask as somewhere like this probably doesn't exist but if anyone has any suggestions to help narrow our search would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance! Smile

OP posts:
Pengweng · 03/07/2016 14:04

Sorry just seen the bit about schools. Pretty much all the schools in Trafford council area are outstanding.

CowVersusMouse · 03/07/2016 14:08

If you're adopting don't you get priority choice of schools? You do where I live. Might make things a bit easier.

Original poster
hfluffy88 · 08/07/2016 17:57

Thanks so much you guys. Will be looking into Chorlton or the surrounding areas as seems like the best fit for us.

OP posts:
Mabelface · 08/07/2016 21:55

You could look just outside Manchester too. Glossop is great, with a good, direct train service to Manchester. There's a fairly large gay community for such a small town and it's got a cracking high street with lots of independent shops. The primary schools are good, the secondary not so great, unfortunately. I work in Manchester and commute and I love coming home. There's a great vegan pub (house doubles are only £2) which does good food and plenty of other good pubs. This is the sort of house you can get for your money www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-42668349.html

Original poster
hfluffy88 · 09/07/2016 16:27

Wow thanks Madlizzy. That place sounds great! Especially the vegan places and indie shops. I am looking to bring my business with me so a good high street is a great advantage as eventually I will be looking to rent a shop. How far out is it to the city?

OP posts:
iklboo · 09/07/2016 18:58

Oooh - what kind of business is it (nosy)?

itsahen · 09/07/2016 23:03

You'd certainly get more for your money

Original poster
hfluffy88 · 10/07/2016 10:00

I have a pet boutique and grooming parlour so I'll either be starting that up again once we move or starting a completely new business. Can't quite decide yet!

OP posts:
Mabelface · 10/07/2016 11:10

It's 32 minutes by train.

Original poster
hfluffy88 · 10/07/2016 12:06

That's not too far. We travel about 20 minutes to our nearest big town to do big shopping at the moment anyway so that's reasonable.

OP posts:
opalfire · 10/07/2016 14:52

Chorlton does sound what you're looking for. It's a bit like Hackney IMO. It is out of your price range so surrounding areas like Stretford are worth looking at.

Mabelface · 10/07/2016 17:47

Best thing to do is come for a day here and have a wander, see what you think. The only downside here is the traffic, but if you don't have a car, it's not a problem. Lots of lovely walks (Longdendale Trail), two big supermarkets and a few other big shops if you want them.

Original poster
hfluffy88 · 10/07/2016 17:52

I'm hoping to come up for a week and spend half the time in cholton/Didsbury are and the other half in some of the other areas recommended but it's hard with job hunting etc as we have to try and plan everything at th same time to save on money

OP posts:
Original poster
hfluffy88 · 23/07/2016 20:13

Does anyone have any opinions on the Warrington area?

OP posts:
itsahen · 24/07/2016 15:24

It's a big area and each part of it is quite different! I don't like new towns myself but it's cheaper and has good transport links !

Original poster
hfluffy88 · 27/07/2016 11:20

Thanks!

I'm getting so confused. The more I research the more confused I get as everyone has such conflicting opinions.

I've been recommended Stockport by someone I know who lives and works there (lives in Wythenshaw works in Stockport) and she absolutely LOVES it, but when I started to research the area all I could find was how it was rough "chav central" and to avoid at all costs.

Anyone have any experience of Stockport and does it tick any of my boxes? I know it has a vintage market which seems promising but other than that I have no idea.

OP posts:
opalfire · 27/07/2016 17:26

I don't really know Stockport. Like any small town there are nice bits and not so nice. As a shopping centre I don't like it - too many shopping centres strung out around a ring road, and parking is a nightmare. But I'm an outsider. Locals would know more.

I think the problem unfortunately is your budget. The North isn't always cheaper than the SE. There are lots of places in South Manchester that are ideal but are way beyond your budget. £150k would buy a 1 bed flat in Whalley Range near Chorlton.

You could, however, afford a 3 bed semi in Prestwich. There are 2 for sale on Eastleigh Rd and Downham Crescent that are 5 mins walk from Heaton Park and the tram. The area is absolutely fine, but it is not at all like Chorlton or Didsbury. North Manchester has a very different feel to South Manchester. You don't have the student / lecturer influences. Prestwich and Whitefield are popular areas though, not particularly rough or 'chavvy' and very handy for the tram and M62. Probably worth a look more than Warrington.

swaying · 27/07/2016 18:08

But you can buy a 2/3 bed terrace in old trafford (round hullard park) or stretford / chorlton borders / firswood (eg gorse estate) and it feels like chorlton did 15 years ago (which now feels like Didsbury Wink)!

Original poster
hfluffy88 · 27/07/2016 20:18

Thanks guys. Yes unfortunately our budget is tiny as we are only allowed to take one income into consideration for mortgage as I'm self employed. If only I had a "proper job" :P

We've been looking at Glossop which has a lot of houses that are affordable but unfortunately not near Didsbury etc. Think we will rent there first and have a look around all the different areas before we decide where to buy. The searching is doing my head in so think we're just going to pick a spot and deal with it from there lol!

OP posts:
opalfire · 27/07/2016 21:09

That sounds like the best plan! X

itsahen · 27/07/2016 22:47

Didsbury is only a couple of miles from Stockport. Stockport is fine and lots of very nice areas and a couple of less desirable ones. Schools are generally good. The Heatons area of Stockport is as desirable as Didsbury and Chorlton and house prices follow. The town centre lets it down but it's not all bad.
I'd personally go for Stretford / Old Trafford based on what you said or way out to Glossop.

StJohnsOT · 24/10/2016 13:55

Whalley Range is lovely - some bits are about to be adopted by Chorlton no less! (one of the more wealthy areas in M/cr) Whalley Range used to be dodgey about 15years ago!
Stockport I find is a long way out of the city centre at night time. Takes ages on a bus down the A6 from cityc centre!
I'm in Old Trafford and `swaying' says it all - close to the city centre - you can walk it in about 40mins if you miss the last tram. Brilliant metrolink stops at Trafford Bar (which is an exchange stop for the rest of South M/cr to the airport or Altrincham). Walking distance to Salford Quays media city. Just starting to be up and coming over the last 3 to 4 years. Very active community - loads of groups and community spirit if you have the time. Rent about £750 for a 3 bed terrace with a back yard - in the nice bit near Seymour Park and Hullard Park. Try looking at LOTS (Love Old Trafford to get a flavour of the area - good, bad and the ugly). Seymour Park - best primary school in Trafford (high schools area different matter).

onelonelygirl · 16/07/2017 19:42

Didsbury really is he nicest. South Manchester is all pretty decent too.

If you find any meet up groups for lesbian mums do let me know.

I'm a lesbian single mum and feel like I really don't fit in anywhere. Would love to meet some lesbian mums.

Tean1 · 16/07/2017 20:23

I'm from Stockport but now live in West Didsbury. Stockport is a large area and has lots of lovely places and some perhaps not so nice. The commute from the nicer bits (Marple, Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme) can be a bit of a nightmare. If you are intending to start a new business locally, then Marple could suit (large village / town). It is not as alternative as Chorlton and is also quite expensive though.

Have a look at Levenshulme, it is quite a nice relaxed place with people from all over with good links into Manchester and Stockport. The area isn't as immediately appealing as Didsbury and Chorlton but it has quite a lot to offer and has good rail and bus links.

I was quite surprised to find a recommendation for Glossop BTW. I quite like Glossop, however it is out in the sticks (again I have lived over this way in the past) and I found it insular and lacking in services, sorry I would not recommend it based on your brief.