Minefield that is Manchester!

[3pickles]

Yikes. Firstly thanks for reading this message and if you have some input I would love to hear it!

Currently living in a village next to Cambridge, have 2 primary aged girls and a secondary aged boy. All happy-ish in lovely schools.

We are looking to move North West but I honestly do not know where to begin!

My priorities are:

• Commutable to Deansgate (within an hour) for DH’s work. He is unable to drive due to health concerns at the moment so will largely rely on public transport. I drive so could possibly drop him at a nearby station (5-10 mins drive).
• Excellent primary and secondary schools in a sense that they have supportive pastoral care and have effective systems in place to manage behaviour and bullying. I don’t think we will make any of the children sit the 11+ so perhaps would rather avoid the grammar school areas.
• Would like a nice safe area with plenty of activities for the children (and me!)
• Depending on mortgage will have a budget £450-£600k for a 4 bed (or 3 bed with potential to extend).
• Not sure I would be a fan of being in the flight paths!

Would greatly appreciate input on which areas to consider and why.

Google Prestwich. There’s a metro station, good community feel and green spaces. A Marks and Spencer’s food hall. Some independent bars and restaurants. Not sure about schools.
My daughter lived there for a while and commuted. Still goes there for meals and to meet friends.

Thank you. Will have a look. ☺️

Chorley. Great schools, 30 mins on train to Manchester.
Lots of lovely countryside on the doorstep too.

The Stockport villages with train stations: Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Gatley, Heald Green and Handforth which is just over the boarder into East Cheshire. All have village “centres” with a few bars and restaurants, and countryside (Peak District and Cheshire) although Heald Green has only one nice bar and fewer restaurants. 15-20 mins to Deansgate station albeit a rather unreliable service, decent schools with no grammar system and close to motorway networks in case you need to go back and to down south.

Any suburb on the East Lancs Road going towards Leigh might fit your bill.

It would be Salford area, my suggestions would be Monton, Swinton (South Swinton), Boothstown, Worsley. (M27/M28 postcode areas)

The East Lancs Road has a bus service that goes straight to Deansgate and is mostly reliable and fair in price.

In Swinton/top end of Monton there is a primary and secondary on the same campus (primary LA run, secondary academy) both good schools, well equipped and links to local communities.

There are numerous other school in the area too.

There are supermarkets, parks, community spaces local and the house prices are generally reasonably priced.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/165518993?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/165693497?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

I've added 2 random properties that are close to the East Lancs just to show area/price

There are nice areas to the north of Manchester, with some decent schools and gorgeous countryside on the doorstep. Ramsbottom is lovely. We're in Rossendale/Darwen area and my DH used to commute to central Manchester.

Agree
good tram and bus links into Manchester / deansgate
prestwich village has decent restaurants and shops

The tram line map is a good place to start. Prestwich is a good suggestion. Your money would go further a couple of stops further out, like Whitefield or even Bury itself. In south Manchester Chorlton and Didsbury are very popular but a lot more expensive.

I would not recommend Ramsbottom for commuting, it doesn't have a train or tram (just a steam train!). But if you want rail links, Ashton under Lyme or Stockport would be good starting points.

Have a look at Sandbach.

I agree with checking the tram routes. Also as you are not interested in grammar schools avoid Trafford, houses are more expensive because of them

You will get more for you money in North Manchester. There are some lovely areas in South Manchester, eg Didsbury, but the houses cost a lot more, is location or space more important to you?

Saddleworth may suit you, lots of little villages in the countryside with a real community feel. There is a train station at Greenfield to get into Manchester. Check out Delph,Diggle, Dobcross, Uppermill, Greenfield which are all villages in Saddleworth. Good schools etc.

Stockport (Heatons) came to mind, but as you go towards the cheadle end you are coming into the flight path. Stockport doesn’t have a tram route but I believe one is planned. North Manchester is cheaper yes but I think there’s less choice of decent schools.

Another shout for Saddleworth. Lots of vibrant villages with loads of community activities including music, theatre and sports for kids.

I would look south Manchester- near marple/ romiley train line, or out to new mills. Or Disley (different line, but commuteable) Easy access to piccadilly Station in Manchester, but also out to Derbyshire if you like more countryside within easy reach.

Thank you so much for all of your comments! Certainly plenty to explore and really appreciate being pointed in the direction of plenty of places that sound like they will fit the bill!

Can you keep us updated on your progress, what you rule out and what you like? Not that I want to live vicariously through this thread of course

@SleafordSods Thank you, I certainly will. Am sure I will have plenty of questions still to come!

I think my main concern is just getting the right schools for the kids so always interested in peoples experiences of their local schools. ☺️ Not so concerned about academic achievements, more that they finish their schooling happy, sure of who they are and equipped for the world!

Would add the Heatons to this. On the train line although not the tram, some nice houses in your budget (although it’s definitely a bit of a property hotspot at the moment). Increasingly popular with families who have been priced out of didsbury etc.

The didsburys/ Heaton moor/ Chorlton are the “trendy” areas with good schools and transport links. Very expensive though.