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Original poster

Heaton Moor or Wilmslow

30 replies

naoshima · 16/11/2024 16:27

Hi all, I moved to Manchester from London about a year ago for a new job at Salford University. I stayed near Salford as a temporary solution, but now my little one is nearly 4, she is going to school soon next year, and I need to move to a more family-friendly area soon. I work 3 days a week and the place will be just for the two of us. I have been looking at numerous places at Sale, Altrincham, old Trafford etc. But with the budget I have, they are not particularly nice. I recently saw two apartments, one near Wilmslow station(1 bed) and one at Heaton Moor(two bed but share ownership) near Heaton Chapel station. The places are both nice, but I would like to weigh a little bit more based on schools around the area. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.x

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WiseLurker · 17/11/2024 09:33

I used to do that commute, from Salford to Stockport and as others have said the traffic can be horrific.

If there is football on, Christmas shoppers heading to the Trafford centre, an accident on the M60, etc, it can be brutal. I'd say at least once every couple of months, with no way to predict it, my commute would take 1.5-2 hours.

Original poster
naoshima · 19/11/2024 10:53

Ihateslugs · 17/11/2024 00:50

Have you considered how you will commute to work, Salford is a long way from most of the places you are looking at. If you drive, it’s still cross country and communities into Manchester is tiresome as there are few road crossings over the River Mersey and the two main roads get very busy. You might need to look at good train or tram links.

I currently live in Bramhall, near Cheadle and my sister lives in Heaten Mersey so know the area well. I was born and grew up in Chorlton and taught at the High Schoo, there until recently so also know that area of Manchester as well which includes Urmston and Stretford. I’m surprised that you can afford to look at Cheadle and The Heatons yet find Urmston too expensive - maybe you are unlucky with what’s available at the moment.

I don’t know what the admissions policy is at William Hulme nowadays as it used to be a Private, fee paying school that then formed a partnership with Manchester Education Dept to become a comprehensive so I don’t know if there is a catchment area. If so, I suspect it will be very small as the school is in demand based on its previous history as a Private School.

Avoid Heald Green, it is very noisy with planes as it’s very close to the airport.

There are few Primary Schools in Manchester that I would be concerned about, maybe just those in areas of particular deprivation but Secondary Schools do vary a lot. Those with the best reputations are in the most expensive areas to live which might be out of your reach for now so I suggest you focus on looking at Primary Schools in areas accessible to the University with housing you can afford.

You will definitely get more for your money N of Salford, I don’t know the area too well but I’d stick to the NE rather than the West side.

Thank you so much, you made a really good point, I probably should avoid the long travel. I am looking into closer area at the moment. Looking into one share ownership one in Urmston, I did have a look there yesterday, and the area seems nice and quite.

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naoshima · 19/11/2024 10:55

WiseLurker · 17/11/2024 09:33

I used to do that commute, from Salford to Stockport and as others have said the traffic can be horrific.

If there is football on, Christmas shoppers heading to the Trafford centre, an accident on the M60, etc, it can be brutal. I'd say at least once every couple of months, with no way to predict it, my commute would take 1.5-2 hours.

Thanks, a few of my colleagues lives in stockport and they take trains everyday, driving would be like what just said...might take ages... Very good point. Thank you again.

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naoshima · 19/11/2024 10:56

DisplayPurposesOnly · 17/11/2024 07:48

Have you considered how you will commute to work, Salford is a long way from most of the places you are looking at.

Yes, yes and yes again.

Contrary to PP's assertion the commute from Prestwich to Salford Uni is fine (there will be a temporary issue soon whilst Frederick Road near the uni is closed for the construction of the new garden bridge).

Prestwich can be v expensive but there are cheaper parts too. I'd look on the border with Salford, where M25 meets M7.

Thank you so much, I will have a look and see whether there are available ones that side.

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naoshima · 19/11/2024 10:58

LoquaciousPineapple · 17/11/2024 08:04

I live just outside of Wilmslow and I wouldn't want to commute to Salford from there. Particularly if I were a single parent so getting back in time to collect from childcare was an issue. To be honest, I wouldn't be looking anywhere in Cheshire or the Cheshire/Stockport bordering areas if I had to commute to Salford. You're looking at an hour commute if everything goes smoothly, but there are often delays or cancellations. My husband and I commuted to Manchester from near Wilmslow for three months before Covid hit, and several times in that short period we were stuck hanging about in Manchester due to train delays.

Heald Green is not an option if the plane noise would bother you. I'd question Cheadle Hulme as well on that front. I take my 3 year old to Bruntwood Park specifically because the planes are constant, low flying and loud and he loves to watch them.

I'd be looking at somewhere either in Manchester and connected to the tram or somewhere that isn't Manchester but is on the train lines to Salford Crescent. Atherton is meant to be nice, although I don't have personal experience.

Thank you! I will have another look at other places now. Fingers cross...

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