Relocating to Greater Manchester - advice sought!

[HeyPresto1]

My partner has been offered the opportunity to work in Manchester and we are looking into the possibility of relocating from London in the new year. However, having never lived Up North, we are absolutely clueless when it comes to knowing where to start our search for somewhere to live! Please could anyone kindly advise on areas suitable for a young family with good nurseries, preschools and schools that are commutable into the city centre? We have an almost 2 year old and are TTC so somewhere with lots going on for babies and toddlers would be fab! We don't drive, (although willing to learn!) so would want to be able to get public transport out and about and into work for DP. Looking to rent initially and eventually buy - top budget would ideally be no more than £900 per month. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

what a strange link to post olivers

110 people in 10 years in a city with a population of over half a million.

Levenshulme is up and coming?? It must have really changed since I lived there!

Ah wondered how many posts in we'd get before gun crime was wheeled out! Unless you're planning on joining a local moss side or Salford gang OP I really wouldn't worry too much!

Never had any problems taking my 3 yr old to a pub either although we tend only go for dinner and not Friday night karaoke.

Manchester is commutable by train by most of Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, giving you loads of options for your budget. I can vouch for the area of Lancs north of Bolton; gorgeous countryside, excellent primary and high schools, an hour from the Lakes, train to the city in 20 mins, 30 mins drive off peak (okay, don't even attempt it in rush hour!), 2 hrs on train to London and great property prices.

I live in stockport which is worth looking at esp. Heatons and Bramhall.

Regarding pre-school don't worry too much, cut off for applying in stockport is end of March BUT many are undersubscribed (eg ours which is good but awkward hours) so I'd be very surprised if they didn't accept a late application.

I live in stockport which is worth looking at esp. Heatons and Bramhall.

Regarding pre-school don't worry too much, cut off for applying in stockport is end of March BUT many are undersubscribed (eg ours which is good but awkward hours) so I'd be very surprised if they didn't accept a late application.

I live in South Manchester, it is expensive. I would look at Stockport. I particularly like Hazel Grove. Good schools, close to countryside and the A6 is being bypassed so should become less busy.
I am 51 and do not have rheumatism, neither do my parents who are in their 70's and 80's. Rheumatism is an auto-immune condition.
As for the pubs not being child friendly, bollocks.
As for the grey skies, well, the sky is blue, my doors and windows are wide open because it is so warm, we have wild parrots, and we rarely have snow.
My children have been reasonably independent since about 12 years of age

Just checked my thread again and am so grateful for all of your incredibly helpful advice. Lots of investigative work to undertake over the next few days - some of these areas I hadn't heard of before so thank you!

You sure have a lot of opinions on somewhere you clearly care little for and haven't lived in for years Oliver's. May I suggest a hobby....I doubt your posts are helping OP and just make you sound bitter and weird tbh.

Throwing a wild card into the mix: Macclesfield. It's on the edge of the peaks, fantastic transport, but of an independent spirit, with affordable period properties. You can get into the centre of Manchester in 20mins by train - quicker than from most Mcr suburbs.

for when you have your million pound budget OP
I'd also vote for North Manchester. Check out Alkrington in Middleton.

Avoid Tameside like the plague - it's a shit hole

Levenshulme didn't look very up and coming to me when I drove through last week.

I live in West Lancs on the Southport to Manchester line. Lots of people in my street commute into Manchester every day. We are a naice village, great for kids.

So only flowery beautiful comments are allowed about areas. I know most parts of Manchester because I lived in most parts(moved 26 times in the area) including Moss Side during the riots.

Like friends who ask for my opinion I give it warts and all if the op only wanted positives then she should have said.

Those of us who grew up in Manchester and left on the whole don't want to return. I am sure there are a few who couldnt wait to get back after leaving. Those of you who never left or are new comers think the area is great.

No, it doesn't have to be a flowery beautiful comment.

But bitter remarks based on experience that is 40 years out of date are not much use.

Alkrington.....hmmm went there for the first time last week, it does feel a nice sleepy, safe suburb with nice houses that I can guess are cheaper than south manc. Only issue was lack of public transport....I was trying to get back to Manchester and the bus was taking so long I ended up getting a taxi to Bowker Vale tram stop....nice enough place but poor for public transport I think.

Manchester's nothing like it was 20 years ago. I believe in the last riot we had here, looters were stealing from Patisserie Valerie! Times have changed.

I used to live in Bramhall and Cheadle and prefer both to Didsbury where I have also lived. Lovely areas with great access to lots of facilities. Good bars, resturants and shops plus you can be out of the "village" centres and in countryside proper with a 5 min drive plus into Manchester suburbs (Dids/chorlton) in 10 mins and town in 30. Georaphically that bit further, however public transport wise the train from Bramhall to Picc is 23mins where as last time I took the train to town from Didsbury Village it was around 40mins. Didsbury always feels filthy in comparison to Bramhall, Cheadle Village, Cheadle Hulme, Hazel Grove.
I'm not keen on the Sale/Alty/Hale area myself, it all feels very socially competitive and artificial but the schools are good.

Marple and Glossop are also lovely with decent schools. I know a lot of people who have moved out that way with children.

Poynton is lovely, hazel Grove is nice and bramhall, the Heatons. We're in wilmslow, renting prices are ridiculous im paying 850 for an end of terrace, 2 bed house!

Mossley is also lovely and has a direct train to Victoria. It has become a lovely little spot with a fantastic community spirit. I lived there for a while and enjoyed the little cafes, children's groups, yoga classes and general safe feeling. It's cheap as chips and surrounded by beautiful countryside. If I could love back there I would, in a shot.

I've lived abroad, I've lived elsewhere in the UK and I think the area has a lot going for it. Just out of interest, Oliversmumsarmy, where do you live now?

London

Oliversarmy, I once went to London and saw a tramp try (and fail) to shit in a postbox. I don't write off a city of 8 million people based on my experiences 12 years go. I imagine many people on this thread weren't born when you last lived in Manchester so maybe, just maybe the city might have changed just a tad?

Don't consider Saddleworth. It's shit.

Knife crime and riots hasn't put you off London then Oliversarmy ?