Moving to Manchester!! Where to live?!

[lauren23]

My OH has taken a job in Manchester. His job will cover the whole of Manchester so it doesn't really matter where we live in terms of commute. We have no idea where to start with places to live?! We have a little boy who is nearly 2 so are looking for lots of things to do for him. I'm keen to meet other mums as won't know people in Manchester. We have been recommended south Manchester..hale, altrincham, wilmslow, Pressbury. We have a max budget of 500k but would obviously like to keep under that if possible?! Any advice/recommendations?!

Suppose it depends where you're moving from and what type of environment you are used to? Personally the places you've listed are further south than my 'South Manchester'. You'll get a lot more house for your money a bit closer in. Can't recommend areas I don't know (like the ones you've listed) so will comment on ones I do: Didsbury is relatively expensive (but likely cheaper than what you've already listed), Chorlton is quite good (covers a range of good areas and less good ones, though). The Heatons are worth looking at too. For baby / toddler groups lots going on in both Didsbury and Chorlton. Schools in these areas are horribly oversubscribed so worth trying to be as close as possible to a good school when you're looking to buy.

I moved from Zone 2 London to Hale, several years ago and we're about to move again to Timperley.

Trafford is excellent for schools, the tram gets you into the city centre quickly, Altrincham is fabulous for shopping and even better for eating/drinking. £500K will get you a 4/5 bedroom house in Timperley, £450K will get you a 3 bed period property in Hale.

As a relative newbie, I don't know the rest of Manchester that well.

As someone posted on a previous thread, i think Trafford council still has a grammar school system, which you may want to consider. Manchester doesn't (think there's one only, and "Manchester Grammar School" is fee paying!). Conversely if you're thinking of going private anyway.... Both Manchester high school for girls (no longer just a high school!) and Withington Girls School are quite good, as is Manchester Grammar (boys only).

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/2863054-Moving-to-Manchester

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/2735579-Relocating-to-Greater-Manchester-advice-sought

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2809549-To-ask-where-in-the-North-West-England-is-the-best-place-to-live

Thank you everyone!
We are moving from Inverness and live very rurally at the moment. However, we are definitely looking for something more town like but with a sense of community (might be asking too much?!?!)
We would like some nice restaurants that we could go on date night too on those rare nights off! It would be nice to be relatively close to some green space as the little one loves the outdoors. Are there any towns/villages outside of Manchester that you would recommend? We have thought about saddleworth but am worried there won't be enough young families or enough for to do for children (I may be completely wrong here..sorry if I am!)

Just to add..we previously lived on the border of London in Essex and loved that!

Definitely Altrincham, Wilmslow, Hale, parts of Timperley, Sale. All v des res and well connected.

I am also on the Essex / London border but would move back to Cheshire in a shot if I had a reason. If you like Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Wanstead etc all of the above will be right up your street.

That's so good to hear! Thank you so much! We lived in buckhursthill..I'd move back there in a heartbeat if I could! Looking forward to what Manchester/Cheshire has to offer though! Just so hard finding somewhere to live!

Consider Bramhall, Davenport and Cheadle Hulme too - not too far from the Mway network. Also Disley, Poynton and Derbyshire borders worth a look.

Lymm and knutsford are lovely and more on the outskirts

Ramsbottom?

Thank you all! We went down to have a look round last week and have fallen in love with Knutsford and wilmslow comes a close second! There's just not much on the market in Knutsford and wilmslow is quite pricey!!

I live in Bramhall having relocated from the South 6.5 years ago. I had my second child up here. It's a really friendly place with a villagy feel. Loads going on for babies and toddlers. I find it friendlier than Wilmslow. The primary schools are very good. High School improving. Cheadle Hulme High is very popular. The house prices are going a bit crazy this year. I recommend renting first so you know where you want to buy.

Has anyone got any views on Mobberley? Is it good for families? Or will it be too rural?

I've not much to add here. But "Withington Girls is quite good" is rather an understatement. It's one of the best schools, results wise, in the country.

Not sure how much goes on in Mobberley, I looked at a rental there and it seemed like a few main roads going through but not much there in terms of shops/cafes. Also the planes take off over Mobberley and Knutsford most of the time. Bollington is a popular rural. village.

Bollington is an attractive place - I drive through there every day.

Although many of these places are very nice, they are not Manchester. It just happens to be the nearest city. We live in Derbyshire. Just. It's lovely - semi-rural, amenities of local town very close by, including stations, and Stockport and Manchester easily accessible.

We're in Hale. A 3 bed terrace in the village would be £450k. My 4 bed semi a bit further out is about £550k. Lots of cafes, restaurants and bars; playgroups and children's activities can fill a magazine.

The tram from Altrincham takes 20 - 25 mins into Manchester. We are a short drive from several NT places, Dunham, Styal Mill and Tatton Park. You can get the train to Delamere Forest or on to Chester.

Local state primaries Stamford Park, Well Green, Bowden Church are excellent. There are Grammar Schools Alti Boys and Girls, St Ambrose and Loreto, and Sale Grammar. Also excellent are Wellington School or Knutsford High.

BUT not very multicultural if that's what you're looking for. It's middle class and a bit chi chi. I like that but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Have spent the day walking and drinking in Mobberley. There are quite a lot of newbuilds but rural Mobberley and the country walks / pubs are glorious. Not sure how active it is for a young family, but Knutsford and Hale / Altrincham only a short distance away. Certainly your money will go further in Mobberley than Knutsford and definitely Hale.

Thank you! I think we'll need to have a further look in Mobberley! Just feels like there's not loads that's decent on the market anywhere at the moment! I've found a couple of lovely houses in Bowdon..which I've heard is quite nice! Does anyone have any opinions on Bowdon?

Bowdon is lovely it's probably the most expensive part of Trafford though much more so than Wilmslow.
I live in Altrincham. I love where I live I can walk to Bowdon and to Hale. There is a ridiculous amount going on for kids because there are so many families in this area due to good schools.
We do have the Grammar system as others have mentioned but the high schools are really good too if you don't want to go down that road.
I have 4dc aged 11,6,3 and 2 and there is always something going on for them and nice places for us to eat/drink. If you are planning a visit any time soon check out the market area of Altrincham, great food and atmosphere.
I lived in Wilmslow/Alderley Edge/Mobberley for 10 years it's ok but I prefer where we are now. There's some nice pubs in Mobberley but that's about it.
I also love Knutsford and Lymm is nice too.

Oh one last thing, if you decided Altrincham/Hale/Bowdon is for you register with the estate agents and be prepared to move fast. Things go quick especially period properties. Properties between £400 and £650 move ridiculously quickly and a lot end up as sealed bids.

Bowdon is lovely - there is (roughly) a split down Langham Road (the main road that runs from the A556 Dunham Road to Hale / Altrincham. One side is properly classed as Bowdon Vale, the other side is Bowdon. Generally speaking Bowdon commands higher prices and I would say a slightly more mature resident (mainly due to prices). Bowdon Vale is much more family oriented because there are houses in a wide price range (although still v expensive compared to Manchester prices). Short walk to Hale & Altrincham.

The benefit of Bowdon is that its within Trafford (whereas Mobberley is East Cheshire). Bowdon primary schools are outstanding (Bowdon C of E regularly in the top schools nationally, the Bollin also outstanding but having a blip at the moment but sure it will be short lived). Altrincham Grammar School for Girls on your doorstep (actually Bowdon) and the boys' grammar minutes away (also on the Bowdon / Altrincham border). Other options (North Cestrian etc) close by.

400,000 and 600,000! They would be moving fast at £400!!