Stretford, Manchester- opinions please

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Hi all, I'm a single mum of 2 DS aged 13 and 11 and I'm thinking of moving to Stretford. Would love to buy in Chorlton but I can't afford it and Stretford seems to be on the up. I would love to hear from anyone who lives/has lived there about what it's like. Is there much community spirit? Is it safe? What are the different parts like and which which streets should be avoided? Is it a good place to raise teenagers? Looking forward to your responses, many thanks 😊

Anyone?

What area are you in now? Are the boys already in high school? I grew up near there and AFAIK there's still some nice family areas then some decidedly ropier ones, do you know the area at all?

I'm in Manchester already but don't know Stretford that well. I need to be able to get into the city centre easily for my job. One DS already in high school but having a crap time so want to move him, other one is in last year of primary.

I loved living in Stretford. I never felt unsafe but its like anywhere - do your homework. Go at different times of day and see what the specific area is like. Suss out who your neighbours might be.

Can recommend the sip club for drinks/community events, and their sister restaurant (i forget the name!). The stretford arndale is a bit tired but Aldi is nearby. The trams are convenient too.

I've seen estate agents refer to Gorse Hill, Firswood and Victoria Park, any opinions on these areas? Which bits should I avoid?

Personally I'd avoid getting too close to Old Trafford. And check about things like parking permits on match days etc. I have friends who live near Victoria Park and that seems to be a nicer bit from what i know.

There's an M32 facebook group if you're on fb and a 'friends of victoria park' website which should give you an idea of where things are and what the issues are.

Thanks, checking out the local Facebook page seems like a good idea. I think I just need to go for a wander about. I've presumed that trying to be nearer to Chorlton border is my best bet, but perhaps I should be looking at the middle of Stretford to be nearer to shops etc, especially as they are supposed to be sprucing it up a bit

2 important considerations are whether you can move the ds's school, especially as applications for year 7 are now closed, secondly what's your budget? Gorse Hill was awful when I was younger, the areas closer to Urmston were better.

@MustDust my budget is 250k, I know a lot of people move to Trafford for the schools, but as it's the only borough in Manchester with a grammar school system and my children probably wouldn't pass the entrance exam I'm wondering if that's a good thing. They would probably end up at Stretford High School which is rated as 'requires improvement' by ofsted. The grammar schools cream off the brighter/wealthier kids and the regular state schools don't seem to be doing very well results wise

For those saying avoid getting too close to Old Trafford, OP please avoid the scaremongering! I've lived for the early years of my life on what can be called the border of old Trafford and chorlton. We lived a very happy life there, I only moved after uni for work opportunities. If you try firswood (this is right next to Stretford) or like I mentioned the border of old Trafford/chorlton that will be closer to the Chorlton vibe and slightly cheaper prices. I could walk to the centre of chorlton where all the cafes/restaurants/parks were from where we lived.

@isitfridayyet1 thanks, I've had a drive around there and Old Trafford borders actually look pretty pleasant to me, and like you say, you can get a lot more for your money than in Chorlton

I lived in Stretford for a few years but it was a while ago (about 2005-2008). We were in Lostock and I'm afraid I didn't enjoy it much. At that time we relied on the 256 bus - no tram - and it generally felt neglected and a bit depressing. The Stretford Arndale is truly grim, and at that time there were no nice shops, cafes, restaurants or pubs - though that might have changed. Some of the youth who hung out at the Co-op near us seemed a little... unruly! When I fell pregnant we decided to move out of the area.

@MotherofPearl out of interest, where did you move to? Are you still there now?

I'd say firswood if you can it's got very good transport links being on the Metrolink line

Didsbury OP, and still here now. Wouldn't be able to afford it now though - we moved here just before the 2008 financial crash. I agree with pp who say that it does depend on where you are in Stretford. We were in a crummy bit, but the other side of a Chester Road - I mean the side of the tram stop - is very nice. Good luck, whatever you decide.

@MotherofPearl Didsbury, lovely, you made a good move there. A little out of my price range unfortunately 😊

Stretford encompasses an enourmous area.
I’d go for firswood if you can afford it.

Whalley Range could be worth considering also

Yes, when I've flung the net a bit wider when doing property searches Whalley Range has come up. Will look into that, not sure if it has a centre/high street but seems pleasant enough

It has a bit of a high street with a few shops. Like a Tesco express/coop/ home bargains and some African/Asian food shops. No bars or owt but easy to get to chorlton, and you have Alex park which has a lovely cafe

It's a shit hole.
Pretty much the whole of south manchester is.
I can't wait to get out of here.

😂 calm down strongerin.

OP if you do look at Whalley Range, just watch out for the student heavy streets (lots of to let signs, on a good bus route etc). They really do damage the community feel of an area, as even if they are nice, they leave after a year.

@Strongerin2020 I'm sorry to hear you're not enjoying living in South Manchester, sounds like you're having a bit of a crap time there. Out of interest, where are you thinking of moving to?

You can say calm down but after living here for 30 years, the amount of burglaries, muggings, threatening behaviour, drug deals and antisocial behaviour me and my family have experienced from the people living here I don't think I will.

Last week my sons bike was stolen at knifepoint.

First time he took it out after Xmas.

He also had his phone taken after school by some cunts on mopeds in September.

So no I won't calm down.

It's a shit hole. And I'm stuck here.

So if you have a CHOICE. Stay away

I'm sorry that you have it bad, but you can't just dismiss the whole of south manchester because of wherever you particularly live. I've lived in south manchester (and not a 'nice' part) on and off (mostly on) for over 30 years and I like coming home to this city. I have been burgled, once, but I don't blame the area.

I have family in Withington, Chorlton, Whalley Range, Stretford, Hulme who all say the same.

Join any of the local FB pages and all you will see is warnings of burglars and muggers, scam artists trying to get in people's homes and car thefts

It's not just my experience. It's hundreds of people everyday waking up to smashed cars and all sorts of other shite.

My neighbour was burgled and the police NEVER EVEN CAME Out because she didn't have CCTV. they said it was a busy period for it (mid Dec) and just gave her a crime number for her insurance.

Crime is rife in South Manchester and its just getting worse year after year.

Parents are collecting their TEENAGE kids from school because it's not safe for them to walk home locally. They are being targeted by phone and bike thieves.

Absolutely sick of it.

It's not one or 2 incidents Iver the year. It's CONSTANT.