Relocating to south Manchester

[Huncamuncaa]

We are out growing our current house and aware that where we live doesnt have good secondary schools. Also we are not in love with the area and cant see ourselves long term.

I have worked in South Manchester so know it a bit and have a few friends there. Really like it and obviously the schools are great.

What are the opinions of people who live there? Moving is a bit of a daunting prospect as one dc is happy in school. However hes only young and I feel like a move now would be easier on him and the other isn't yet in nursery.

Vaguely looking at what we could afford for the space we want and Timperley seems affordable. What is it like? Any other areas to consider? Want a place with good public transport and some nice cafes not too far away.

I want to get this right as I want to feel like it is a place to stay long term.

Timperley is nice, altrincham moreso if you can afford. I'm from cheadle hulme, though I not longer live there (not much surf in cheadle hulme)
I'd say stay in the outskirts as once you get closer like fallowfield and rusholme it's more 'rough' and crime is rife.

If you wanted that area too by the way cheadle hulme is nice, handforth wilmslow and bramhall..tho it's technically Cheshire then. Good transport to the city.

It depends where you work. For example
I worked in Sale and getting from CH to Sale was a ballache on busses, nearly 2hours

Thanks for the advice. We like altrincham but timperley looked more affordable. Will look at those other areas

Trafford has the best schools so Altrincham, Timperley and sale all good and on the tram lines, but you will be in the grammar school system so depends on your opinion on that.

Wilmslow / bramhall / Cheadle all lovely and feel a bit more leafy / countryside and less urban.

Heaton moor also nice.

Timperley is nice, I grew up there. It's got a lot busier over the years but hasn't everywhere! Where are you moving from? Sale is also nice, Altrincham has loads going on but is getting more expensive. Feel free to pm me.

Have you looked at Urmston?

It's cheaper than Altrincham and very up and coming in terms of the town centre, lots of nice bars, restaurants, parks etc..

Schools also great as it's Trafford.

Timperley is great, just be careful with school catchments (I see thats one of the reasons for moving). Most people living there opt for Wellington for secondary if grammar school isn't appropriate, but it has a very small catchment (about 1 mile) so if its a long term move, just do your research about schools.

Thanks that's helpful

You’re mostly in Trafford with those areas, if you want South Manchester- Chorlton & Didsbury are IMHO the best areas, great schools & nice cafes/ restaurants, house prices are expensive compared to Trafford.

Our main motivation for moving would be schools so we need to get that right. Part of the appeal is the grammar school system but it's a long way off so may not be appropriate for our children. My friends rave about Trafford schools in general but are there any you would avoid? I dont want to take a gamble on finding the right house in a one mile catchment area!

We live in Cheshire now. We both have long commutes but also both likely to change jobs so the move wont completely solve that problem.

Where we live now is fine. The primary schools are good but secondaries aren't and theres not much choice. The kids are happy here (safe for playing out, near a park etc.) But theres not much for them as they get older. We drive more than I'd like at the weekend and if we have friends visiting I always take them out somewhere else as there isn't much on our doorstep.

I just want to find somewhere which would suit us all long term. I moved a lot as a kid so I dont feel rooted anywhere. It's made me realise i dont want the same for our kids.

Chorlton and Didsbury don't come under Trafford (but that's not to say they don't have good schools). In the past, children from other areas such as Chorlton & Didsbury have gone to the Trafford Grammars, but they're becoming more "local".

It depends which grammar schools you are looking at - Sale has a priority catchment by postcode (in the main) - have a look on their website. Altrincham Boys Grammar has a relatively small catchment (again by postcode) and it is increasingly difficult to get in from out of catchment now. Altrincham Girls has a large catchment (8 miles) but they don't always go out that far - they often fill their places by around the 5 or 6 mile point.

Sale High / Wellington / Altrincham College of Arts / North Cestrian / Ashton on Mersey are the alternatives locally. Go and visit them - they all have a different feel and if you have friends locally, ask them. Even if they don't have children there at the moment, most people know of the schools and have an opinion.

Thanks for your help!

I've heard Sale High isnt the best. .

If possible get somewhere very near Wellington High as it is an excellent alternative if your DC are not successful with the entrance exams.