What’s most important?

[fewtrees]

So I’m looking to buy and I’m from the south looking to move into the north around Manchester. What tips have you got about finding a great area that you’d wish you had known?

Just want to find a great area, cheers x

Check the crime maps out for the areas you are thinking of.

maps.cdrc.ac.uk/#/geodemographics/iuc18/default/BTTTFPT/10.669477252637748/-2.1698/53.4595/

This is useful in identifying different types of areas. I agree re crime rates. Also transport links.

As a young professional buying my first place I was most interested in a cool, vibrant area with lots of younger professionals but also somewhere good for my hobbies (river for rowing and a tennis club for tennis.

As a young family, I’d look for a family area with great schools, green spaces, easy commute and family amenities like baby and toddler classes, leisure centre, library, sports clubs + a suitable housing stock (preferring a detached property with a large garden).

So start off by working out what’s important to you.

I asked local estate agents to suggest areas that might be suitable and then went for a look myself.

I looked at how well maintained properties were, what cars were parked outside (day and night) and what the local shops / bars / restaurants were like.

I checked out transport routes and what the wider area was like. I didn't check crime statistics, that is a good idea.

I was going the opposite way to you, I was going to the South East, and ended up in St Margarets near Twickenham.

When I moved to Bristol I used London analogies - eg somewhere with a similar feel to Battersea and ended up in Clifton.

Sorry, forgot to say that I didn't have DC at the time. When we moved with DC the quality of schools and the safety of the local area was number 1.