Flixton / Urmston - on the up?

[GMhousehunter]

Hi all,

I wondered if any Mancunian MNetters would be able to share their thoughts on the Flixton and Urmston areas?

I've heard that the areas between Flixton, Abbotsfield and Davyhulme parks are ok, but west Flixton / near the ship canal isn't so good. Is that fair?

Would you say it's a good area for families? I know there's been a bit of a house price bubble there recently, and prices even for terraces are quite steep, but is it likely to keep going or has it reached a ceiling?

Any thoughts appreciated

Interested to know too Op.

I think it's always been a solid family area. The prices tell you which parts are more sought after and cheaper prices reflect less desirable pockets. Its popular because of the schooling at primary & the grammar school (coming within Trafford) but cheaper than other parts of South Manchester. Good transport links (bus and train into town, tram from the Trafford Centre) and talk of trying to create an Altrincham Market style venue at the old market.

I'm worried how much more expensive it can get. It's a good family area. It was always a lot more down to earth than the more expensive places (alty, hale, even Didsbury and Chorlton). Less going on than any of these places but that's fine if you didn't need much in the way of bar or restaurants. Now there's been an attempt to open various bars and restaurants but the pandemic has pretty much put paid to a lot of those businesses. I don't see the food market getting built any time soon. Bit of a pre-pandemic idea that. I suppose the hope is it goes the way of altrincham but its smaller and hasn't got the infrastructure or is as close to Cheshire.

I'm stuck in Urmston because of schools but it depends if you're happy living in a semi. I'd always hoped to move to a detached but there's nothing bigger than my house thats worth the fortune they are asking. I keep seeing better priced, nicer houses in Bowden so I'd love to just move there for the money, but school etc.

Steer clear of Davyhulme. Too close to the sewage works and the smell can be awful. It's a shame because some of the nicer bigger houses are that way.

Don't rule out Stretford. Closer to the tram an a lot of development planned. Squeezed between Chorlton and Urmston its still pricey.

Flixton is nice. I think around Irlam road or near flixton park is nice. Nothing much going on but its only a stone's throw from Urmston for shops and a few cafes etc.

You won't swap Urmston for Bowdon prices @ZenNudist, Bowdon is much more expensive.

I also wouldn't rule out all of Davyhulme, covers a large area. Do your research, visit at different times.

Africa you'd think, but I have definitely found houses in hale and Bowden going cheaper than I'm looking at for a 5 bed detached in Urmston. They are like hens teeth. There was one off hale road for £900k with its own annex absolutely beautiful compared to the massive doer upper in centre of Urmston for £850 plus needed a complete refurb.

The I saw a £700k back to brick refurb near st Ambrose 5 bed detached (I know this is alty) again, cheaper to do that than spend £850 plus refurb costs in Urmston. It wasn't as big admittedly.

And all the ones nearer the airport advertised as Hale.

House prices are driven predominantly by proximity to good schools and then commutable distances to major cities for work. Urmston/Flixton has both, but the pandemic and 'new normal' for work from home means that it's impossible to know what house prices will do over the next couple of years.

I would personally avoid all of Davyhumle due to the sewage works, on a bad day the smell drifts quite far and no matter how many times you visit a property, you can't guarantee it's out of smell shot, it just depends which way the wind blows and how bad it is that day. UU have been promising for 15+ years to improve it, but never have.

The nightlife definitely isn't as lively as other areas mentioned, precovid there was always nice small independent bars and restaurants in Urmston itself, pretty sure that will continue.

I don't think it's ever been that "down" to be on the "up". It's a good family area and there's some good schools. Prices will always be at a premium due to the Trafford Grammar school system. It's a bit more cut off for public transport depending on where you want to get to but Urmston town centre has had a good revamp and has some good shops and cafes / bars now.

The I saw a £700k back to brick refurb near st Ambrose 5 bed detached (I know this is alty)
If it's near St Ambrose that's Hale Barns not Altrincham!

As above, Urmston has been a solid quiet ish family area for absolute decades.

I do worry about all these prices going up & up. Friends of mine are now priced out of Stretford let alone Urmston!

Seriously how stinky can it be in davyhulme? I am looking for houses near Trafford retail park.

Pretty stinky @jameslee1222! Even though United Utilities have invested a significant amount of money in reducing the odour issues. It's one of the biggest sewage works in the country I think. I frequently cover my nose when driving over Barnton Bridge on the M60!

I don’t think it’s that bad, a friend lives near the Nag’s Head roundabout, towards the retail park, & I never notice it when I visit her.

Thanks everyone. Then I'd simply avoid the entire davyhulme