Looking for a Flat in Manchester area

[lillyvalley]

Hi, we're from overseas and looking to purchase a 2 bedroom flat in Manchester, our budget is about 150k. I'm really having trouble finding anything on Rightmove that seems to be in a good area. I realize City Center location may be out of our reach so open to anywhere in the Greater Manchester region. We want to be reasonably close to shopping, transport, etc (no personal car/driving)..would really appreciate your recommendations. Thanks in advance!

I’d suggest renting for 6 months or so before purchasing, so you get a feel for the area. Also, my DH is from overseas & we needed a 25% deposit with most mortgage companies as he couldn’t demonstrate a long credit history here - not sure if you are already living in the U.K., but something to bear in mind.

Have a look at the tram lines in Manchester, they will take you into town quickly. Somewhere like Prestwich has a village type feel with bars, cafes, delis etc without having to venture into town.

I’d avoid the student areas of Hulme & Fallowfield. I lived Old Trafford/Whaley Range way and found it a good location - close to town but also close to Chorlton/Didsbury and good transport links.

oh thank you so much for your suggestions! We've stayed a few times in the city center which has been very convenient but i don't think our budget will allow us to buy there. To be honest, as long as we're close to a tram like you suggested, a park and some shops, I think we'll be happy. I have two teenage boys so really concerned about safety especially at night if they're walking home and that sort of thing. Most "good areas" I've checked don't have a lot of flats available it seems. Will check out the places you mentioned. Thanks again!

Also, we don't need a mortgage so credit history etc not an issue...

Have you looked at Media City? Really close to City Centre, tram, restaurants & shopping centre but cheaper than town.

Maybe have a look around Chapel Street in Salford. It's more or less Manchester City Centre or walking distance but cheaper.

Something like this:

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/58212155/?search_identifier=6cdc913c2c072f51a4e0de850a7bec35

@Africa2go

Have you looked at Media City? Really close to City Centre, tram, restaurants & shopping centre but cheaper than town.

Yes I did...closest to our budget I found are: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/92718227#/ and www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/104754767#/

which I'm not too sure about. What do you think?
This is a second home for us but I can't help being picky!

[quote united4ever]Maybe have a look around Chapel Street in Salford. It's more or less Manchester City Centre or walking distance but cheaper.

Something like this:

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/58212155/?search_identifier=6cdc913c2c072f51a4e0de850a7bec35[/quote]
thanks @united4ever. I plan to contact the agent today for this one. It's actually the closest to the City Center i've seen that's available. Keeping my fingers crossed!

@MaverickDanger

I’d suggest renting for 6 months or so before purchasing, so you get a feel for the area. Also, my DH is from overseas & we needed a 25% deposit with most mortgage companies as he couldn’t demonstrate a long credit history here - not sure if you are already living in the U.K., but something to bear in mind.

Have a look at the tram lines in Manchester, they will take you into town quickly. Somewhere like Prestwich has a village type feel with bars, cafes, delis etc without having to venture into town.

I’d avoid the student areas of Hulme & Fallowfield. I lived Old Trafford/Whaley Range way and found it a good location - close to town but also close to Chorlton/Didsbury and good transport links.

what do you think of Reddish/Stockport..I've seen a few properties there but not sure about the area... i.e www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90504211#/ www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90464611#/ www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86190640#/

??

If it's a second property then what's your motivation for buying it.....holiday and weekends away, midweek crash pad for someone working in Manchester, investment property with rental opportunity.....??
There's a lot of places where it would be ok to buy if you were living there fulltime and it was all you could afford but I'm not sure they're places you'd typically want to spend your holidays in!

The apartment on Chapel Street wil be very very noisy It's at the junction of 2 extremely busy roads. If its on one of the lower floors then the top deck of the many buses that pass will be right next to your balcony while they queue at the lights.
You have to ask yourself why it's so cheap.
It's walking distance to the city centre though

@emmathedilemma

If it's a second property then what's your motivation for buying it.....holiday and weekends away, midweek crash pad for someone working in Manchester, investment property with rental opportunity.....?? There's a lot of places where it would be ok to buy if you were living there fulltime and it was all you could afford but I'm not sure they're places you'd typically want to spend your holidays in!

Our boys are going to school in the UK and we've been to Manchester a few times so decided to buy here. so really it's for school breaks when they wouldn't be coming home, somewhere to stay when we're in town, not a full time home at all but an investment property. I imagine we will either sell or rent it out in a few years.

@Livingmyobituary

The apartment on Chapel Street wil be very very noisy It's at the junction of 2 extremely busy roads. If its on one of the lower floors then the top deck of the many buses that pass will be right next to your balcony while they queue at the lights. You have to ask yourself why it's so cheap. It's walking distance to the city centre though

thank you for this insight! I plan to visit it soon. Noisy isn't good at all :(

what do you think of Reddish/Stockport..I've seen a few properties there but not sure about the area...
I live really close to here and would definitely recommend the area (I'm not from Stockport originally). You are close to Heaton Moor which has plenty of nice bars/restaurants/independent shops, and about a mile to Heaton Chapel train station which takes you to Manchester City centre in about 10 minutes. You can also get to Stockport Town centre in about 5 mins and although the shopping centre isn't up to much there are great independent shops and bars popping up all the time.
You are also close to the M60 which will get you to the Trafford Centre in about 10 mins if you want that shopping mall experience.

Plus 15 minutes to the airport which is handy if you're coming from overseas!

OK, if you're not after a city centre party pad then Reddish is probably ok, but it's not an area I know at all.

Rule of thumb in Manchester is that, generally you get more bang for your buck northside rather than southside, and west rather than east. The posher areas tend to be south and south-west, the working class areas north and east. Of course, exceptions, eg. Prestwich (mentioned above) which is northside, and Longsight and other areas in a band just south of the City Centre, which can be rough. As in any city better areas rub shoulders with rougher ones eg. Media City is across the road from the Ordsall council estate, which has a reputation - but that wouldn't put me off buying there.

With that sort of budget you are always going to have to compromise on the flat / location. There a a few on the Chorlton/ Stretford borders with good access to both the city centre and the wider Trafford area. Alternatively Monton in Eccles has some options and you probably get more for your money. There area a few trendy bars etc along Monton Road but the trade off is its a little less easy to get to the Met station.
There are a few options in Cheadle / Gatley Sk8 which are close to the airport but the suburban train service isnt as good for getting into the city centre.

Offerton - no, sadly, lots of problems.
Reddish - solid working class, not fashionable, not awful. I used to live opposite that mill many many years ago!
It's very easy for teens to get the bus into town, very frequent main service nearby, and there's a train station going to town and down to Marple Disley etc, but no trams in Stockport which is a shame.

You’d be lucky to get anything in chorlton/whalley range for less than 180k in this market
The heatons may be your best bet

@Winederlust

what do you think of Reddish/Stockport..I've seen a few properties there but not sure about the area... I live really close to here and would definitely recommend the area (I'm not from Stockport originally). You are close to Heaton Moor which has plenty of nice bars/restaurants/independent shops, and about a mile to Heaton Chapel train station which takes you to Manchester City centre in about 10 minutes. You can also get to Stockport Town centre in about 5 mins and although the shopping centre isn't up to much there are great independent shops and bars popping up all the time. You are also close to the M60 which will get you to the Trafford Centre in about 10 mins if you want that shopping mall experience.

Thanks for the suggestion. Not a lot on the market that meets our requirements unfortunately...I saw a property today but seems to be too close to an industrial park. I think we will increase the budget to stay near the city center for the convenience.

@lastqueenofscotland

You’d be lucky to get anything in chorlton/whalley range for less than 180k in this market The heatons may be your best bet

What do you think of this in Whalley Range? Is this an ok area? www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/105511829#/

You could try Stretford or Sale. Stretford's further in, Sale you're never far from a tram line really. There are a few city centre ones going for 160k, if you can push to it.