Manchester, Birmingham or Newcastle?

[Mirrorxx]

I’m hoping to get sone advice from people who live in these areas. We currently live in north Manchester but have the option to work in any of the 3 cities. It feels like if we don’t make the move in the next couple of years we will never will but we just can’t seem to decide what to do.
We like living in Manchester but since getting our dog we have found it to not be that dog friendly, especially with dogs not being allowed on the tram. House prices have also got very expensive in the areas we want to live in.
So if you were looking for somewhere dog friendly, good public transport, good schools and vegan friendly where would you live?
We would ideally like to spend no more than 500k but could go to 600/650.

Of those three with you’re requirements I’d say Manchester hands down. I think it’s super dog friendly, just not allowed on trams. Of the other two Newcastle I prefer and you get a lot for your money, but is smaller than Manchester.

@lastqueenofscotland thank you for your reply. I think we are just living in the wrong area of Manchester then. At the moment we have to travel to go out for dinner/drinks and that means driving as we can’t take our dog on the tram so my Dh can’t drink.
Any suggestions of better areas? We like Didsbury but don’t think we can afford it now

I have lived in Manchester and Birmingham. I personally much preferred Birmingham, lots of lovely leafy suburbs to live in which are dog friendly, easy to get to the city centre, the people are super friendly.

@Charlottemh could you suggest any areas to look at? Thanks

If you had 600ish the areas around Burton road, and obviously chorlton.
Whalley range also.

You can't take dogs on the West Midlands Metro either, so Birmingham wouldn't offer any advantage in that sense.

I think you can take them on the Nexus but I've never tried it myself.

Personally I'd err towards Manchester or Birmingham. But yes, if you like eating out etc you've probably got more options south Manc than north.

(Nexus = the Tyne and Wear tram system)

There's a fair amount around Chorlton (M21) around your price range. It's definitely vegan friendly area and you've got easy access to the Ees and the water parks for dog walks. Easy to tram, bus or drive to the city centre. Didsbury is probably out of price range but Withington is probably do-able although a lot more mixed.
Primary schools are all pretty good and secondaries you've got a fair number around including CHS South who just moved to a new building and Didsbury High which has only been open a couple of years but is part of a good trust

What about the Heatons? SK4 area. Houses have gone up a lot but the area is changing and has its own little bar and good scene now. Definitely dog friendly

Are you actually in North Manchester now or somewhere like Prestwich or Whitefield? They have a very different vibe to South Manchester

South Birmingham is leafy and has lots of parks. Well connected to the City centre via the Cross City Line which allows dogs.

This is a great little article on places which allow dogs biteyourbrum.com/ramblings/best-dog-friendly-pubs-cafes-and-restaurants-in-birmingham-city-centre/

@Councilworker we are in whitefield now but previously lived in salford quays and Didsbury. I think we are definitely priced out of Didsbury now

I live in the Heaton’s. Great schools, restaurants, coffee shops, parks etc. we also have a dog & he’s allowed in most places. Regular trains in & out of Manchester too.

Chorlton sounds perfect. Unicorn grocery shop would be vegan heaven. Got the water park and Mersey valley within walking distance. Great for eating and drinking. Not sure on price though. Depends what you would expect to get for 600k ish.

@united4ever we would need at least 3 bedrooms and sone outside space. Ideally a large kitchen and more than one bathroom.

Chorlton is very vegan friend and fab for dog walking. Or I would look at Whitley Bay ( coastal town very near newcastle).

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110680637#/?channel=RES_BUY
This house is very close to the Eeys. Which is an amazing dog walking area that connects rivers, lakes, forest and fields. You can walk for hours.

South Birmingham is lovely and you could get a fair bit for your money. Dogs are allowed on Buses/Trains and it's about £10 in a taxi back from the city centre.
I'd suggest Halesowen (Birmingham borders), Quinton, Kings Norton maybe too (the greener bits), Edgebaston/Harbourne too (less for your money but still plenty of space). It's a very dog friendly area.

It’s also 5 minutes or less walk to Beech road. All the restaurants and bars are dog friendly.

I’ve no idea about dogs on public transport in Newcastle, but I’d move back there instantly if everything aligned.

@WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110680637#/?channel=RES_BUY This house is very close to the Eeys. Which is an amazing dog walking area that connects rivers, lakes, forest and fields. You can walk for hours.

I agree it is a great location but that brook behind the fence has a flood risk albeit very low: www.getthedata.com/flood-map/chorlton-cum-hardy

Ah that’s a good point it is close to the brook. You get a 3 bedroom close by for that money no problem.

correction, I think it is outside the low risk zone even (think it's marked as the wrong end of that row of houses on rightmove map). It would be a great place to live.

You can take dogs on metros and buses in the Newcastle/North Tyneside area.

A quick look on right move brings up these properties:
Whitley Bay
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113863340

Whitley Bay
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114706925

North Shields
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110936003

Tynemouth
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114769553

They are all walking distance from metro stops, and decent bars/restaurants

As an aside, can your dog not even be left for a couple of hours in the evening?

Newcastle, without a doubt. Like @BikeRunSki I’d move back tomorrow if I could. I’m from there, and when visiting family there a few weeks ago, it seemed like every other person had a dog out and about on the coast. Gorgeous houses like this for way under your budget, 5 min from the beach, and about 25 min into central Newcastle on the Metro (dog friendly as far as I’m aware).

Marden Terrace, Cullercoats
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114712496

I've lived in Birmingham and Manchester, haven't been to Newcastle. I much prefer Manchester, there's much more going on and close to other nice cities. It's better for dogs imo with the peaks etc. Didsbury is really pricey, as is Chorlton now. The Heatons are nice, Urmston in Trafford is pretty up and coming and obviously has access to Trafford schools which are excellent.

In Birmingham, Stirchley is the hip new area, with a great little high street but old faves like Harborne, Moseley, kings heath are great, if a bit pricier.