Macclesfield vs Poynton

[nv22]

Hi! We are considering between the two new developments - Bellway King's Quarter in Macclesfield (close to train station and groceries) or Bloor Homes Kingswood in Poynton (close to motorway). We have to commute daily to/from Alderley Edge. Do you have any recommendations or things I should consider while picking between the two areas?

We have 2 little girls and would like a nice area with parks/walks/amenities close by. Also considering that Macclesfield is almost 100k lower in price than Poynton when looking at similar size homes. We are hoping to stay for at least 5-8 years in this home so property resale value is important to us too. Thank you! xx

Join 'Poynton news and gossip', and 'Poynton advice and questions' on Facebook. They're both nice places but Poynton is a bitch to drive around because it's a 'shared space' meaning everyone has right off way, all pedestrians and cars alike. It's also very busy at rush hours. It also floods I don't know where that development is because I live in another village but I know it does flood regularly in Poynton.

Macclesfield is lovely, the drive to whaley bridge and the bridge bake house is gorgeous, there a big Tesco and a couple of pubs and eateries it's a bigger town centre so you might not get to know lots of people whereas Poynton has a lot of groups and 1 high street

Join 'the original macc chat' for info on Macclesfield on Facebook

@globletofFiyah thanks for the insight! very useful to know about the traffic situation from a local! I've just joined the FB groups you've recommended, see what else I can find out :)

I agree with the previous poster - I love Poynton but the shared space makes driving hellish and sadly that would put me off.

The commute from Macc to Alderley Edge is down one road and a really picturesque one at that! Macc has a choice of four state high schools if that's of interest to you. It also has Treacle Market on the last Sunday of every month which is vibrant and brings people out. It's more mixed than Poynton and further from Manchester (although the fast trains stop at Macc not Poynton).

They both have amazing access to beautiful countryside.

I live nearish, near New Mills, and work just outside Macc. Macclesfield is very provincial, used to be a thriving market town, but isn't so much now although it's improved a bit over the last few years. Poynton is much more like a suburb of Stockport/Manchester with a good high street, a Waitrose and an Aldi.

The Poynton relief road is under construction and there's easy access to A555 and A34 to get to Alderley Edge. If you're travelling away from Poynton at peak times, traffic won't be as bad. It's the centre that can be a pain, usually due to a single lane traffic light of some description. The shared space thing on its own isn't such a big deal.

I'd choose Poynton as I much prefer it.

I much prefer Macclesfield to poynton. Could you get air bnb for a week in either to get a feel?

I don’t know the Poynton development but with the Macc one you will be walking distance of the town centre, Sainsbury’s, the Hospital, Tytherington High School and the private school at Beech Hall which I think also has a nursery. You are also very close to Riverside Park and the Bollin Valley for walks.

Macc town centre is looking fairly run down these days but I still prefer Macc to Poynton on balance. However that’s without knowing what the Poynton development is like. It might be nicer than the Macc one.

@caffeinefirst thank you for your input. I did really like the convenience and location of the Macc development. I think i'll have to drive there one day during rush hour to get a sense of the traffic to see if it will become problematic or not. The Bloor development in Poynton looks gorgeous and it is built on what used to be green belt i believe. I did get caught in traffic once on that Chester road going from the new roundabout towards the poynton train station. Poynton feels more like a quaint village to me with one high street and lots of local shops.

In terms of property appreciating in value, would you say Macc has more of a competitive edge as it is at a lower price now? Is there any news on whether the town will have some funding in the future to improve the town center or anything that might trigger an increase of house prices? xx

I’m afraid Macc town centre is getting worse if anything. There has been a group of addicts/drunks that hang out outside the B&M who have recently been given ASBO’s I believe! The M&S is closing but there will be a Simply Food on the new development near the big Tesco. I was brought up in South Manchester so did have to smile at Poynton being a “quaint village”! The centre is quite nice now with the Waitrose but parking there can be a bit of a pain. I personally don’t like the traffic around Poynton and prefer being nearer the hills. But it’s personal choice. The other thing to consider travel wise is that it’s easier commuting to Manchester/Birmingham/London on the train from Macc as the fast trains stop there.

Commuting to Alderley Edge from Macc is a quick 10/15 minute drive. Maybe takes longer at rush hour.

I am not sure of prices in Macc necessarily being lower it’s just there’s probably a greater housing mix than Poynton which is more suburban. Macc’s an old mill town so terraces in the centre, a few council estates and more expensive suburbs.

Take care in terms of buying in Poynton. There was severe flooding there across quite a wide area a few years ago so your solicitor would need to check that out.

I didn't know M&S in Macc is closing - that'll be the death knell for the place. The proposed re-development anchored by a Debenhams(!) was shelved a few years ago.

oh man i didn't know M&S is closing!! it really was one of the "plus" on my list when i was looking at Macc (M&S and a Next lol). I did experience that double roundabout in Poynton right where the church is and it's quite chaotic...and i didn't like that everywhere is a single lane and you could easily be hitting the traffic. Is there anywhere else i should consider besides Macc/poynton then? this house hunting thing is so stressful

@nv22 what exactly do you require? Have you considered Disley or Marple?

Bollington is nice! It's just outside macc, smaller then macc, but nice pubs, schools and afew small shops, a co op, library and a butchers I think. Also I quite like macc, yes the town centre isn't what it once was but they have the retail park with a large next and a Matalan, pound stretcher Etc. There's also Stockport or Manchester if you preferred the shops there. Macc is very close to alderley edge for your commute.

@MissFritton65 Alderley Edge is where most of our clients are so we want the commute to be within 20 mins drive if possible. There are days where we need to go back and forth more than once a day so that's why we narrowed down to Poynton and Macc. We have looked at Chelford, Wilmslow, Woodford, Bramhall, Knutsford but they're either too expensive or has very little amenities. Both my husband and I drive but as we view this property as a long term investment, having good transport link would be a big advantage.

To be honest I’m of the view that nowhere is perfect. I know most South Manchester/Cheshire towns pretty well and all with have their pro’s and cons. I wouldn’t necessarily rule out Macc because the town centre isn’t very pretty/run down but it depends on what’s most important to you. I’ve recently met a couple of people who have moved from London to Macc and love it and also know someone who’s decided to move from Wilmslow to Macc because they prefer the surrounding countryside - so the town centre needn’t be a deal breaker but it’s a question of priorities. It’s ideal for a commute to Alderley.

M&S is moving - there will be a food shop near Tesco.

It's not all doom and gloom - parts of town are getting nicer - there's a couple of nice bars in Park Green (Red Willow and The Fountain), the area near Flour Water Salt/Plums has some nice outdoor seating, the Picturedrome is always lively, the Salt Bar is a cosy restaurant. Cinemac is a fab little cinema in the heritage centre.

There is a Next on the Retail Park towards Leek and a huge one at Handforth Dean

Agree with @LeekChic. There are some nice places to go in the town centre so whilst M&S closing may not be great I don’t think it’s the end of the world necessarily. Plum’s kitchen, Tempranillo wine bar, Flour, Water, Salt, cherry blossom bakery, Treacle Market - all good.

I agree with @Caffeinefirst; South Manchester isn't an easy place for house hunting as it is expensive in parts, the traffic can be terrible so compromise is the way forward!

What's your budget and how many bedrooms do you need? Are you fixed on a new(ish) house?

I am house hunting in a few areas including Poynton atm. I have been to see the Kingswood development and tbh I really wasn’t keen. Seemed to be a definite air of squishing in as many houses as is humanely possible and with so little off street parking I imagine all the roads will be clogged with cars once it’s finished. Woodford garden village next door much better but most of the houses there (not all) are super fancy.

I like Poynton though and you’re walking distance from the centre there.

Macc doesn’t work for us but I like it. Def consider Bollington- lovely there.

I personally think Macc is on the way down. Some areas are nice, but the centre is really dying.

We are not dead set on new builds, it just seems to be the easier option as we will have a clearer timeline and don't have to be in constant fear of not able to exchange contract. We have two primary aged children so we would like 4 bedrooms (one as a guest bed/study for when in-laws come). budget is around 500k. I've looked at the Redrow development in woodford and i do like their layouts and i like that they are building parks/schools within the area, however their house prices are not cheap. Their 3 bed terrace is asking from 460...

I really appreciate all of your insights, I do agree with @Caffeinefirst to her point that it's how we prioritize what's more important. I love going for walks and being close to the countryside would be so good for the kids. i have heard so many positive things about Bollington, but there aren't a lot of houses up for sale at the moment, i'll definitely keep an eye out and will go for a walk around there to scout. xx

I grew up in Poynton and go back regularly, also know Macc but not as well. As a child and teen, Poynton was boring with little to do and poor public transport. On that grounds I'd prefer Macc.

Poynton is getting crowded and there's unhappiness about the new housing estates as parking and getting a doctors appointment are already difficult. The town centre doesn't have much so you have to leave Poynton for most things.

Sorry I posted too soon! Hope that didn't sound too negative - it's a nice clean town and feels safe for families, but I wouldn't find it convenient.