Advice about Altrincham?

[lking679]

Hi all,

Been long considering a move back up North to be within an hour of the Wirral where my parents and sister live. Now my job in London only requires me going in couple of times a month it looks feasible to move.

I was thinking about Altrincham after a recent post on here about Cheshire locations. We wouldn’t move straight away currently pregnant, but would hope to move before dd2 needs to apply to schools in Jan 2025. Dd1 starting school this September and in year transfers do put me off but oh well.

We live in an extended 4 bed 1930’s semi, in todays money our budget would be £650k or a new house. Could I get something decent? With 3 dd’s I’d like 4 beds and not sure that’s feasible.

Is there anything to know about the area?
good primaries? Nice estates? I have a vague idea about the grammar school catchment but how are the high schools if 11+ not a goer?

let me know if there’s anything to consider?
very much a rough plan we’ll go on holiday to Cheshire next spring and see how we like it but I think I’m fed up of London!

Altrincham is nice and you would probably get a broadly comparable property for your budget, 1950s extended 4 bed semi. Timperlerly is a approx 1-1.5 miles north east of the centre of Altrincham and is a bit more family orientated and sedate maybe a little cheaper as well. There are basics in the village centre and easy access to Altrincham and the improving Sale.
Almost all Trafford schools are good but in year transfers can be difficult due to most being oversubscribed. At secondary level it is a Grammar area but at least some of the secondary moderns are high performing and sought after eg Wellington and Ashton on Mersey that I know of.
One think particularly if using the train to London it may not be that convenient and is expensive particularly at peak times. I used to travel to Birmingham for work and getting the first service on the Chester - Manchester line and changing at Stockport only got me to Birmingham for a scheduled 08:58 arrival and 3 years ago was costing £100. You could get the tram to Piccadilly and train from there but its making your day longer.
Good luck

You won't get a mansion but your budget should get you a 4 bed semi (probably similar to what you're in now) in a decent neighbourhood. There's 7 pages of such properties on rightmove at the moment within a 3 mile radius of Altrincham (which extends to Hale, Timperley and parts of Sale).

Anywhere within easy walking distance of a Metrolink station will carry a premium but your kids will thank you for it as they get older. The bus service locally isn't great IMO.
If you're commuting to London then you're often easiest driving to Stockport and getting on the train there as you can be back home while the train is still going into Manchester Picaddilly.
Wellington High School tends to be highly regarded although I know someone who was bullied terribly there. If you're Catholic then Blessed Thomas Holford in Altrincham has also pulled its socks up in recent years. If your eldest is only just starting primary then a lot could change with the high schools by the time you need them, I would focus on the primary school catchments. Don't just look at exam results though, I would go and visit and get a feel for the school.
I would also look at road layouts and consider the traffic which can be horrendous e.g. I wouldn't want to live somewhere that only had one way in or out of the estate via Washway Road.

The catchment areas for high schools this year has reduced dramatically. Some areas now have no catchment area at all. Some Children in Altrincham have been allocated a Lostock High, it’s that bad. However, there are buses and if you are allocated a school 3+ miles away you will qualify for a free bus pass. 2miles + for primary schools. A lot only got choices 4 or 5. House prices are rising at a rapid rate. A tiny 3 bed semi went on for £420k yesterday in West Timperley. Another 4 bed is on at £850k. Timperley seems to be a little lower in price.

Sorry, I was on a bus as I typed the above. There have been issues reported at several primary schools over the years (check ofsted and local press) with local parents either paying for APS/MGS or hoping to get into other local schools. Broadheath Primary School is an excellent school and can highly recommend it. It’s right by a family friendly pub for morning tea and amazing cakes, a gym to burn it off and a Waitrose. Altrincham generally is very nice (bar yesterdays murder!) with lots of facilities, lovely bars, restaurants and markets.

Thanks all!

Is Altrincham in Cheshire?

Historically yes. Its postcode is Warrington (which is definitely Cheshire) but it's now part of Trafford, Greater Manchester.

House prices are a bit silly at the moment but you'd get 4 bedrooms for £650K near Altrincham no problem (maybe just not over a large sq ft). Things aren't moving at the moment and I've seen a few reductions (although very little stock as no-one can afford to move and everyone's just extending).

Bollin Primary School was the inadequate school back in 2020 that I think @Needtostaypositive is talking about but I understand that it's now looking quite good. The catchment for Wellington secondary was 0.84 miles for this Autumn's intake but if your eldest is only starting school this year, you've some time before thinking about that.

However, if you're regularly travelling to London, I wouldn't pick Altrincham as you have to either change at Stockport or travel into town. It's a PITA. I'd be maybe looking at Macclesfield or if your family is in Wirral, Chester if that commute is important.

I had a massive culture shock, moving up from London but after 8 years in Hale then Timperley, I wouldn't move back.

We live near Altrincham and have been looking for PIL. You can get a bit more for your money in Wilmslow and it is on a direct line to London.

Think you currently need to change at Crewe for Wilsmlow - London but I don't know whether that's just Avanti being dreadful at the moment.

I moved from London to Altrincham and wish I hadn’t. It’s very superficial. Where I am £650k would get you a 3 bed terrace with a small garden. Maybe off road parking. Altrincham really seems to have deteriorated in the last 10 years, its quite depressing. The crime rate is high too even before the weekend stabbing. I know 3 victims of armed robberies but they were all detached houses. Good points: there’s an Everyman cinema, lots of supermarkets and a ton of over priced restaurants.

Altrincham C of E’s ofsted rating is requires improvement. The issues with the Bollin were isolated and now the headteacher from Tyntesfield is there it all seems to have calmed down.

Crime is an issue unfortunately. Over the last week there has been a murder and a mugging (for a Rolex watch). Issues around Altrincham interchange and on the trams too. Where we live there has been a car jacking, lots of break ins and car thefts over the years. The area seems to be targeted for a few months then it goes quiet. We haven’t experienced this directly as we are careful with our home security.

The Market area is lovely but very expensive. Lots of shops have closed so it’s mainly food and drink now. There used to be a House of Fraser and a Debenhams but these have gone. The local leisure centre is to undergo an extensive upgrade but the Altair development seems to have stopped. Like a previous poster has said there are lots of supermarkets, with a Lidl opening soon in Broadheath.

I rarely go into Altrincham nowadays but it’s very accessible by bus or tram. Bus fares are being capped from next month too.

I’m not a fan of Altrincham and echo the above it’s not as nice as it was ten or even 5 years ago.

The big asda is good though…

Actually the market area has completely changed the dynamic of the town - there will be people who do not like that, others who do. For me, it's a really vibrant, buzzing atmosphere. The actual market is brilliant and the Market House and surrounding area (with all the restaurants / bars) is really popular. Transport is excellent (the tram is expensive but so convenient) and obviously schools are a massive pull. The grammar school results are off the chart (and were higher than the well known independents this year) but it's not right for everyone and you do need to look at high schools carefully and their ever decreasing offer distances.

For a young family there are all manner of toddler groups / sports clubs etc and a real sense of community. I suppose you get out what you're prepared to put in. In year transfers will be tricky as almost all schools are over-subscribed. You may have to consider a school that isn't your ideal choice whilst you wait for an opening. However, look at the admissions criteria because depending on timing, it may be that applying / being offered a place for DC2 may move DC1 up the waiting list under sibling priority.

House prices are higher than anywhere else outside of the South East and family houses often go to best and final offers. I would consider renting as it's difficult to coordinate a sale & purchase when you're not local, and also to get a feel for the area before you buy.

To be fair, House of Fraser and Debenhams have gone from every high street! I really like the market development, it's much better than it was a few years ago. As a family place to live I think it's a great area.

Lane 7 Bowling are supposed to be moving into the basement of the House of Fraser which I know I'll use far more than the retailer.

I've never had an experience of crime in the 8 years I've lived in the area (touch wood) although I am aware of the muggings and many drives have bollards to prevent car theft. I doubt there's more crime in Alty than other areas of Manchester.

@Zampa thats good to know re the bowling alley! Any idea on other businesses going in there? I’m really liking the regeneration of Sale ATM and Broadheath. There is a new pizza bar and restaurant about to open next to Kickback Coffee as well as an Armenian restaurant that we will be trying. Lots of good options as we are very accessible to all three places :)

Knutsford is nicer than Altrincham. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116403836#/?channel=RES_BUY

Knutsford is nice but I couldn't be doing with the plane noise. Weirdly, seeing as it's so close to the airport, Altrincham doesn't seem to be affected by the flight path.

I've lived here for 23 years and must have completely missed that! There was a stabbing, late at night, but then I wouldn't venture to most towns late at night. The area of Sale, Altrincham and Didsbury are by far the best in Greater Manchester. House prices are a secure investment, the town centres are reasonable and have good transport links, crime isn't that bad. I've never witnessed any crime or know any locals who have been a victim of crime. The above areas are nice areas to live. They can't be compared to some of the wealthy London suburbs for anything, but where can? This is largely because Manchester, the local city, in no way compares to London.