Perfect Family Friendly area in Manchester and nice nursery recommendation

[Kaizen92]

Hello,

I'm starting a new thread here, even though there may already be hundreds of threads on the same topic. My query is a bit different, so here I go.

We are planning to move to Manchester this year from Nottingham. We are a couple with a 2.5-year-old toddler. Currently, he attends nursery, and it took us several visits to finalize one that suits our needs. It's hard to believe we have to go through the process again. My husband will go to city centre for his job (twice a week) and we do have a car but public transport link will be good if we can access easily.

I have two questions for which I'm hoping to get some useful links.

1. Firstly, could you please suggest some good nurseries in Manchester that focus on lots of outdoor play? I've read about Montessori schools, which seem interesting, and my child seems to be a good fit for this kind of education. However, I'm unsure if they truly follow the Montessori method. Please suggest nursery names that you think are good, where your kids feel safe and happy.

1. My second question relates to family-friendly areas in Manchester. Google suggests Sale, Altrincham, and Hale, mainly in the south of Manchester. However, the price range doesn't seem to offer much value for money, with small kitchens for £1000 per month. In the future, we see ourselves buying a house, and our budget is £250-300K. We won't be buying in these areas, so if you could suggest some nice, family-friendly areas where lots of families are similar to ours, that would be great. As a couple, we really like the suburban, slow-living vibe, with plenty of leafy, hilly areas and not too much hustle and bustle. We're not very fond of bars and pubs, but book clubs would be highly appreciated. Schools should be excellent, and there should be plenty of activities for kids, such as indoor play, swimming clubs, football clubs, and parks with rides, etc.

I'm confused about whether we should first look for a nursery and then choose a place, or vice versa. Also, I'm not sure if I should make a separate post for each of my questions. Please let me know.

Thank you so much for your attention.

Lymm is £££££

Thanks, haven’t really explored lymm but noted now.

what about primary schools? Have you done any research in the same area?

Thank you everyone, I had a question about Bramhall? How is this area? Is it quiet? how do you feel about this? We got quite a freehold house within our budget.

Just to mention again, Our priorities are:

1. Good primary school.
2. Parks near by for kids. Family friendly area.
3. Sports village/outdoor activities to do within the area as we are quiet sporty family swimming, gym etc.

Please share your opinion.

Bramhall is generally very nice. Lovely parks and good schools. Although if I remember correctly, there are some rougher areas north of Bramhall Park towards Davenport. But overall very leafy.

Yes Bramhall is nice, more expensive than neighbouring areas but for a reason. Leafy, and parts are properly posh. Nice village centre with good amenities. It’s near the a555 which is quick to get out into Cheshire and the airport etc

primary schools fine. Secondary-
Bramhall high has had bullying issues but recently got an excellent ofsted report, I think.

I don’t think public transport is great though. There is a train to Manchester but not very quick reliable or frequent. Not used it for a while, might have improved.

next door you have Cheadle Hulme which is also nice but less leafy and more trafficky. The (2?) secondary schools there are very well sought after, best in Stockport I think so that will affect house prices. Is on the same train line as Bramhall.

I searched and found this house, is it "good" in terms of locality?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145701323#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147184922#/?channel=RES_BUY

I don’t get it OP you’re talking about Bramhall and then Failsworth? They couldn’t be more different. I wouldn’t fancy the area those two houses are in but don’t know the area well enough.
if your budget is £200ishk that won’t get anything in Bramhall sadly

Don’t dismiss north Manchester. Bury and Bolton both have some excellent schools, access to open countryside, hills and easy travel into Manchester. Avoid some areas but you’d do that generally

Hi OP,

I grew up in Saddleworth and it’s a beautiful place and would tick most of your boxes. I live in Didsbury now as DH and I both work in South Manchester but would have happily settled in Saddleworth.

Beautiful hilly scenery, lots of family friendly activities, great nurseries and schools including outstanding primary schools like Holy Trinity in Dobcross and the high school (Saddleworth School) has just been rebuilt on a new site.

Have a look at Delph, Dobcross, Diggle and Greenfield. They’re all pretty, postman pat style villages with great communities. You won’t get a lot for your money but your money will go a lot further than areas like Altrincham, Sale, Didsbury etc. and it’s a lovely, safe, family-oriented area unlike some of the other more affordable areas being suggested on here which have high crime rates.

Transport links are good - you can park outside Greenfield train station and it’s 20 minutes into the city centre. There’s also regular buses or it’s a short drive to Oldham for the tram (but don’t live in Oldham itself, it’s awful)!

If you find Saddleworth is too expensive, Mossley nearby is similar but a bit more affordable - an “overspill” of Saddleworth if you like!

Happy to answer any questions!