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10 Best Places to Live in Manchester

Martha Lott

Written by

4th Feb 2019 (Last updated on 29th Nov 2023) 5 minute read

Manchester is famous for its iconic music scene, one of the most well known football teams in the world and also a vibrant and cultural history. With 1.15 million international visitors a year, Manchester ranks as the third most popular city in the UK. Many people are even choosing to move from London to Manchester.

Living in Manchester offers a multicultural, diverse and creative way of life, with over 200 languages spoken in the city. Compare My Move have put together this guide of the best places to live in Manchester to help you with your Manchester removals. If you’re wondering where to live in Manchester, we’re here to help.

  1. 1. Sale
  2. 2. Altrincham
  3. 3. Rusholme
  4. 4. Spinningfields
  5. 5. Prestwich
  6. 6. Didsbury
  7. 7. Castlefield
  8. 8. Ancoats
  9. 9. Chorlton
  10. 10. Salford
  11. Move to Manchester with Compare My Move
Manchester map

House prices from Rightmove

1. Sale

In 2018, Sale was voted the 4th best place to live in England. Housing varies from 1930’s Victorian and Edwardian detached properties to small terraced houses with semi-detached homes selling for an average of £318,401. Terraced properties sold for an average of £242,854 in the last year and flats for £153,301, according to Rightmove.

With 3 stops on the Metrolink, you can be in the city centre in as little as 20-minutes from Sale. As well as a great variety of primary and secondary schools in the area, Sale offers a warm community feel perfect for families or young professionals.

2. Altrincham

Crowned the best place to live in the North West in 2018, Altrincham offers something for everyone from Altrincham Grammar School for Boys to its wealth of Victorian and Edwardian properties.

Once a failing high street, Altrincham now plays home to celebrity footballers, holding the title for England's best high street. Property isn't the cheapest with Altrincham houses for sale at an average of £415,087 for semi-detached properties, detached for a massive £751,362 and flats selling for £246,447 on average.

Altrincham also offers good transport links with just a 13-minute drive to Manchester Airport.

3. Rusholme

Home to Curry Mile, a mile-long street filled with a variety of Asian cuisine restaurants and takeaways, Rusholme is one of the most attractive areas of Manchester for students due to its low rent prices.

With all-round affordable property, Rusholme terraced properties sold for an average of £143,986, flats at £118,802 and semi-detached properties averaged at £244,400 in the last year. If you want more for your money, then living in Rusholme is a good idea.

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4. Spinningfields

The biggest commercial district in the city with some of the largest businesses based there as well as an abundance of bars and restaurants, Spinningfields offers the perfect combination of work, culture and leisure.

It’s a particularly desirable area for young people who wish to live and work in one place. Spinningfields has also previously been named as the most family friendly area to live in Manchester.

5. Prestwich

With an abundance of primary and secondary schools, Prestwich presents itself as one of the best areas for families in Manchester to settle down. Living in Prestwich sees semi-detached properties selling for £247,607 on average, terraced properties sold for an average price of £183,878, while detached properties fetched £379,423.

Prestwich boasts great transport links with close proximity to the M60 and a 15-minutes journey to the city centre of Manchester via the tram.

Claire Watson, 28th January 2019
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6. Didsbury

Didsbury is one of the most sought-after places to live in Manchester, which, unfortunately, reflects in the price of property. The area offers a range of property types from new builds to huge Victorian houses, with flats selling for an average of £247, 872 and detached homes averaging at £782,956, according to Zoopla.

The housing market and area offer something for people of all walks of life, from the young professionals to those who are now retired. Wilmslow road plays home to a mile of independent bars and restaurants. Just 4 miles from both Manchester city centre and the airport, we can see why Didsbury is one of the best areas in Manchester.

7. Castlefield

Castlefield offers its residents the perfect mixture of old and new, with high-end bars and restaurants as well as the Roman fort and old mills. This quaint, cobbled street area of Manchester has something for everyone.

With the average price of all property types selling for £235,166, it’s clear to see why so many people are drawn to the Roman heart of Manchester. 1982 saw Castlefield become the UK’s first Urban Heritage Park, which means you won’t find any traffic in Castlefield. If you prefer to live in one of Manchester’s quieter areas, Castlefield is for you.

8. Ancoats

Named Time Out’s 13th ‘coolest neighbourhood in the world’, Ancoats in Manchester, once known for its high crime rate, beat the likes of Barcelona, New York and Sydney. With an abundance of independent craft beer spots, bakeries and international cuisine spread out over the area, Ancoats is a top contender for one of the best places to live in Manchester.

Property sells for an average of £235,757 in Ancoats, with the vast majority of those being flats sold to younger residents.

9. Chorlton

The ‘liberal heart of Manchester’, Chorlton boasts a green way of life in every sense. With plenty of green space at Chorlton Park and its abundance of organic shops, Chorlton offers something for everyone.

Property in Chorlton isn’t on the cheap side, with properties selling on average at £311,285. Although expensive, house prices come in more affordable Manchester areas such as Didsbury.

There’s a great sense of community feel in Chorlton which is why it can be classed as one of the best areas to live in Manchester.

10. Salford

With terraced houses selling for £171,828 and semi-detached properties for just £202,266 on average, Salford gives families and professionals the opportunity of affordable property prices whilst also being in the city centre via the Metrolink in a matter of minutes.

Home to the MediaCityUK, Salford isn’t short of job opportunities and housing. It also acts as the perfect commuter town for those working in the city centre of Manchester or Liverpool.

The iconic photograph of The Smiths outside Salford Lads Club helped to put the venue on the map, bringing many international fans to see the spot each year.

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If you’re thinking of moving to Manchester, fill out our quick and easy form. We have verified and trusted Manchester removal companies on board ready to help with your move. Also, check out our house removal costs guide so you know what to expect.

Martha Lott

Written by Martha Lott

Having guest authored for many property websites, Martha now researches and writes articles for everything moving house related, from remortgages to conveyancing costs.

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