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After London and Edinburgh, Manchester is the third most popular city in the UK. Some say that it’s due to the two powerhouse football clubs of Manchester City and Manchester United residing in Manchester, but the city itself is so much more than that. Manchester is a city with a lot of beauty and history, culture and diversity. Some people call it the ‘Modern city’ of Britain. If you want to live in Manchester and are considering moving in, you shouldn’t go uninformed. We’re here to help you decide on the best places to live in Manchester.
Best Areas To Live In Manchester
These are the best places to live in Manchester.
1. Northern Quarter
Northern Quarter is the northeastern quarter of Manchester city centre, with the ends at Piccadilly station and Manchester Arndale.
The Northern Quarter is one of the trendiest areas in Manchester city centre for young professionals.
Northern Quarter has some of the best independent shops and eateries, such as the historic Mackie Mayor. It also has the Piccadilly and Victoria train stations.
If you love the vibrant city life with street art and trendy bars, Northern Quarter is the option for you. All housing offered in the Northern Quarter are flats, and the price, while above average, does land you in the centre of the action.
2. Castlefield
In the opposite location of the Northern Quarter, we have Castlefield, situated in the southwestern area of the Manchester city centre.
Castlefield is quite an affluent area of Manchester, with plenty of high-value housing and flats sitting on the cobbled streets to choose from.
Castlefield is an Urban Heritage Park. Use of cars is limited because of it, but since it is within walking distance from most things, the quiet and fresh air is only a plus.
If you’re a family that wants to live near a city centre or a young professional who loves easy access to city centre amenities with peace, then Castlefield is the place for you.
3. Chorlton
The Chorlton suburb has an appeal that’s for everyone. Young families, young professionals and pet owners can enjoy nature, and nightly outgoers can enjoy the clubs and pubs in the area.
This suburb also has excellent transport links that take you to the city centre via tram.
Chorlton has many green spaces. Some of the more prominent ones are Chorlton Park and Chorlton Water Park.
This is an affluent area, as previously stated, so the average price of a property is above average, but this is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in Manchester, making the price well worth it.
4. Didsbury
The southern suburb of Didsbury shares similarities with Chorlton. They both have stunning nature, peaceful surroundings and excellent bars and restaurants. One thing that sets Didsbury apart is its split into East Didsbury and West Didsbury.
West Didsbury is more well-known for its selection of excellent restaurants, boutiques and upmarket shops, while East Didsbury is a more picturesque region with excellent schools and more nature.
Didsbury is an affluent suburb with a lot of green space, namely the Fletcher Moss park and Didsbury park.
Didsbury is definitely one of the best places to live in Manchester for any person or family.
5. Salford
Salford is a large region taking up the northwest of Manchester.
Salford has a media city surrounded by green belt land, and it’s full of life during daytime and nighttime.
Both young families and young people see Salford as a prime destination because of the number of bars, restaurants, businesses and green spaces.
The Salford Quays is the area of Salford where open water swimming is permitted. You can row, swim and do all sorts of activities in the water.
Salford is a place with various excellent features, and with the property prices staying stable, we find it an easy first move.
6. Altrincham
Altrincham is a wealthy suburb that lies at the southwestern edge of Manchester city within Trafford.
Altrincham used to be a failing town with a local high street in decline. Now, it is reinvigorated to the point where it’s classified as one of the more upmarket areas of Manchester.
Altrincham is a historic and large market town with an industrial past. Many buildings have Victorian and Edwardian architecture details, and the whole place looks quite posh.
Altrincham has some of the best primary and secondary schools in Manchester. The Altrincham Grammar School is an excellent example since Ofsted rated it as outstanding.
7. Deansgate
Situated in the heart of Manchester, Deansgate is a wonderful mix of old and new architecture, with the busiest nightlife you can find within the city with the best street food.
Deansgate has some of the most well-known places in Manchester just a short walk away, such as the large Beetham tower and the historic Deansgate Locks.
Deansgate has the Home Theatre, a place that hosts movies, plays, art and it has great food.
This is absolutely one of the coolest places to live in Manchester for young professionals. If you can afford to buy a flat in Deansgate, we suggest that you do.
8. Rusholme
Rusholme is a kilometre south of the Manchester city centre.
Rusholme has a big student population due to it having two huge universities, the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Rusholme has excellent parks and nearly every street has a bike lane, making your daily commute a breeze.
Rusholme has a nickname titled ‘the Curry Mile’ because of the high street abundant Asian food present in the area, as well as the overall Asian influence.
Rusholme is a relatively affordable place with housing and rental prices on the low side, making it perfect for everyone, especially if you love Asian food.
9. Sale
Sale is a suburb that sits southwest of Manchester city and is a popular place within Trafford, improving significantly every decade through centuries.
When it comes to the property market, Sale has significantly higher housing prices than the average in Manchester, but it’s well worth the cost, with great places for education and many parks sprinkled throughout.
While things are not a short commute away, the transport links have excellent access for any commuter moving around Manchester often.
The local residents are mostly families, and if you’re a family too, we recommend you put Sale on your list of options.
10. New Islington
New Islington has become quite a beautiful sight due to the successful new developments over the last few years. This area now has a more modern architecture resembling Nordic cities.
Because of Manchester’s industrial history, many places tend to look similar, but you know you’re in New Islington as soon as you look around.
Within the quaint and beautiful Cotton Park is the New Islington Marina, which houses swans and other cute and beautiful animals you’d rarely see so close to the centre.
While slightly above average, New Islington is surprisingly affordable, so we can’t help but recommend it on all grounds.
If Manchester doesn’t align with your preference, you should consider our list of best places to live in Essex.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Manchester’s Rough Areas?
Manchester’s rough areas are as follows:
- Little Hulton
- Moss Side
- Longsight
- Clifton
- Blackley
- Harpurhey
- Moston
- Charleston
- Miles Platting
- Walkden
Some other areas in Manchester are considered quite rough. You might want to consider checking the crime statistics yourself. One thing you can be certain of is that the areas we listed as the best places to live are safe.
What Are The Best Places To Live In Greater Manchester?
The top ten best places to live in Greater Manchester are:
- Northern Quarter
- Castlefield
- Chorlton
- Didsbury
- Salford
- Altrincham
- Deansgate
- Rusholme
- Sale
- New Islington
All these Greater Manchester areas listed above are safe, vibrant and offer all the amenities one might want out of a place near or within a big city.
What Are The Best Places To Live In Manchester Suburbs?
The best places to live in Manchester suburbs are:
- Chorlton
- North Salford
- Didsbury
- Sale
- Altrincham
These suburbs have many green spaces, educational facilities, shops, restaurants and bars. They’re also some of the safest areas in Manchester, so you can relax, knowing that the chances of robbery are relatively low.
What Are The Best Places To Live In Manchester For First-Time Buyers?
The best places to live in Manchester for first-time buyers are:
- Castlefield
- Salford
- Reddish
- Ardwick
- Rusholme
These are some of the areas with the lowest housing prices in Manchester. Of course, you mustn’t worry, as all of these areas are also loaded with all the necessities and are quite safe.
Is Manchester Safe?
Manchester is safe, depending on the area. Of course, it’s mostly safe, but some places tend to have a higher crime rate. Areas we recommend if you want to live in parts with low crime are:
- Castlefield
- Chorlton
- Altrincham
- Didsbury
- Sale
These areas should be your top picks if safety is your paramount criterion.
Conclusion
There are plenty of great areas to choose from in Manchester. We’ve informed you about them and hopefully lead you to find a great place you could call your home. All the best places to live in Manchester we listed above are places we wholeheartedly recommend and hope you check out.
