The best places to live in Manchester
A vibrant city brimming with opportunities, Manchester has an area or suburb to meet the needs of every type of new arrival. From laid-back family neighbourhoods to buzzing business centres, everyone is catered to. A major bonus is the city's extensive public transport system, which makes commuting a breeze from most places.
Here are some of the most popular neighbourhoods in Manchester.
Neighbourhoods for professional folks in Manchester
Deansgate
Deansgate is a vibrant area in the city centre. The area is home to a large number of young professional executives who value living close to their workplace and having easy access to Manchester’s bars, clubs and shopping facilities.
Accommodation in Deansgate generally comes in the form of modern, luxury apartments. Thanks to its prime location, getting around is accessible by tram, bus and rail links.
Levenshulme
Levenshulme is an up-and-coming area located southeast of Manchester city centre. Thanks to good rail links and access to bus services, this is an ideal area from which to commute.
Stockport Road runs through the heart of Levenshulme, and here, one can clearly see the influence of Manchester’s Indian and Pakistani communities, with several shops, cafés and restaurants adding local spice to the area.
Chorlton
Those who choose to live in Chorlton will have plenty of choices regarding modern housing and city-style apartments. This suburb boasts its very own town centre where one can find supermarkets, a local leisure centre, a library and a park.
Chorlton is becoming increasingly popular with a fashionable crowd who enjoy frequenting the area’s unique bars and quirky cafés.
Salford Quays
The number of quayside developments and loft-style apartments in Manchester has grown markedly in recent years. While waterside luxury living complexes are what attract wealthy residents to the area, those looking for a little more space will still find historic terraces in Salford Quays.
The area is well served by trams and buses, and expats will find getting into the city centre relatively straightforward. Salford has a lively nightlife scene, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area as well.
Castlefield
This is a relaxed area located on the basin of the Bridgewater Canal, making it the perfect spot for those keen on waterside living on the city’s edge. Expats will find a wide choice of accommodation here, including conversions, older developments and modern buildings.
This part of Manchester is particularly historic, and residents can still see the ruins of the Roman fort. Castlefield has its fair share of bars and restaurants, so residents won’t have to wander far for an evening out.
Family-friendly neighbourhoods in Manchester
Burnage
Burnage is a popular area for those looking for a family home with a reasonable commute into the city centre. Properties in the area are generally semi-detached with gardens, which is ideal for families with children. There are also several schools here. Burnage has its own train station and good road links, which make getting around easy.
Didsbury
Located south of the city centre, Didsbury is a trendy area popular with families and younger couples. A variety of accommodation is available in Didsbury, from modern apartment living to large Victorian family homes.
The many bars and restaurants make this an excellent area for those who enjoy a night on the town. At the same time, there are plenty of green spaces, and Didsbury’s proximity to numerous good schools makes it an option well worth considering for expat families. Didsbury is well-connected by rail and bus transport, which makes getting around exceedingly easy.
Wilmslow
Wilmslow is known for its upmarket lifestyle and is home to some of Manchester’s wealthiest residents. Properties here are large and often come with gardens, which is excellent for those relocating with children. Another draw for families is the many good schools in Wilmslow. The area is full of unique boutiques, cafés and restaurants. One of the major hooks of Wilmslow is that it maintains a community feel, which makes it popular with young couples and families.
Altrincham
Another popular area with families is Altrincham, home to a number of good state schools. Properties tend to be large Victorian family homes. Residents enjoy a great sense of community in Altrincham, where several local festivals and events occur. The commute into town from Altrincham is fast thanks to good transport links.
What are the worst areas in which to live in Manchester?
Manchester is a vibrant city with an eclectic and diverse population, and as with most large cities, some areas are run down and have more than their fair share of safety concerns.
Moss Side has a long history of crime, and most people living in Manchester would advise against renting there. Cheetham Hill used to have a similar reputation, but while the crime rate is still high, the area has improved and is known to be very cosmopolitan, with a significant immigrant population.
Salford is situated on the Manchester Ship Canal, a short distance from the city. It also struggles with anti-social behaviour, but it has a thriving arts and culture scene and is home to MediaCityUK, a central creative hub that hosts the headquarters of the BBC and ITV studios.
While it has seen improvements, Wythenshawe has a high rate of violent crime and anti-social behaviour compared to neighbouring areas. Openshaw and Beswick, on the east side of Manchester, are also relatively deprived areas, and although rents are cheap, most people would choose to live in another area.
What do expats say are the best areas and suburbs in Manchester?
"South Manchester is generally the nicest part of Manchester. Some bits (such as Chorlton and Didsbury) have a reputation as being quite expensive but, in my experience as far as renting goes, they’re just as expensive as anywhere else." Get some more insights about Manchester from Allison, a Canadian expat living in the city.
Further reading
►Learn more about the city's property market in Accommodation in Manchester
Photo credits: Media City by Aswin Mahesh. Family-friendly neighbourhood by Fabian Heimann. Both sourced from Unsplash.
Are you an expat living in Manchester?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Manchester. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
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