Living in Manchester? - Here’s what you need to know

Manchester is the second most populated city in the UK and includes a variety of history, culture, opportunity and living spaces, making it a perfect place to move to. The range of things to see and do in Manchester makes it an ideal location whether you are a young professional looking to explore the city, you have a growing family or anything in between.

It is also home to multiple prestigious universities such as The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan & Salford University if you or your children want to pursue further education.

If you are considering a move to Manchester or the surrounding area, check out our guide to living in Manchester to see what could be in store.

Is Manchester a good place to live?

No matter where you’re moving from, Manchester will have something new to offer, from quiet suburbs to bustling cities, to areas surrounded by excellent views by taking a short trip to the Peak District.

There’s a wealth of job opportunities in Manchester too, competing against London but with more affordable living conditions. Manchester truly does have something for everyone, whether you love art, food, sports, shopping, or nature it can only be found in abundance here. With two coveted Premier League Football teams, the Trafford Centre and the inspiring Manchester Art Gallery.

Want to explore brand new properties in Manchester? Check out our New Build Homes in Manchester to find a development you’ll love.

Best areas to live in Manchester and nearby

There are lots of great places to live in Manchester. To give you somewhere to start, we’ve pulled together a list of some good places to live in Manchester near the city and its suburbs.

Our picks combine the thrill of city life with the peace and stability of suburban living. So you can experience the joys of nature and have excellent schooling options for your children while never being short of fun things to do.

City Living

The heart of Manchester is its city centre, which is home to a plethora of restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. The city centre offers a lively urban lifestyle, with modern apartments and historic buildings converted into stylish living spaces. The Northern Quarter, known for its trendy cafes, independent boutiques, and street art, is a hotspot for young professionals and creatives.

Northern Quarter

Northern Quarter is a neighbourhood in the heart of the city, it offers ease of access and an abundance of restaurants, bars, pubs, shopping and creativity. It is also just a 16 minute walk to the city centre for easy commuting for those that work in the city or just want to explore its many pleasures. With an area as bustling as the Northern Quarter it can be beneficial to stay there overnight in a hotel or with a friend to experience what it’s like day & night before you move. This helps you get a realistic feel for the area and what to expect.

Ancoats

This is another standout location for young professionals offering the perks and convenience of city living. But providing more of a peaceful day to day than the Northern Quarter, Ancoats has all the same amenities while offering an easy escape at the end of the night or after a day at work.

Castlefield

Rife with canals and green spaces but still offering easy access to the city centre, Castlefield is perfect for families with young children. It is also often referred to as the ‘Roman heart of Manchester’ due to the Roman forts and an intricate network of canals. It is also just a 20 minute walk to the Arndale Centre so you can easily browse your favourite shops or commute to work.

Suburban Living

Manchester's suburbs, on the other hand, provide a quieter and more family-friendly environment. Areas including Didsbury, Salford,and Altrincham offer leafy streets, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community. Prestwich, located to the north of the city centre, is known for its diverse population, parks, and vibrant food scene. We’ve found some more of our favourites for you so you can find the perfect place to live in Manchester.

Northenden

Northenden is a suburb in Manchester with a population of around 15,000, it has a prosperous village centre that is home to restaurants, bars, shops and other amenities. It is approximately 7 miles from the city centre and is just a 29-minute drive away, with regular public transport that can get you to the city centre in under an hour. With other links to Manchester Airport and South Manchester. Northenden provides an excellent balance to the thriving city centre as a peaceful escape for you and your family, with a manageable commute.

Didsbury

This tree laden suburb is just 5 miles from Manchester city centre, offering a true village like community with access to quality supermarkets, entertainment such as a large cinema and a comedy club. For outdoor lovers there is also the beautiful Fletcher Moss Park and Botanical Gardens which further makes Didsbury perfect for those that enjoy a relaxed life.

Timperley

Timperley is located in the borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester. It has a wealth of highly regarded primary and secondary schools making it perfect for growing a family or those looking to start one. It is also an 11-minute drive from the stunning Walton Park and just a 10-minute drive from Manchester Airport making holiday commutes effortless.

Altrincham

Altrincham is a market town in Trafford, Greater Manchester and is just a 6-minute drive from the previously mentioned Timperley. The area is known for its combination of everyday amenities and captivating natural surroundings. It is also only a 35-minute drive to Manchester City Centre so makes for a manageable commute if you work in the city.

Denbigh Drive, Shaw

This stunning rural ward in Greater Manchester has a population of 19,000 and is approximately 9 miles from Manchester City Centre. You can enjoy the open countryside of Crompton Moor while being in the catchment area of high-quality education with Blue Coats School, Oldham Hulme Grammar School and Crompton House School. Allowing you to provide a diverse range of experiences for your children with city and suburban life, which is why it’s common for families to move to the area and upsize their home as their family grows. 

Things to do in Manchester

There’s no shortage of things to do in Manchester whether you are here for the day or you live here. The rich Football culture draws people in as you can watch the match at a local sports bar or pub or visit the famous Old Trafford and Etihad Stadiums.

But if football isn’t your thing there are the Trafford & Arndale Centres where you can browse your favourite high street stores. In the afternoon and evening, Manchester comes to life with restaurants that offer the finest cuisine from all over the world to suit all tastes whether you have a flair for Michelin-starred restaurants or prefer pub grub and street food to anything in between Manchester has it all.

After you’ve enjoyed your favourite food, you can bask in the vibrant atmosphere of the Northern Quarter with art, cafes, bars and live music.

Here are some more of our favourite things to do in Manchester:

• Nestled within the University of Manchester, the Manchester Museum is a treasure trove of art, archaeology, and natural history where you can explore exhibits that range from ancient Egypt to the natural wonders of the world.
• Manchester Art Gallery houses an impressive collection of European paintings, decorative arts, and contemporary art exhibitions, it's a must-visit for art enthusiasts.
• For football enthusiasts, a visit to Old Trafford, the iconic home of Manchester United, is an unforgettable experience. Why not take a stadium tour to delve into the club's rich history and heritage?
• The Lowry is an arts and entertainment complex situated at Salford Quays. It features theatres, galleries, and a diverse range of performances, making it a cultural hub for visitors and residents alike.
• Delve into Manchester's industrial past at the Science and Industry Museum. With interactive exhibits, technological innovations, and historic machinery all showcasing the city's role in the Industrial Revolution.
• MediaCityUK, located at Salford Quays, is a thriving hub for creative and digital industries; here you’ll find the BBC studios, theatres, restaurants, offering a glimpse into the future of media and technology.

Commuting & Public Transport in Manchester

Manchester is a large city so having good public transport is essential. Luckily they offer some of the best that you’ll find. They even created the world's first inner-city passenger railway station, and they’ve continued to prioritise high-quality public transport ever since. There is an assortment of trams, buses and trains that run from 6 am to midnight every week.

A weekly System One travel card means you can travel on any bus in Manchester for just £19.50. And if you want to add unlimited tram or train travel to that deal, it’s an extra £20.

Trains run from Manchester to nearby areas such as Wigan, Liverpool and Oldham. For more information check out Transport for Manchester.

Cost of living in Manchester

Even though Manchester is the second largest city in the UK, you’ll find that prices differ from the capital and according to Numbeo, Manchester is on average 16.7% cheaper than London (without rent) so you can enjoy the city without breaking the bank.

Item	Price (on average) in Manchester
Pint of Beer (Restaurant)	£5
Meal for one	£15
Monthly transport pass	£80
Gym Membership (Monthly)	£28
Monthly Utilities for 85㎡ apartment	£256.34

 

Find out more about our developments in and around Manchester.