areas to live in manchester or cheshire!!

[becki_1984]

My boyfriend and I are finishing our degrees this summer and want to buy a house in either manchester or cheshire (we're in leeds at the mo). I think we'll prob both end up working in manchester so where we buy will need to have a train or tram line nearby to get us into the city. Can anyone suggest any nice areas to look around? Upto now we've looked at Didsbury and Altrincham as these are only places we know a little bit about. We liked them both but we're totally stuck on where to look now and don't want to miss out any potential areas!

All suggestions will be really appreciated :)

[colenso]

Well the first question becki is what's wrong with Leeds?????

[becki_1984]

Nothing's wrong with Leeds, it's a great place to live only my family are all around manchester area and want to move nearer to them :)

[becki_1984]

Well family are from Bolton actually just incase anyone wondered why I didn't know about areas of manchester. Just realised that didn't make sense :)

[colenso]

Becki - understand!! My lot live in Stoke but I really am tied to Leeds for a few years.... besides, me Mum comes from here!!

[ronnie963]

last night there was a article in the m.e.n that wythenshawe was a good place to buy there are lots of new builds popping up all over the estate which are very nice just don,t buy ex-council house on the estate!!

[becki_1984]

yeah, I've looked at wythenshaw on the internet and there are some really nice houses only someone told me to steer clear of the area. Think will have a drive round there at the weekend. Thanks ronnie :)

[delboy3]

If you want good train links you would do well in Didsbury or Gatley; Withington isn't bad either but no trains or trams nearby. Fallowfield is lively but a bit scruffy as it's crawling with students (if you don't mind mixing with them again); Chorlton is very popular but expensive, and again no trams or trains.

As regards Wythenshawe, it really depends on which part. Some are no-go areas like Benchill and Roundthorn, the rest seems ok but I'd put good locks on your windows & doors in any case.

I can't say much about the north of the city except that it has its fair share of run-down areas, but house prices are generally cheaper than in the south.

I did see a website that gives you a statistical breakdown of areas in terms of unemployment and 'class' of residents, but I can't remember what it was called!

Good luck!

[SusanLisa]

If you can afford it, Altrincham is nice but expensive.You will need to consider how far you want to travel to work as the motorway around Manchester can be hell in the rush hour which is best avoided if possible. I used to live in Trafford which has nice areas like Sale. I now live under Salford council which is cheaper but has good links by metro and bus into the city centre. Good luck

[Artemis]

There are two small villages on the A57 Irlam and Cadishead. Direct train line to Manchester and house prices are very reasonable at the moment.

[becki_1984]

All these responses are great, thanks so much. Going to look around at the weekend so will visit these places and hopefully get more of an idea :)

[veritymoon]

have to second altrincham.

[spainlads]

Didsbury, Chorlton and Altringham are really nice in the south of the city. The only real place north is Prestwich, which also has a good tram connection. DON'T go anywhere near Wythenshawe. Not a nice are to live at all.

Have you thought about the city. You canbuy just as cheap, no commuting for the bars, clubds etc.

[becki_1984]

Yeah, thought about buying in the city but really fancy a house with a garden. Thanks for advice though, been to Didsbury today which we really like. Just quite pricey. Going to go to Chorlton and Sale tomorrow. Any other suggestions will be great! Thanks everybody :)

[Consie]

Hi Becky - just seen this whilst searching for something else. I'm from the areas you mention and have kids living there. Altrincham is VERY expensive and though there are good links to the city it's a long commute. Chorlton is a good area, but have you thought about popping over the border into Stockport and the SK4 (the Heatons) postcode area which is next to Didsbury? I know this area very well and there is a good train link to the city which takes about 10 minutes. The prices are more reasonable and would help you get onto the housing ladder. It is a lovely area and worth a look. Good luck.

[treacle84]

Thanks a lot Consie, we're going to have a drive over to the Heatons on saturday then to have a look. Thanks for all your advice, it's been really helpful :)