Where are the best places to live in Manchester in 2023?
Are you wondering where are the best places to live in Manchester? You are in the right place. This list is an overview of some of the best areas to live in Manchester and will cover what the area is like to help you make the important decision about where to live.
Of course, this is not a list of everywhere, and there are other excellent areas to live in Manchester, but it will give you a starting point! Manchester recently made Lonely Planet’s exclusive list of must-visit destinations for 2023 – so why not make the only UK city on the Best Travel list your home?
What is it like to live in Manchester?
Manchester is an incredible, international city that is a great place to be. It is famous for its football, music and its industrial past. There are over 200 languages spoken in the city, and the people are welcoming and friendly. There are also diverse areas to live in Manchester, from waterfront neighbourhoods to the city’s hustle and bustle to the more peaceful suburbs. Luckily, there will be something for you!
Manchester has everything you could want from city living, so if you decide to live out of the city centre or move to somewhere in Greater Manchester, you will not be disappointed with your decision.
If you want to taste what you can do in the city before moving here, read and enjoy our guide to 24 Hours in Manchester. It gives you an excellent overview of what life could be like, with many exciting things to do – including some of the best Manchester parks and free museums in Manchester.
You can also watch the famous and eye-opening BBC Documentary: Manctopia. It tells people’s stories about living in the city and what the future may look like for the town. The property market is buzzing – like the symbol of the city.
Alternatively, if you are considering moving to the UK and are unsure what to expect, you should read our guide to Living in England.
The 13 Best Places to Live in Manchester in 2023
These are nice areas to live in Manchester, but all serve different purposes for different people’s needs and desires. Some are the best cheap places to live and buy in Manchester, whereas others will be the best places to rent in Manchester.
Northern Quarter
Live in the Northern Quarter to live amongst the street art, trendy restaurants and bars and the best brunch and coffee in the city (lots of vegan places). There is a crazy amount to do in the Northern Quarter that you won’t want to leave. It is full of life, and the atmosphere is friendly and fun.
If you love music, you should live here, and you’ll have the time of your life with venues across the Northern Quarter. There are also many independent stores, vintage shops (visit Affleck’s Palace), and fun attractions, which means it is easily one of the best places to live in Manchester.
Try Ezra and Gil for the best chai latte. No, seriously, they make a great one!
Sale
Sale is known for being a great place to live in Manchester across the UK. It is in the south of the city and has excellent transport links and easy access to the city centre, which means that it is a superb commuting option for living in Greater Manchester.
The price to buy a property is significantly higher than in some of the other suburbs in Manchester, but you do get a lovely community feel if you move here! We love the dreamy canal and the high street.
Chorlton
Chorlton is a desirable location and is one of the best places to live in Manchester. There is excellent access to the city centre via tram, and it has many green spaces, including Chorlton Park and Chorlton Water Park.
There are also organic shops, independent shops and some excellent bars. If you still need convincing, visit Beech Road’s bars and restaurants and talk to the welcoming locals. Also, visit Man Eats Frog and check out their beer garden.
Of course, the desirability comes with a price tag, and Chorlton’s house prices have skyrocketed in the last few years. You can find good deals for renting, though. Well, sometimes.
Didsbury
Didsbury is a well sought after area to live in Manchester because of its trendy and upmarket scene. It is also only 4-miles from both the city centre and the airport, with excellent connections to both by tram!
Living in Didsbury offers pubs, coffee shops, hipster plant shops (Flourish) and beautiful parks, including Didsbury Park and Fletcher Moss Park. It is close to the River Mersey all-important Sunday mornings walks.
Didsbury is perfect for those seeking nature and a village vibe in the city. Of course, the house prices reflect this, and you can get an apartment for the price of a larger house in other areas of the city. Didsbury is known as being one of the posher parts of Manchester.
It also has excellent access to the motorway, including the M56, M60 and A34, which means you can quickly visit the Peak District. Read our guides to Ladybower and other Peak District hikes for inspiration.
Salford and Salford Quays
Salford has excellent transport links to Manchester City Centre and is a popular destination for first-time buyers as property prices are not as high as other Manchester areas.
Salford Quays and Media City are littered with apartments and have many renting options for people new to the city. Media City is the home of ITV, BBC and some University of Salford buildings, which means it is full of life, and you can even bag an apartment overlooking the water, with an excellent view.
Salford Quays is also an excellent option for those into open water swimming, as you can swim here and do other water sports activities, including rowing, paddle boarding and water skiing. It makes it one of the best places to live in Salford. Look at the Salford Watersport’s website for more information.
Our favourite area is Merchant Quays. It overlooks the water, and you feel like you could be anywhere. Everything is better by the water! Another favourite that has excellent reviews is New Maker Yards.
Hulme
There have been many Hulme investments, and now it is a popular place to live in Manchester. There are many investors buying property here at the moment, and a lot of young people getting on the property ladder.
It is a popular area for first-time buyers, as it is one of the cheaper destinations to buy a property, which gives it a spot on this list of the best places to live in Manchester. Affordability is important!
Prestwich
Prestwich is in North Manchester and is further away from the city centre than others on this list. However, the Heaton Park tram stop means that you can still get to the city relatively quickly (15-20 minutes), so it deserves a spot on the best places to live in Manchester list.
Prestwich is a popular place to live with families because of the good primary schools and secondary schools in the area. The house prices are not too high compared to other areas, for what you can get, as they are only slightly over the average price. It means it is one of the best areas in Manchester to buy a house.
It is close to the M60 too!
Castlefield
Central but peaceful is the charm of Castlefield. It is on the Bridgewater Canal banks and has waterside pubs and restaurants to enjoy for its residents. It has effortless access to the city centre and is one of the best places to live in Manchester for this reason.
There are also cobbled streets and old mills that will take you back in time, or you can walk along the canal to Salford Quays and Old Trafford Football Stadium. It has an entirely different vibe to other city areas and is a firm favourite for a morning walk.
Did you know that it was the UK’s first Urban Heritage Park? Pretty cool! You may even walk onto a TV set as the Peaky Blinders (amongst others) are sometimes here! There is also the new National Trust Castlefield Viaduct Park that opened in 2022.
New Islington
New Islington’s new houses and new developments have turned this area into a popular spot for young families and young professionals. The homes have a Scandinavian feel to them, and the area is full of barges and trendy young families. It is popular as it is extremely close to the city centre and has easy access to everything you could possibly need.
The outstanding New Islington Free School is a great secondary school for young families to persuade them to live in the area.
There is also the popular and busy Pollen Bakery, serving the locals the caffeine buzz they need to keep up with the vibrant atmosphere! Everytime we go there’s always a long queue!
Deansgate
Deansgate is one of the best areas to live in Manchester. It has an industrial history, a Roman Fort, as well as vibrant nightlife and excellent restaurants. It is a mix of new and old and is a great place to be.
It houses the HOME Theatre, a popular place for creative souls, and it is so close to the city that you can walk in very quickly and conveniently. It is also close to many of the Manchester train stations, including Deansgate and Oxford Road.
Rusholme
Suppose you want to know where the young people and affordable housing are. Rusholme is your answer. It is the perfect blend of affordability and access to the city.
The main reason it is a cheaper option is because of the two Universities and the student population. For the University of Manchester students and Manchester Metropolitan University, Rusholme is a popular choice to live. It is also around 30-minutes into the city centre – which is not too bad.
It has excellent shops, bike lanes, and parks, including proximity to Whitworth Park, one of Manchester’s best parks. It is also close to the Curry Mile, a mile-long street filled with Asian cuisine takeaways and restaurants.
House prices and rent prices are lower here too – you can get more for your £!
Ancoats
Ancoats is behind the Northern Quarter and the city centre – which means it is easy to commute into the city centre. It is a 10-minute walk to Piccadilly Station. There are numerous restaurants, cafes and bars in Ancoats, which means that it is a popular place for young people to live. It is primarily flats here, so if you do not want to live in an apartment, try somewhere else!
Live here to make the most out of city living and try all the restaurants within walking distance. Did you know it was once named Time Out’s 13th coolest neighbourhood in the world?
Stretford
If you are considering moving to Manchester, then you could check out Stretford, with excellent transport links, and a lot of new developments coming – this could be a good place to come before the rush. There has been the goahead for a new regeneration project that will be finished by 2024.
There will be new houses built and access to waterfront restaurants for the whole community. You can read more about the project on the Manchester Evening News Website.
Manchester will have something for you. No matter your preference, or budget, you will find your place here, as there is a wide range of houses and apartments on offer. A lot is going on in Manchester, and it is a great city to live and be. This list was only an overview and area guide to the best places to live in Manchester. Which one is for you?
Photo Credit: Cover ( unslplash ) and post ( averagelives.com)
