A guide to living in Manchester

Manchester is the second largest urban area in England, and is often thought of as the UK’s second city. Located in the north west of England nestled between Liverpool and Leeds, Manchester is also reportedly the UK’s fastest growing city economically. The area's 2.8 million residents are incredibly proud of their city – and rightly so. In 2018 Manchester was officially named the Best Place To Live In The UK in The Economist's Global Livability Index. Read on to discover the developments rated by residents as the best places to live in Manchester and to read reviews from locals who own or rent in Manchester. The landlocked county of Manchester is mostly urban and comprises ten boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan and the cities of Manchester and Salford. Historically, the textiles industry generated most of Manchester's wealth. However, the city has developed to become a major exporter of media, music and football. It's home to two international football teams – Manchester United and Manchester City – as well as popular TV soap Coronation Street and five universities.

Excellent

82.3

Very Good

13.6

Average

3.1

Disappointing

0.6

Very poor

0.5

Best places to live in Manchester

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 81

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The Castings, M1

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.95

(124 reviews)

£1,180-£2,165 pcm

Studios, 1, 2, 3 beds

The Castings offers studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments in Manchester’s newest neighbourhood, Piccadilly East. Residents benefit from top-notch amenities ranging from 3 roof terraces, complete with wraparound views of Manchester, to a high-spec gym and studio space with 24/7 virtual classes. Additionally, there are 2 social lounges, a cinema room, bookable private dining room and a working hub with meeting rooms and private booths.

1st

Ranked 1st out of 67 in Manchester

View development

Rental Only

Award Winner 2024

Vox, M15

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2024

4.93

(243 reviews)

£845-£1,305 pcm

1, 2 beds

Vox, managed by Allsop is located just off the A56 in Manchester. The Vox offers a collection of 1,2 and 3-bed apartments. Moreover, they are only a short bus away from the city centre. In addition to underbuilding parking, there is also storage for over 280 bikes. These are monitored by CCTV and stored behind fob operated doors. Other facilities include a gym, roof terrace and residents lounge.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 67 in Manchester

View development

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The Trilogy, M15

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2025

4.89

(352 reviews)

£1,020-£1,700 pcm

1, 2, 3 beds

The Trilogy is a HomeViews award-winning development comprising of 232 one, two and three bedroom apartment. This is more than an outstanding development. It’s the start of a whole new community – and a new chapter in your life. Feel safe whatever the time of day or night with 24-hour security, while the on-site resident services team are always on hand to answer questions or lend assistance. You will be enjoying vibrant, modern living in the heart of Castlefield, with its waterside bars and pubs perfect for al fresco drinks on sunny days. The nightlife and boutiques of Spinningfields are just a few moments away on the tram or a leisurely twenty minute walk.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 67 in Manchester

View development

Rental Only

Award Winner 2024

Poplin, M4

By Native Communities

Award winner 2024

4.86

(78 reviews)

£1,240-£2,200 pcm

1, 2, 3 beds

Poplin offers 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments to rent in a community of 144 homes. Residents benefit from flexibility, social spaces and rooftop views. Additionally, residents can enjoy a communal atrium garden, glass atrium and social lounge, and a bookable kitchen. Bordering Ancoats, Poplin is just a couple of minutes’ walk to the Shudehill interchange, and ten minutes to Victoria Station. It’s also a short walk to spots such as Angel Meadow, Cutting Room Square and New Islington Marina – or onwards to any of the shops, bars, restaurants and supermarkets of the Northern Quarter.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 67 in Manchester

View development

Development image of Apo at Angel Gardens, M4

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

Apo at Angel Gardens, M4

By Apo, Moda Living

Award winner 2025

4.79

(389 reviews)

£1,320-£2,385 pcm

Studios, 1, 2, 3 beds

Apo at Angel Gardens, newly managed by Apo as of 1st November 2025, sits in the heart of Manchester, within the NOMA innovation district. It features a total of 466 interior designed apartments to rent with a mix of sizes, ranging from studios to three beds. In addition, it is pet-friendly. Likewise, residents benefit from free WiFi and, a Samsung 50″ inch smart TV included in their rent. Plus, onsite amenities such as: a rooftop sports pitch, rooftop terrace, residents’ gym, sky lounge, private dining room, media room and atrium.

5th

Ranked 5th out of 67 in Manchester

View development

Page 1 of 17

Featured developments in Manchester

Latest Reviews in Manchester

3858 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 3858

Madison D (Tenant)

Verified Resident

uhaus, M1

Oct 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

Design and management of the uHaus buildings are really good

Madison D (Tenant)

Verified Resident

uhaus, M1

Oct 2025

Design and management of the uHaus buildings are really good. Staff are nice and attentive. All areas are always clean and well stocked (coffee area). Also I thought it was great how when the pool table had rips in the cloth, that it was repaired quite quickly. The only thing I would say is that when you book rooms out on the 15th floor. Whenever you get to the room it is always locked and my pass is never able to unlock the door until I ring concierge and ask them to do it. It can be annoying when going up there with decor/food to set up and having to wait to get in.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I like living in the area, it can be a bit noisy due to students but it rarely affects us as we are on the 10th floor. Some works start really early on a couple of occasions. So that wasn't great but overall it is good.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

It has responded OK, we have had quite a few problems whilst being in the building when we moved in. E.g. the move in process was horrendous and nothing was really done about it. We were expected to swallow the inconvenience and for myself I lost half a days work due to this as there was 0 help during this process and no trolleys to take stuff to our apartment. Also the cleaning wasn't great when we had it so we stopped doing it.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The events are impossible to do. They are always no tickets. Workspaces are really helpful.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Charlotte (Tenant)

The Castings, M1

Oct 2025

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Amazing staff! Modern, comfortable living and a real sense of home.

Charlotte (Tenant)

The Castings, M1

Oct 2025

I’m really enjoying living here, it genuinely feels like home. The staff are absolutely lovely and one of the main reasons why I chose to live here. They’re always friendly, helpful and create a warm atmosphere. The amenities are great too, I especially like the terrace on the first floor with the lounge swings. Everything feels modern, well kept and designed with residents in mind. Overall, it’s a homely, comfortable and community focused place to live. I couldn’t recommend it more.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

There’s a good few local shops around the area making food shopping an easy task for me. Short walk away from Piccadilly and northern quarter where all the good bars are. There is also the marina close by which is one of my favourite places to go for a coffee, makes me feel like I’m not in a city which is refreshing. The tram stop is less than a 5 minute walk away which is really convenient for me. The street is nice and quiet and I feel safe as soon as I am near the building.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

There have been no issues so far. The Castings team communicate any issues and maintenance work around the building, so we are aware of anything that is going on

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

To be honest there is not much that I would have wanted to know.

・・

HomeViews

Laura H (Tenant)

The Castings, M1

Oct 2025

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Incredible place to live

Laura H (Tenant)

The Castings, M1

Oct 2025

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Very close to transport links and only a short walk to the centre of town which is perfect for my lifestyle.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes they have been so helpful - the best I’ve encountered from my time renting in the city.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Just how social the building is! And how busy it seems and the chats you can expect to have in the lifts on your way to and from your flat / amenities.

・・

HomeViews

Yash Chopda (Tenant)

The Castings, M1

Oct 2025

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Great life at Castings

Yash Chopda (Tenant)

The Castings, M1

Oct 2025

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

There is sainsburys and aldi in a 5 minute walk. With great transport link both for tram and trains. Even the cycle hire station is like a 2 minute walk so fortunately for commuting experience has been incredible.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes, the building management has been quite prompt and fast with the repair requests.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Sometimes the amenities can be difficult to book and unavailable during nights.

・・

HomeViews

Harry (Tenant)

Verified Resident

uhaus, M1

Oct 2025

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 3.00 out of 5.00.

Good apartments, property management could be better

Harry (Tenant)

Verified Resident

uhaus, M1

Oct 2025

Interior design in and the building is excellent. However, the appliances are really low quality compared to previous apartments I have lived in. The apartment offers fortnightly cleaning which is something which initially attracted us, however we have received this one despite booking on weekly. When we first moved in, the flat hadn’t been cleaned and there was still belongings from previous tenants. When we were shown around the property, they told us things that were not true such as dogs being allowed in communal spaces with a lead on. Showing that not all staff are aware of policies which is worrying.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Lots of restaurants, takeaways and food shops within walking distance. Limited car parking but that’s to be expected in the city centre. Plenty of transport links around Manchester. However, it is a very students area so can be loud.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

They are helpful and send out documents quickly. Repairs are also dealt with fast. But the housekeeping issue needs fixing.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

That the majority of tenants are students, they no longer offer the move in service despite it being advertised, dogs are not in fact allowed in communal spaces on leads, and the housekeeping service is basically none existent.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Page 1 of 772

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews

Useful articles

North West England

North West England is one England’s nine official regions. It is made up of Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside. This corner of the UK is its third most-populated region, with Manchester and Liverpool its two principal cities. 550,000 people live in Manchester and 500,000 in Liverpool, according to estimates for 2019. Boasting stunning scenery in the Lake District and Peak District, the region also offers lively urban areas with a rich industrial, sporting and cultural heritage and a strong economic outlook.

Go to article

Cheshire

Cheshire is a county in the North West of England. It has a population of over half a million people and is known for its beautiful countryside, including the Peak District National Park. Home to many universities, Cheshire's educational system rivals that of any other county in the UK. In this guide, we'll cover all you need to know about buying property in Cheshire, from location to schools and everything in between!

Go to article

Cumbria

Cumbria is a county in the north of England, and one of the most beautiful places to live. There are many factors that go into choosing where to live, but Cumbria has something for everyone! From the beautiful scenery to the great schools, there's no wonder why it has become such a popular place. Read on for more information about this wonderful region.

Go to article

Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester has a stellar reputation and is widely regarded as 'the capital of the North'. The city's turbocharged economy, rich industrial heritage, sporting fame and reputation as a nightlife hotspot ensures Manchester regularly appears on lists of the best places to live in the UK. Combined with relatively low property prices, excellent transport connections and three universities, making the city a magnet for young people, and it's easy to see the appeal of Greater Manchester. Read on to find out more about the best new build developments the city has to offer.

Go to article

Lancashire

Lancashire is a county in the northwest of England, with a population of just over one million. It has been an economically important area since ancient times and was home to many major industries including cotton mills. In more recent years, Lancashire has developed into a tourist destination thanks to its natural beauty and culture. If you're looking for a place to live in the UK, then Lancashire might be just what you need. This guide will take a look at the county and outline some of its best features

Go to article

Liverpool

As a major trading port travellers have been coming to Liverpool for centuries. Located in North West England, Liverpool is the sixth largest city in the UK. It sits within the county of Merseyside. Moreover, its status as a port city has contributed to its diverse population. Famous for The Beatles, world-class football as home to both Liverpool and Everton, it was named as European Capital of Culture in 2008. Read on to hear about some of the best places to live in Liverpool. Additionally, find out where to buy or rent in the area.

Go to article

Merseyside

Merseyside is an area in the northwest of England, bordered by Cheshire to the south and Wales to the west. Stretching across both banks of the Mersey River and centred around the bustling metropolis of Liverpool, Merseyside offers a huge range of living locations, from city-centre to semi-rural. Despite being a heavily populated and urbanised area, Merseyside does have some greenbelt areas spread throughout the county, especially in the Wirral and around Southport that offer country living right next door to the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the UK.

Go to article

Salford

If you're looking for a place to live that has plenty of opportunity for both work and play, look no further than Salford. This metropolitan borough in the North West of England is home to over 240,000 people and boasts world-class universities, top schools, and lively nightlife. Whether you're just starting out on your own or have a growing family, there's something for everyone in Salford. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at what makes Salford such an amazing place to live.

Go to article