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

83.8%

Very Good

12.4%

Average

2.8%

Disappointing

0.6%

Very poor

0.5%

Best places to live in Manchester

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 91

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The Castings, M1

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.97

(199 reviews)

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 70 in Manchester

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Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The Trilogy, M15

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2025

4.91

(423 reviews)

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.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 70 in Manchester

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Award Winner 2024

Vox, M15

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2024

4.9

4.90

(262 reviews)

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.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 70 in Manchester

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Award Winner 2025

Poplin, M4

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.88

(92 reviews)

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 70 in Manchester

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Award Winner 2025

Leef Manchester, M4

By Leef Property Management

Award winner 2025

4.8

4.80

(30 reviews)

Previously managed by The James until July 2026, Leef Manchester is a 19th century shoemaker's warehouse that has been carefully converted to offer luxury apartments,

5th

Ranked 5th out of 70 in Manchester

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Page 1 of 19

Featured developments in Manchester

Latest Reviews in Manchester

4686 total reviews

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Viewing 1-5 out of 4686

Sona (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Wonderful Apartment Complex

Sona (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

Swan Street House is beyond amazing. Maintenance requests are responded to quickly and dealt with efficiently. The communal areas are always clean and tidy. Residents are very respectful to one another in general. The facilities, the staff, the co-working and communal areas as well as the how helpful the staff are honestly so brilliant and we are so lucky to be living here. One of the stand out staffs for us has been Holly, who kindly helped us through the process of securing the flat, settling in and is so receptive to any concerns or queries we have.

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

In the centre of Manchester, hugely convenient. Close to public transport links e.g. train station/ bus and trams. Very close to multiple supermarkets and close to cafes. bars and restaurants.

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

The management is very quick to respond, they have made reporting issues very easy via the Resident App and issues are managed quickly and timely. Very efficient team.

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

There is a fitness suite with associated changing rooms and lockers

・・

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

HomeViews

Tatenda H (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

In summary swan house is a great and beautiful place to live at.

Tatenda H (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

It’s a beautiful development, with multiples of amenities such like cinema room, private dining area/ private games room, private gym and also a large communal area. It has nice facilities and also beautiful views if you are a few floors up. The property management team is pretty good effective , very helpful and easy if you are in need of anything especially specifically from Josh Gilmore one of the staff members, he has been very helpful and supportive when need some support.

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

Residing here has been a combination of a lot of good decisions I’ve made. As it is literally in the centre of the city. You have Aldi , Tesco’s , Lidl only a few walks away. Not only that big retailers like Selfridges, Primark , Harvey Nichols all few minutes walk away, also to add the multiple of bars and restaurants that are close by, lastly would be how accessible it is for public transportation like tram , bus station and train station literally only a few blocks away from the duplex.

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

Very effective and helpful when problems are raised

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

To be able to use the amenities at any given time. It would have been nice to know that some are out of service at some hours.

・・

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

HomeViews

Win (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Great location and comfortable place to live

Win (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

Overall, I have had a very positive experience living here. The building is modern, clean and well maintained, and the facilities are convenient and easy to use. The communal areas are kept in good condition and I generally feel safe and comfortable in the building. The management team are approachable and helpful whenever I have had questions or needed assistance. The location is also one of the biggest advantages, as it is close to shops, restaurants and transport links. Like most city-centre developments, there can occasionally be some noise, but it has not been a major issue for me.

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

The area is very convenient, with plenty of shops, restaurants and cafés nearby. Public transport links are also very good, making it easy to get around Manchester. It can get a little busy and noisy at certain times, but overall it is a great location and everything I need is within easy reach.

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

Josh has generally been helpful and responsive whenever I have raised an issue. Also the building management team communicate clearly and try to resolve problems as quickly as possible.

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

I would have liked to know a little more about how busy the surrounding area can get at certain times, especially at weekends. However, the convenience of the location makes up for it, and overall I have enjoyed living here.

・・

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

HomeViews

Alex T (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Broadside, M4

Oct 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Excellent for young professionals

Alex T (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Broadside, M4

Oct 2026

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

Broadside is in the perfect locations, just on the edge of Ancoats, lots of shops, bars, restaurants & everything is walkable.

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

As said above, dealt with within 24 hours, very responsive at all times

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

You always feel safe, and you don’t hear lots of pollution from main road

・・

HomeViews

Nelson K (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Trilogy, M15

Oct 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

7 years in Trilogy

Nelson K (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Trilogy, M15

Oct 2026

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

There are 3 shops on the street co-op, Morrisons, Tesco . There’s is a variety of restaurants, Chinese restaurant, pizza shop and a coffee shop. The development is 3 minutes from cornbrook tram station and 15 minutes walk to Deansgate train station.

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

Every issue I have raised has been dealt with promptly

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

There is free coffee, hot chocolate and teas available 24/7

・・

HomeViews

Page 1 of 938

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

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