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

82.8%

Very Good

13.2%

Average

3.0%

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

4.97

(159 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 68 in Manchester

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Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The Trilogy, M15

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2025

4.89

(354 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.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 68 in Manchester

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Rental Only

Award Winner 2024

Poplin, M4

By Native Communities

Award winner 2024

4.84

(85 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.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 68 in Manchester

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The James Manchester, M4

By The James

4.8

4.80

(30 reviews)

Formerly a 19th century shoemaker's warehouse, The James Manchester has been carefully converted to offer luxury apartments, providing residents with generous spaces to recharge mind and body in a prime central location known for being a creative and culture hub. Situated in the lively Manchester's Northern Quarter, renowned for its blend of office spaces, shops, and leisure offerings, the property benefits from its proximity to the bustling business district, a variety of retail shops, and convenient transportation hubs such as train, bus, and tram stations.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 68 in Manchester

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Development image of Apo at Angel Gardens, M4

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

Apo at Angel Gardens, M4

By Apo

Award winner 2025

4.79

(393 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 68 in Manchester

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Page 1 of 17

Featured developments in Manchester

Latest Reviews in Manchester

4162 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 4162

Josh H (Tenant)

Unverified

The Astley, M1

Jan 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Great place to live in a vibrant neighbourhood

Josh H (Tenant)

Unverified

The Astley, M1

Jan 2026

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

Plenty of bars in either direction from Stevenson square and Ancoats square. Aldi right next door too.

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

Always gets everything sorted as soon as they can.

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

Not much secure personal parking options nearby

・・

HomeViews

Mia D (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Astley, M1

Jan 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

The Astley Staff are extremely helpful

Mia D (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Astley, M1

Jan 2026

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

Amazing location and amazing staff. Everyone is very nice and the flat itself is spacious with good storage options

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

fast and super helpful. Never a poblem and always kind to speak to

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

parking situations - not a lot of cheap options available

・・

HomeViews

Emily Hawkins (Tenant)

Unverified

Swan Street House, M4

Jan 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

We love living at Swan Street House

Emily Hawkins (Tenant)

Unverified

Swan Street House, M4

Jan 2026

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

Good aspects are how close the building is to Northern Quarter that has a lot of great bars and restaurants. Also the convenience of being so close to transport links like Shudehill tram stop and Victoria train station. Bad aspects are noise from nearby bars, especially in summer with windows open - in Winter it is not as bad.

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

The team downstairs are so helpful and lovely, they really go out of their way for every resident at Swan Street House. Especially Jaye and Kate, who both went above and beyond to help us and myself and my housemates are so grateful. Any issues they are so attentive and understanding, while quickly and seamlessly resolving these issues with punctual and affective communication .

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

At the time when I moved in, the gym was not yet ready which was a bit disappointing, however now it is available it is amazing amenity and so handy to have in the building .

・・

HomeViews

Anya (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Jan 2026

This is rated 1.00 out of 5.00.

Noisy

Anya (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Jan 2026

I’ve been renting for 10 years across Manchester and this has been the worst customer service I have ever recieved. For months I was woken up and disturbed by loud drilling noise from their building gym works in the early hours and outside the permitted council times. Despite explaining the stress this was having on myself and not being able to peacefully live in my flat, management offered no solution. I feel they broke their end of the tenancy agreement by falsely advertising the gym works to be completed by summer when they weren’t finished till Mid November. I also feel they never addressed their own breaching of council restriction noise from contractors they hired in the building, despite me informing them of this. I asked if I can either end my tenancy agreement early or move to an alternative flat. (They did offer me to pay an extra £400 more per month to move from a 2 bed flat to a 1 bed- which I found an extremely disrespectful offer).

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

Noisy. Building is situated next to a club, which gets very loud in the early hours and keeps residents up. Only found this out after signing tenancy agreement.

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

Never addressed any of my issues. Feel trapped in a tenancy agreement and flat I do not wish to live in.

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

If I had known noise levels would be this bad, I would never have moved in.

・・

HomeViews

Se-Ann healey (Tenant)

Unverified

The Castings, M1

Jan 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

The castings is a lovely place to live and has lots of amentities

Se-Ann healey (Tenant)

Unverified

The Castings, M1

Jan 2026

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

The good aspects of living in my local area is that it is nice 20 minute walk into the city centre. There are local shops where you can do your food shop and has lovely outdoor areas where you can walk- along the canal, where there are lovely coffee shops. This area is near the train station, meaning it is very accessible to get to other places. There is parking available and bus routes near by, sometimes it’s hard to find a place to park on side streets, however there are lots of car parks. You can hear the traffic going by but it isn’t too loud.

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

They have always pointed us in the right direction If they aren’t sure and are always accommodating. They are very fast on resolving any issues and maintained issues.

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

Good- how close it was to nearby shops pubs and bars . Accessible transport- easier than I thought to travel.

・・

HomeViews

Page 1 of 833

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

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