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.

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Best places to live in Manchester

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

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Getting Around Manchester

If you haven’t visited Manchester for a few years you might be in for a surprise. The city’s skyline has changed dramatically in the last decade, with new residential development springing up around the city centre. More people are living in Manchester city centre than ever before.

“The tram station is a minute away which is a huge deal for me. Super easy to get around town because of that. We’re also in range of a lot of restaurants so deliveroo and Uber eats are awesome for us. So many choices. Overall we’re in a really great location.” Mark-Christian, Verified Resident of The Trilogy

Spinningfields is one of the richest areas to live in Manchester. It is an area popular with footballers and soap stars. The amenities, array of restaurants and bars on the doorstep make this a highly desirable area; if you can afford the price. The River Irwell runs right through the heart of Spinningfields with developments Potato Wharf to the west and 10-12 Whitworth Street to the east. There are communal areas such as Hardman Square where local workers meet for lunch.

“The area is the best, its quiet but close to centre, close to the canal. Its close to the deansgate station. And its close to deansgate so loads of bars and restaurants there.” Anon, Verified Resident of Potato Wharf

The Alternative Areas of Manchester

The reputation of Ancoats isn’t the best and was once viewed as the rough area of Manchester. A recent regeneration has allowed the dilapidated mills and deserted streets to become a much popular area. With new luxury flats like Flint Glass Wharf and The Ice Plant that are rated as some of the best places to live in Manchester, there are shops, bars, and new restaurants opening on a weekly basis and a flood of new residents moving to this area.

The Northern Quarter has a similar reputation to Ancoats with once empty streets now home to cafes, chic vintage shops or hip new bars. Local Mancunians are drawn to this area for the uniqueness and eclectic offering of property like Nuovo Apartments and Burlington House with sites between the two. Not as cheap as Ancoats it is not as expensive as other city centre areas. You are more likely to find quirky spaces, high ceilings, or conversions full of character. For many Castlefield boasts the best of both worlds. The convenience of town just a five-minute walk away but it is more peaceful, quiet and has some stunning views down by the canal. Many locals feel you get the best of both worlds living here.

“The area is brilliant – we are so central to town – and Ancoats is really up and coming at the moment. The only downsides are the noisy road outside – but that is to be expected anywhere central!” Naomi, Verified Resident of Nuovo Apartments

Outside the City Centre

For something new, visit Salford Quays. Whilst not the city centre every day the two seem to merge closer and closer. Salford Quays has become the media hub of not just Manchester but the UK with the iconic MediaCity. Many companies are relocating to the north west bringing with them new residents who are making this area of the city their home at developments like Middlewood Locks and Wilburn Basin. Both rated as great places to rent in Manchester. Salford Quays offers riverside living with shops, architecture and scenic views.

You can find out more about living in Manchester by reading reviews from residents. Click on the developments below to find out more about residents’ experiences and discover great places to rent in Manchester. If there’s a Manchester property that you can’t see on HomeViews, you can add a new listing and leave your review here.

Featured developments in Manchester

Reviews in Manchester

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Amazing

Review Date Jan 2021

Media City is the best place to live in Greater Manchester great restaurant and the views are Amazing

Please review your development:

I love living here at The Greenrooms the Apartment and facilities are excellent and all the staff are amazing highly recommend this place everyone one of the staff are just so helpful the designs are great the effect put in to this project has paid off because it looks great love living here

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

Keep up to date with the Facebook Instagram and emails always something going on

If there is one thing you would change about your flat or property what would it be:

The only thing I would change is that I would love to be able to buy my apartment not rent it !

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Manager Response

Hi Georgie,

Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. I am delighted to read that you love living here and the surrounding area.

Warm regards

Delaney
Lettings Manager

A place to call Home

Review Date Jan 2021

Having moved in during the pandemic there hasn’t been too much traveling around. However, all necessities are within walking distance with a supermarket a minute away, a small outlet mall around the corner, and for anything else, deliveries are easy with the concierge arranging packages to be placed in the secure storage room. The area is pretty by the water and the transport links are just a hop, skip, and jump away from the building too. All in all, we really like the area.

Please review your development:

I don’t really have a bad word to say about The Green Rooms. From the moment we stepped into the building and got our keys, we’ve felt at home. The building is secure with good design touches, from the mailboxes to the magazines dotted around, to the location of the gym, office space, and even bin room. The flat itself is nice and spacious and comes with all the basic appliances, leaving less to worry about when moving in. The building itself is quiet and you don’t hear noises from neighbouring flats which is great!

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

Not being able to upgrade the internet through the provider Glide as the infrastructure isn’t set up yet to handle added capacity.

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

All staff are wonderful, friendly, and approachable. A big shout out to the usual suspects, Avril, Delaney, Steve, Sam, Jess, Jackie, and Tom

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Manager Response

Hello Gideon

Thank you for the lovely review and glad you feel at home in your apartment.

We will raise your concerns with the internet with the provider and contact you directly you on the matter.

Have a lovely day

Kind regards

Avril & the Team

The GreenRooms- a great place to live

Review Date Jan 2021

Great location with a good selection of restaurants and coffee shops. Close to the city centre with handy tram links. It’s lovely to walk around media city & along the water. Very safe community feel to the area!

Please review your development:

Love living at the Green Rooms. The apartment is high spec and just has a nice feel to it. Great size balcony and amazing views over the water! There is a well equipped and very handy gym, as well as a community area with sofas which is great for working from home. Management are really approachable and friendly and are really quick to help with anything you need. It’s also great that there is a night concierge which means there is always someone about. It makes the place feel very safe. The best thing about the green rooms is that it’s pet friendly, it’s so hard to find an apartment in Manchester that allows dogs so it’s a real plus for me!

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

Parking is expensive and not onsite, but if you are able to do a short walk there is cheaper parking around Salford quays area.

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

Reported issue with my washing machine- was sorted within 24 hours!

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Manager Response

Hello Sophie,

Thank you for leaving us such a nice review.
We are delighted that you and the doggies are really happy and love living here!

Have a good day!

Warm regards

Delaney

Fantastic development

Verified Resident

Review Date Dec 2020

Would highly recommend Chapel Wharf the area is great . Easy access to the city centre on your doorstep

Please review your development:

Moved in the middle of December and from the start of the process to moving in date the management team were excellent . The accommodation is lovely and spacious , bright and the balcony is very big which is great as I have a dog .
Would highly recommend Chapel Wharf . Undergoing parking is ideal