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

83.9%

Very Good

12.3%

Average

2.7%

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 Greystar

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

Podium, M16

By Allsop Letting and Management

4.93

(14 reviews)

Podium offers a selection of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments and townhouses in Stretford, Manchester, to suit every lifestyle. Designed for modern living, Podium combines comfort, convenience, and community. Residents can enjoy access to a calendar of monthly events and premium amenities including a fully equipped gym, co-working lounge, podium gardens, dedicated event space, and a 24/7 concierge service.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 70 in Manchester

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Award Winner 2025

The Trilogy, M15

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2025

4.91

(425 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.

3rd

Ranked 3rd 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

(263 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.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 70 in Manchester

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Award Winner 2025

Poplin, M4

By Greystar

Award winner 2025

4.87

(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.

5th

Ranked 5th out of 70 in Manchester

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Page 1 of 19

Featured developments in Manchester

Latest Reviews in Manchester

4758 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 4758

AB (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Slate Yard, M3

Oct 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Great place to stay. Enjoyed it

AB (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Slate Yard, M3

Oct 2026

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

Good aspect - walking distance from city center and bus stops while also retaining the silence and peace of suburbs type area

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

Usually they are good at helping out with issues. But there is one issue - sometimes the heater would feel weak in the living room in peak winters

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

The living room heater is sometimes a bit weak during winter

・・

HomeViews

I J (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Trilogy, M15

Oct 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

The building is really nice and modern

I J (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Trilogy, M15

Oct 2026

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

Building is in a really good area - the city centre is within walking distance, trams are really close and frequent. It's so nice having parking in the building, feels really nice and secure.

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

Any queries have been resolved quickly. Really easy to raise issues through the app.

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

The building puts on events every month that are such a nice touch and makes it easy to get to know your neighbours! Coffee mornings, yoga and evening socials - a really lovely offering.

・・

HomeViews

Shan D (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 apartment building

Shan D (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

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

The shops and bars close by are all really good, the traffic can be noisy but it’s not the end of the world

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

I’ve never had any issues getting problems resolved, including losing my keys it’s always been effectively managed - Holly denzel and Tom have been fab

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

The only thing I would say is parking is a nightmare around here but there are cheap places to go that are a bit of a walk

・・

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

HomeViews

Aleesha (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

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

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

A good place to live but it is expensive

Aleesha (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Oct 2026

The building is gorgeous and the amenities are great. It took a long time for the gym to open after we moved in and the completion date kept changing but since opening it has been a big asset. The building staff for the most part are good. There are some issues with the building (especially with parcels and the doors) but I don’t think it’s fair to blame the building staff for that, for the most part they try their best. Some staff are easier to communicate with than others though. When we moved in we were told frequent events and there was a period where that wasn’t happening but they have increased the frequency again which is appreciated.

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

This location is one of the best in Manchester. When flat hunting we specifically picked this building because despite the cost being more, the location is incredible. The food, drinks and shopping in the northern quarter can’t be beat. It can be quite loud and parking around expensive but you have to expect that when living city centre.

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

I’ve had a few issues since living here but in the end they’ve all been handled. Holly is a superstar, she is so helpful and kind, I think she goes out of her way to help the residents. If I’ve had a bigger issue, Kate has been able to help support and I really appreciate her as well. There are some staff that are more difficult to get a resolution out of though so it can depend on who responds to you.

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

I wish I knew that there were going to be Airbnb type rentals in the building. It wasn’t mentioned that they were developing some areas for short terms stays when I viewed the flats.

・・

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

HomeViews

Scott L (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Pomona Wharf, M15

Oct 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Oldie but a goodie

Scott L (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Pomona Wharf, M15

Oct 2026

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

Location is really good with access to the Manchester City on the tram and a short walk to the shops and bars. There is parking onsite but its not included in the rent.

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

They have a app which we can log issues and in my experience have been resolved fairly quickly compared to my old landlor.

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

The scrapyard near by can be noisy but I guess in a city centre you will always have a noise.

・・

HomeViews

Page 1 of 952

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

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