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

81.8

Very Good

14.0

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

4.94

(88 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

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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

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The Trilogy, M15

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2025

4.89

(350 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

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Award Winner 2024

Poplin, M4

By Native Communities

Award winner 2024

4.84

(68 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 five 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

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Angel Gardens, M4

By Moda Living

Award winner 2025

4.79

(371 reviews)

£1,320-£2,385 pcm

Studios, 1, 2, 3 beds

Angel Gardens, by Moda Living, 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. Pay your rent, book community events or chat to your neighbours with the MyModa app.

5th

Ranked 5th out of 67 in Manchester

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Page 1 of 17

Featured developments in Manchester

Latest Reviews in Manchester

3700 total reviews

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Viewing 1-5 out of 3700

Aydan B (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Sept 2025

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

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

Worth looking into!

Aydan B (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Sept 2025

The building is nice, reception and lounges are beautiful but the actual flats don’t have a lot of space for what you pay, no balcony and the windows don’t really open. if you’re a couple a one bed apartment might be too small for you, you’d definitely be better off looking at a two bed. It’s hard to describe the experience with management as there’s so much they’ve done for me within minutes that I would have never expected like cleaning my flat with professional cleaners after a leak and other times that things have been “being looked into” for sometimes over a year, for example the parcel collection system needs improvement but doesn’t seem to have gone anywhere when raised. We also had a problem where the windows were not cleaned for over a year, but I get the feeling it isn’t the staff that work at the building that are to blame. You’re definitely not going to live in a flat with maintenance issues that won’t be dealt with like other flats in the city, that much I can guarantee. I wish the terrace had a bit more going on, some colour would be good or a design that catches the sun more, maybe some loungers or plug sockets so you can work outside?

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

The area is fantastic, I’ve lived in northern quarter/ancoats for a couple of years and absolutely love it

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

As mentioned before, some incredibly promptly and some with fairly vague answers and not for months, it’s hard to describe!

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

The windows don’t open which makes it incredibly hot in the summer, if you’re on a flat next to Romona you will be able to hear the music through your windows also

・・

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

HomeViews

Nicole leech (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Sept 2025

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

We really enjoy the amenities within the building and how social the building is at meeting other tenants. We love the location and can’t wait to carry on the year in our new flat.

Nicole leech (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Sept 2025

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

Swan street house has a perfect location for us, we are two students so need access to transport trams, busses and trains often all of these modes of transport are in walking distance of the flat we love it. There are loads of bars and restaurants in northern quarter and ancoats which we enjoy. We have chosen to park off site as parking within the building was too expensive however this did not effect our choice of apartment as we live the location and range of shops in the area.

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

They have helped us out straight away on move in day with any of our little hiccups.

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

I would have liked an appliance run down of what furniture is included within the flat, as we didn’t get to view our property before moving in . This was no issue at all.

Review image for review 1abbba90-6cae-4308-8091-7a5671ef6011

・・

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

HomeViews

Omar Ghazal (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Kampus, M1

Sept 2025

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

The Kampus development has been thoughtfully designed

Omar Ghazal (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Kampus, M1

Sept 2025

The Kampus development has been thoughtfully designed, combining modern apartments with character from the renovated mill buildings. The facilities are high quality, with secure entry, communal spaces, a gym, and beautiful garden areas around the canal that create a peaceful atmosphere despite being central. Management is responsive and helpful, with good communication on maintenance issues and community events.

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

Kampus is right in the centre of Manchester, surrounded by a fantastic range of restaurants, bars, and independent shops, with the Northern Quarter and Canal Street just a short walk away. Transport links are excellent, with Piccadilly Station and tram stops nearby. The canal and garden space provide calm green areas to enjoy, which is rare in the city centre. The only downsides are some traffic and nightlife noise at weekends, and parking is limited, but overall it’s an unbeatable location.

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

Management team was always helpful and acted fast with any issues specially Edmer and Joseph.

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

The central location is fantastic, but it also means you may hear some nightlife noise during weekends

・・

HomeViews

Mollie (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Sept 2025

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Lovely apartments

Mollie (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Sept 2025

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

Great location, within 5 minutes to the northern quarter and 10 minutes to Ancoats, lots of lovely restaurants, bars and cafes. A lovely vibe and very friendly people. Tram and bus stops are very local nd I have never had any issues with traffic noise or antisocial behaviour.

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

The staff have always been very friendly and helpful whenever assistance is needed.

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

Everything was as expected when I moved into the development

・・

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

HomeViews

Alyssa L (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Sept 2025

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Satisfying Stay in Swan Street House

Alyssa L (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Sept 2025

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

I love the location, good accessibility, so many shops nearby such as Arndale and Selfridges. Good and comfy living environment.

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

Very quick and efficient, they will answer and tackle all the issues.

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

They did promise us about gym place "In Sept", but it is not there yet

Review image for review ca70a258-fcb8-488d-97dd-a07b2d051efa

・・

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

HomeViews

Page 1 of 740

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

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