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

83.3%

Very Good

12.8%

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 87

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The Castings, M1

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.97

(196 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 68 in Manchester

View development

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The Trilogy, M15

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2025

4.9

4.90

(398 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 68 in Manchester

View development

Rental Only

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.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 68 in Manchester

View development

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

The James Manchester, M4

By The James

Award winner 2025

4.79

(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

View development

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

Apo at Angel Gardens, M4

By Apo

Award winner 2025

4.78

(393 reviews)

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

View development

Page 1 of 18

Featured developments in Manchester

Latest Reviews in Manchester

4474 total reviews

Write a review

Viewing 1-5 out of 4474

Enya fisher (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Jun 2026

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Great place

Enya fisher (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Swan Street House, M4

Jun 2026

I have had a very positive experience living in this building. The property is well-maintained, clean, and offers a welcoming atmosphere for residents. The amenities are a standout feature, providing excellent convenience and comfort. The fitness center is modern and well-equipped, while the communal spaces are thoughtfully designed and always kept in great condition. The building management is responsive and professional, ensuring that any maintenance requests or concerns are addressed promptly. Security measures provide peace of mind, and the overall environment feels safe and friendly. The location is also excellent, with easy access to shops, restaurants, public transport, and other essential services. Overall, this building offers a high standard of living with great amenities, excellent management, and a strong sense of community. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable and enjoyable place to call home.

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

One of the best aspects of living in my local area is the strong social scene, with plenty of friendly pubs, bars, and community events that make it easy to meet people. Many venues are dog-friendly, which is great for pet owners and creates a welcoming atmosphere. On the downside, popular nightlife spots can be noisy on weekends, and parking can sometimes be difficult due to the area's popularity. Overall, it offers a lively and sociable environment with good amenities.

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

Really good when the washing machine had an issue and painted our wall

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

That the gym was not going to open for a while and theres no bin chute

・・

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

HomeViews

J al (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Trilogy, M15

Jun 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Smiley staff and relaxed living

J al (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Trilogy, M15

Jun 2026

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

Really lovely area, it’s good to be a little bit out of city centre to get a feel of city living and outskirts of town

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

Yes, staff are really helpful and always help everyone out

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

I like that we are so close to town yet a little outside the busyness. Lots of cafes and shops near by and lovely people and walking around to explore

・・

HomeViews

J Wei (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Kampus, M1

Jun 2026

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

convenient location

J Wei (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Kampus, M1

Jun 2026

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

Very convenient location, within walking distance of uni, city centre and train station. There are plenty of restaurants and also a Sainsbury's downstairs.

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

The app makes it easy to log issues and everything is well organised. The service is very efficient, with requests often being attended to on the same day.

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

I wish I had been told there was a trolley available during move in, as my flatmate and I had to carry all the boxes one by one.

・・

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

HomeViews

elise m (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Slate Yard, M3

Jun 2026

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

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

the slate yard should be called the slay yard because of how good it is.

elise m (Tenant)

Verified Resident

The Slate Yard, M3

Jun 2026

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

very close to the centre with lots of shops around for daily things. beautiful river next to it, so the views are always gorgeous

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

yes, thy put more mats in the gym and they fixed some problems in our flat pretty quickly

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

remember to set up a council tax payment system. it makes life so much easier

・・

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

HomeViews

Owen (Tenant)

Unverified

Bendix, M4

Jun 2026

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Beautiful apartments, great location

Owen (Tenant)

Unverified

Bendix, M4

Jun 2026

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

Overall a great area just on the edge of Ancoats/NQ. There is a fire station nearby so during the day you can hear the fire engines if you have the windows open. Ca Phe Viet is over the road, great coffee :)

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

The building management team were brilliant from the start! Very quick to respond during the referencing process and everything got turned around within a week or so. When there were a couple of things that needed looking at upon moving in, they were dealt with promptly.

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

There’s quite a few street level car parks nearby which can be handy if you have a car.

・・

HomeViews

Page 1 of 895

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

Useful articles

North West England

North West England is one England’s nine official regions. It is made up of Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside. This corner of the UK is its third most-populated region, with Manchester and Liverpool its two principal cities. 550,000 people live in Manchester and 500,000 in Liverpool, according to estimates for 2019. Boasting stunning scenery in the Lake District and Peak District, the region also offers lively urban areas with a rich industrial, sporting and cultural heritage and a strong economic outlook.

Go to article

Cheshire

Cheshire is a county in the North West of England. It has a population of over half a million people and is known for its beautiful countryside, including the Peak District National Park. Home to many universities, Cheshire's educational system rivals that of any other county in the UK. In this guide, we'll cover all you need to know about buying property in Cheshire, from location to schools and everything in between!

Go to article

Cumbria

Cumbria is a county in the north of England, and one of the most beautiful places to live. There are many factors that go into choosing where to live, but Cumbria has something for everyone! From the beautiful scenery to the great schools, there's no wonder why it has become such a popular place. Read on for more information about this wonderful region.

Go to article

Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester has a stellar reputation and is widely regarded as 'the capital of the North'. The city's turbocharged economy, rich industrial heritage, sporting fame and reputation as a nightlife hotspot ensures Manchester regularly appears on lists of the best places to live in the UK. Combined with relatively low property prices, excellent transport connections and three universities, making the city a magnet for young people, and it's easy to see the appeal of Greater Manchester. Read on to find out more about the best new build developments the city has to offer.

Go to article

Lancashire

Lancashire is a county in the northwest of England, with a population of just over one million. It has been an economically important area since ancient times and was home to many major industries including cotton mills. In more recent years, Lancashire has developed into a tourist destination thanks to its natural beauty and culture. If you're looking for a place to live in the UK, then Lancashire might be just what you need. This guide will take a look at the county and outline some of its best features

Go to article

Liverpool

As a major trading port travellers have been coming to Liverpool for centuries. Located in North West England, Liverpool is the sixth largest city in the UK. It sits within the county of Merseyside. Moreover, its status as a port city has contributed to its diverse population. Famous for The Beatles, world-class football as home to both Liverpool and Everton, it was named as European Capital of Culture in 2008. Read on to hear about some of the best places to live in Liverpool. Additionally, find out where to buy or rent in the area.

Go to article

Merseyside

Merseyside is an area in the northwest of England, bordered by Cheshire to the south and Wales to the west. Stretching across both banks of the Mersey River and centred around the bustling metropolis of Liverpool, Merseyside offers a huge range of living locations, from city-centre to semi-rural. Despite being a heavily populated and urbanised area, Merseyside does have some greenbelt areas spread throughout the county, especially in the Wirral and around Southport that offer country living right next door to the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the UK.

Go to article

Salford

If you're looking for a place to live that has plenty of opportunity for both work and play, look no further than Salford. This metropolitan borough in the North West of England is home to over 240,000 people and boasts world-class universities, top schools, and lively nightlife. Whether you're just starting out on your own or have a growing family, there's something for everyone in Salford. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at what makes Salford such an amazing place to live.

Go to article