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.

4.63
Average Location Score

Excellent

72%

Very Good

20%

Average

6%

Disappointing

1%

Very Poor

1%

Best places to live in North West England

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

Salford in North West England

Where is North West England?

North West England describes the region to the south of the Scottish border and west of Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East of England. It is bordered to the south by the East and West Midlands regions.

North West England regions

North West England is made up of five main regions. We take a look at each of these below.

Lancashire

The county of Lancashire sits below Cumbria, bordered to the east by North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, and to the south by Greater Manchester and Merseyside. Although the county town is Lancaster, the city of Preston is the administrative centre of the county.

Historically, Lancashire included Manchester and Liverpool, making it a manufacturing powerhouse during the Industrial Revolution. However, its boundaries were significantly changed in 1974, losing what became Greater Manchester and Merseyside, as well as its northern section to what became Cumbria.

The Lake District in Cumbria, North West England

Cumbria

Renowned for its rugged scenery, Cumbria is England’s third-largest county, but also one of the most sparsely-populated. The Lake District National Park falls within its boundaries, as well as parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, making it a popular destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts and sightseers.

The county town of Cumbria is Carlisle. The county’s northern edge forms the Scottish border, with Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire and Lancashire bordering to the south and east. Its westerly coastline faces the Irish Sea.

Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester was formed as a county in 1974, incorporating parts of the historic Cheshire, Lancashire and West Riding of Yorkshire counties. It includes the metropolitan boroughs of Wigan, Tameside, Trafford, Rochdale, Stockport, Oldham, Bolton and Bury, as well as Manchester and Salford.

Successfully building on its industrial past, Greater Manchester as a region has forged a new identity around thriving media and digital sectors, as well as world-famous sports teams/facilities and its music scene.

Liverpool in North West England

Merseyside

Also created in 1974, the county of Merseyside constitutes the five metropolitan boroughs of Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley, St Helens and the city of Liverpool. The county is largely urban in terms of land usage, with some semi-rural and rural areas.

Merseyside gets its name from the Mersey Estuary, which splits the region in two. The city of Liverpool sits on the northen bank of the river, with regular ferry services connecting to Birkenhead and the Wirral on the southern side.

Cheshire

The county of Cheshire is a mostly rural region, along with major urban areas such as its principal city Cheshire and other centres such as Crewe, Macclesfield and Runcorn. Its economy is diverse, and includes the agricultural, financial, tourism and automotive sectors.

The county’s best-known exports include Cheshire Cheese, silk and salt – which has been mined in the area since Roman times. This has led to a thriving chemical industry in the region, which now includes the Essar Refinery at Ellesmere Port.

Population of North West England

The population of North West England was estimated at 7.3 million in 2019, according to figures from datacommons.org. Ethnicity of residents predominantly identify as ‘White’, with almost 5% ‘South Asian’ and just over 1% ‘Black’. However, Manchester and Liverpool are two of the most diverse cities in Europe.

North West England Cities

The largest cities in North West England are Manchester and Liverpool. Other cities in the region include Carlisle, Chester, Lancaster, Preston and Salford.

Reviews in North West England

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Comfortable Living with Welcoming Atmosphere at Riverside

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

This place near Spinningfields is super safe and clean. It’s a short 15-minute walk to the main shops like the Arndale. You’ve got handy stores nearby—Sainsbury’s, Tesco Extra and M&S. There isn’t any free parking, but there are car parks close by and easy transportation options. Taking out the bins is easy—just downstairs and into the chute or skip. I’m on the third floor, and it’s pretty quiet without much traffic noise.

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When I step into Riverside, the lounge area immediately wraps me in its inviting ambiance. I love that there’s a free coffee and drinks machine available; it’s a nice perk when I’m craving a warm beverage. My studio is snug and comfortable, although there’s a lingering smell likely from previous tenants’ pets. Fortunately, it dissipates within seconds after entering, mostly noticeable when I return from outside.

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

Initially worried about the move from Riverview, given the larger space and abundance of windows in my previous apartment, I was pleasantly surprised. The new place feels cozier, and surprisingly, I haven’t had to turn on the heating since it retains warmth quite well. Glad I made the change!

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

The building management is impressively proactive. Upon reporting any issues to the concierge, they promptly log and escalate the matter, leading to swift action by the management team.

4
Facilities
3
Design
5
Location
3
Value
4
Management
User submitted image of  Affinity Living Riverside, M3
User submitted image of  Affinity Living Riverside, M3
User submitted image of  Affinity Living Riverside, M3
User submitted image of  Affinity Living Riverside, M3
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Great Flats in Ancoats

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

The good aspects are that it’s in the city centre but still in a relatively quiet area (all the bars shut after 23:00). Bad aspects are that the price of everything is higher because it’s in the city.

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I have been living in Smiths Yard for two years and I’m very happy here. Ancoats is the ideal location, it has a great selection of coffee shops, bars and restaurants but still remains quiet enough at night. The flats are very modern and well designed, perfect for sharing. There’s a communal room downstairs with a tv including Netflix, and the concierge is always very helpful and attentive.

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

I wish I would’ve known more about the parking situation. It can be very expensive to hire a space and there isn’t really anywhere to park a car short term.

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

Yes. We had some problems with the washing machine and the maintenance man came within a few days and sorted it.

4
Facilities
4
Design
5
Location
3
Value
4
Management
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Amazing place!

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

Everything has been fantastic since I moved in. Lovely flat with great views. The staff are also so nice and helpful, especially Georgios from the front desk.

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A short walk from Deansgate and just minutes away from the tram and train stations, everything is conveniently close in this fantastic location. I absolutely love the design, and the facilities, including the pool and gym, are exceptional. There are also several restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops nearby, adding to the overall convenience.

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

It’s a fantastic place to live- make sure you join the Deansgatesquare app to engage with the community.

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

Yes. Immediately replaced the battery on the front door within 24 hours of asking

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Love living here!

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

My first month in West Tower has been absolutely delightful! It has quickly become a place that feels like home, with a strong sense of community. The reception staff, in particular Georgios, are always extremely pleasant and helpful.

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Living here is incredibly convenient, with excellent gym and swimming pool facilities. The design of the entire area is beautiful, with lots of facilities and services included. The location is perfect, allowing easy walking access to the city center.

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

The views are absolutely stunning! Everything has been wonderful.

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

The building management has been responsive to any concerns I’ve raised.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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