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BEST UK CITY TO LIVE

investinmanchester.com

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Living in Manchester 2

Centrally connected 3

World class entertainment 7

Cultural renaissance 9

Dining 11

One-stop shopping 12

A leading sport city 15

Where to live 16

Education 18

Greater Manchester: Educational institutes per borough 22

Appendix 24

ContentsManchester is officially the Best UK City to Live, where quality of life is second to none. This guide provides an overview of life in Manchester, from where to live and how to get around to the best schools, bars, restaurants and experiences in the city region.

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Living in Manchester Manchester is a truly diverse city, whether you are interested in music and the performing arts, sport and leisure, or tourism and heritage. The city region is, and always has been, a great place for living life to the full. With a population of 2.7 million, Manchester is Britain’s second largest urban area and one of the most exciting, cultural and forward-thinking cities in Europe.

With a decorated heritage and a unique blend of modern developments and historic spaces, Manchester is an exciting place to live and work, with entertainment, dining, nightlife and leisure options to delight everyone. From the natural beauty of the Lake District, Pennines and the Peak District to the buzzing urban cool of the city centre, there really is something to suit every lifestyle.

Manchester is still a cost-effective location, in spite of its qualities and popularity, something that is reflected across the board from housing costs to leisure and entertainment. You get much more for your money in Manchester, an important factor in recruiting and attracting people to work here.

Centrally connected Centrally located in the North of England, Manchester is one of the best connected and most accessible cities in the UK. The city region has a world class, multi-modal, integrated transport infrastructure that provides connectivity across the region, the UK and the world.

Manchester’s excellent transport facilities – including a comprehensive rail network, 30-mile outer ring road, and an international airport that serves more than 200 destinations – provide companies with significant opportunities to exploit both UK and global markets, as well as personal ease of travel for either business or pleasure.

ROAD

CarManchester city centre lies at the heart of an expansive motorway network. The M60 ring road makes access in and around the city centre straightforward and connects the city region’s inter-suburban links. The city centre is also surrounded by an inner-city ring road, and it offers substantial parking options from on-street pay-and-display bays to privately operated car parks, some of which offer competitive daily rates. Most rail and Metrolink stations on the outskirts of Greater Manchester also operate Park and Ride schemes, making travel from the suburbs into the city centre even easier.

BusGreater Manchester has a comprehensive bus network offering fast and frequent services to many destinations. Tickets can be purchased per journey, but money-saving daily, weekly or monthly passes are also available. System One Travel offers travelcards which can be used for bus only, or a combination of buses, trains and in some cases city zone tram travel.

Free busThe free bus operates two circular routes in Manchester and connects business districts to train, tram and bus stations. The free bus runs every ten minutes Monday to Saturday and 15 minutes after 6.30pm.

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RAIL

TrainManchester offers great access to other major UK cities. Direct services between Manchester and London run every 20 minutes with Virgin Trains, and the journey takes just over 2 hours. Local rail services also connect Manchester Airport with Greater Manchester districts and the city centre.

Single, return, and season tickets between a station in the Greater Manchester rail network and the city centre can also be used within the city zone of the Metrolink network. Additionally, System One Travel offers county travelcards that can be used on trams, trains and buses for one price.

MetrolinkManchester’s Metrolink is a tram/light rail system that radiates from Manchester city centre to termini at Manchester Airport, Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury, East Didsbury, Eccles, MediaCityUK and Rochdale. Daily, weekly or season tickets are available, offering savings for frequent travellers, and free Wi-Fi is available on every tram on the Metrolink network.

Journey times to other UK cities

Destination Trains p/hr

Journey time (train)

Flights p/day

Journey time (flight)

Distance in miles

Car journey time

London 3 2hr 8m 22 1hr 200 3hr 30m

Birmingham 3 1hr 30m - - 87 1hr 30m

Bristol 2 2h 50m - - 168 2hr 50m

Newcastle 4 2hr 20m - - 145 2hr 20m

Edinburgh 2 3hr 40m 7 1hr 10m 217 3hr 40m

Leeds 7 49m - - 43 55m

Liverpool 6 32m - - 34 45m

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AIR

Manchester AirportWith three terminals handling more than 27 million passengers each year, Manchester Airport is the global gateway to the North of England. It is the largest UK regional airport with 65 airlines connecting passengers to more than 200 destinations including Dubai, Mumbai, Beijing and Hong Kong, and no more than one stop away from anywhere in the world.

Amsterdam

81Hong Kong

7

New York

21

San Francisco

3

Mumbai

5

Zürich

14

Beijing

4

Paris

56

Dubai

21

Singapore

5

Houston

5

Frankfurt

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World class entertainmentAs one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the UK, Manchester’s always got something on. With a rolling calendar of art exhibitions, concerts, markets and theatre performances, you’ll never be without world class entertainment.

Venues big and small – from the Manchester Arena, Victoria Warehouse and the Bridgewater Hall to The Deaf Institute, Band on the Wall and Albert Hall – fill the city with music and performance every night.

Festivals and events such as Manchester International Festival and Manchester Pride, as well as venues including Manchester Arena and Bridgewater Hall, regularly attract

global names and audiences, while two of the most popular football teams in the world, Manchester United and Manchester City, keep the city cheering and chanting.

There is also a wide selection of dining, drinking and entertainment options across Manchester’s districts and hotspots, providing something for everyone.

Direct flights from Manchester Airport (per week)

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Altrincham MarketA ‘market for modern times’ – home to an eclectic range of kitchens, a coffee shop, a chocolatier, a wine shop and craft beer bar. With indoor and outdoor seating as well as a range of independent shops, Altrincham Market has something for everyone.

SpinningfieldsHome to some of Manchester’s most popular bars, restaurants and shops including The Ivy and 20 Stories – Spinningfields is the ideal city centre neighbourhood to visit come day or night.

The Northern QuarterManchester’s hipster district is packed full of the city’s coolest bars, pubs, restaurants, cafés, and brunch spots. If you’re looking for fun, fashion, arts, or anything weird and wonderful, this is the place.

Stockport PlazaThis ‘super cinema and variety theatre’ opened in 1932 and the art deco gem still hosts stage presentations including family pantomimes, musicals, comedians and concerts – as well as showing classic films.

The LowryA magnificent building by Salford Quays that houses three stunning theatres alongside galleries showcasing artists of local, national and international renown.

MediaCityUKAs well as hosting a range of TV productions including The Voice UK, MediaCityUK is home to an abundance of cultural and sporting attractions, a cinema and a selection of restaurants, bars and shops.

Cultural renaissanceRecast for the 21st century as the original modern city, Manchester has experienced a rapid cultural renaissance over the past decade.

Now, young people are flocking to the city to get a piece of the action. It’s difficult to keep track of bar and restaurant openings; new hotels abound to keep up with increased tourist numbers; and original festivals and events are emerging all the time to cater for a culture-hungry demographic.

Imperial War MuseumExhibitions at IWM North explore the conflicts that Britain and the Commonwealth have been involved in since the First World War to the current day.

Portland Basin MuseumIn the attractive, waterside setting of Portland Basin, the newly refurbished Heritage centre celebrates the people, events and industries that shaped the history of Tameside.

Manchester Art GalleryManchester Art Gallery houses more than 25,000 objects and many of the city’s most important fine and decorative art works covering six centuries. The gallery offers events, tours and workshops for the whole family.

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Royal Exchange TheatreThe Royal Exchange Theatre is a seven- sided, glass-walled capsule suspended in the Victorian cotton Exchange Building in St. Ann’s Square, which hosts plays throughout the year, in addition to workshops and classes.

National Football MuseumFound in Cathedral Gardens, the National Football Museum covers four floors and houses the world’s greatest football collection of over 140,000 items. With interactive exhibits and several collections, the museum gives visitors the opportunity to explore the history of football from its very beginnings to the present day.

The WhitworthFollowing a £15m renovation to open up the historic gallery into the park it calls home, the Whitworth hosts famous exhibitions and contemporary commissions, via events both outdoors and in, for families, art lovers and friends.

DiningManchester’s food and drink scene is thriving. With new restaurants, bars, gastropubs, and cafés opening weekly, the city has established itself as one of the UK’s most exciting foodie destinations.

From fine dining and afternoon tea to pop-up markets and humble street food, Greater Manchester is packed with options to suit any mood or budget; and thanks to the region’s rich multicultural heritage, visitors will find cuisine from all over the world – from African and Asian to Middle Eastern and South American.

With the Vegetarian Society originally having its roots in Manchester, it’s no surprise that vegetarian and vegan diets are also well catered for here. Manchester also has its own Chinatown, the largest outside of London – an area that boasts superb restaurants, bakeries and oriental supermarkets.

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One-stop shopping Manchester is a shopaholic’s dream. From the designer boutiques of King Street or the high street chains around the Arndale Centre and St Ann’s Square, to the independent and vintage offering of Affleck’s and the Northern Quarter, the city’s shopping options are countless.

Market StreetMarket Street is one of the main shopping streets in the city centre. An entirely pedestrianised zone, shops such as Primark, H&M and Marks & Spencer are all located along the street, which stretches from Piccadilly Gardens to Deansgate.

The Makers’ MarketMeet all of Manchester’s unique creatives, creators, makers, designers, producers, bakers, musicians and artists and market events that take place across all corners of Greater Manchester.

Northern QuarterThe Northern Quarter includes a large number of boutique and vintage shops, specialising in clothes and music as well as numerous independent bars, cafés and restaurants. The area also includes Afflecks, a three-storey indoor market with dozens of independent stalls and boutiques.

The AvenueManchester’s luxury shopping destination, The Avenue in Spinningfields, is where retailers showcase the best international fashion collections in the North West. Collections from Flannels, DKNY, Armani, Mulberry, All Saints and many more are located here.

Manchester ArndaleEurope’s third largest city centre shopping outlet, Manchester Arndale has more than 200 units including Selfridges in addition to an 800-seat food court.

Lowry OutletOverlooking Manchester’s historic waterfront, the city’s only outlet mall offers up to 70% off RRP at more than 80 fashion, beauty and homeware stores.

intu Trafford CentreLocated five miles from the city centre is the intu Trafford Centre, a vast indoor shopping complex offering more than 230 stores including John Lewis, Hollister, Pandora, and Guess. In addition to the shops there are more than 36 restaurants and fast food eateries, a 20-screen cinema and a range of leisure facilities including the Sealife Centre, Legoland Discovery Centre, Adventure Golf, Laser Quest and an array of sporting facilities in the adjacent Trafford Quays Leisure Village.

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A leading sport cityManchester is an unrivalled destination for sport, from the perspective of both spectators and competitors. Since hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2002, there has been an influx of investment in sports in the city, offering high class facilities.

For football fans, Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium offer the opportunity to watch two of the most famous football clubs in the world, but the beautiful game isn’t the only sport Manchester has to offer. Cricket enthusiasts can head to Emirates Old Trafford, home to the Lancashire County Cricket Club, which hosts the Ashes as well as various international test matches.

Fans of cycling should visit the National Cycling Centre, which includes an indoor velodrome and BMX arena. The velodrome has been cited as one of the reasons for Great Britain’s success in international cycling events and is open to members of the public for frequent taster and practice sessions. In addition to the velodrome, Manchester is also home to the national squash and basketball centres – testament to the city’s sporting prowess.

For those who want to participate in sporting events, there are plenty of opportunities to do so in Manchester, including the Manchester Marathon and the Great Manchester Run, Europe’s largest 10k run, which around 40,000 people participate in. Similarly, the Great Manchester Swim is held outdoors in Salford Quays every year and is open to people of all abilities.

Trafford Quays Leisure Village offers skiing and snowboarding on real snow slopes, go-carting, play golf and zip lining, and Manchester has a number of leading health and fitness clubs, such as David Lloyd Leisure, Living Well, Fitness First and Bannatyne Health Clubs.

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Where to live Greater Manchester is a cost-effective location, which is reflected across the board from travel costs to house prices. The lower cost of living in the city region, compared with the rest of the UK, means that salaries and hourly rates of pay can realistically remain competitive, without adversely affecting levels of personal disposable income.

Main residential areasIf city living is what you are after then Castlefield, The Northern Quarter and the Green Quarter are the property hotspots, with a wealth of one and two-bedroom modern penthouses and converted loft apartments.

Elsewhere, there are a number of popular areas dotted along the arterial routes out of the city. Just a few miles south of the city centre are Chorlton and Didsbury, which are traditionally the pick of the bunch thanks to their cosmopolitan, café culture environments as well as their mix of modern apartments and traditional houses.

To the north, Whitefield and Prestwich offer a good choice of accommodation along with a good restaurant and bar scene. Affluent areas including Alderley Edge and Wilmslow are just 15 miles south of the city and home to a number of Manchester United and Manchester City footballers.

Average housing prices for key areas of ManchesterSource: Zoopla, 2019

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Average monthly rent in key areas across ManchesterSource: Home.co.uk, 2019

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4 bedroom 1 bedroom 2 bedroom 3 bedroom

Motorway Network

Greater Manchester

KEY:

M66

M62

M62

M61

M60M

60

M60

M62

M602

M56

M67

A627(M)

Stockport

Salford/MediaCityUK

Prestwich

Whitefield

Northern Quarter / Green Quarter

Didsbury

Chorlton

Altrincham

Alderley Edge/ Wilmslow

Castlefield

Sale

Wigan

Rochdale

Ashton-under-Lyne

Oldham

Bolton

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Education

SchoolsFinding the right educational establishment for your children is a vitally important decision when relocating to a new area, no matter what stage of education they are at, and Manchester is well served by educational establishments that are well represented within national rankings.

Whether you’re looking for a nursery, primary or secondary school, Manchester has some excellent schools including state-run, independent, same or mixed gender, and faith schools; so deciding upon placing your child in a school based upon pastoral and religious grounds, or whether same sex or mixed schools are considerations that will form the basis of your choice – there is a school to meet your needs.

Ofsted reportsOfsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, as well as services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. Reports for every school and nursery in Greater Manchester can be accessed via the Ofsted website.

Top 20 state and private primary schools in Greater Manchester*

Bowdon Church School Trafford

Brooklands Primary School Trafford

Caldershaw Primary School Rochdale

Golborne Community Primary School Wigan

Lowton Junior and Infant School Wigan

Nicol Mere School Wigan

Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch School Salford

Orrell St James RC Primary School Wigan

Park Road Sale Primary School Trafford

Pownall Green Primary School Stockport

Queensgate Primary School Stockport

St Christopher’s RC Primary School Tameside

St Joseph’s RC Primary School Trafford

St Margaret Mary’s RC Primary School Manchester

St Michael’s C of E Primary School Rochdale

Stalyhill Junior School Tameside

Tyldesley Primary School Wigan

Well Green Primary School Trafford

Westwood Academy Oldham

Worthington Primary School Trafford

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*Source: The Sunday Times Best UK Schools Guide 2019

Top 20 state and private secondary schools in Greater Manchester*

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Trafford

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Trafford

Bolton School Boys’ Division Bolton

Bramhall High School Stockport

Bury Grammar School (formerly Bury Grammar School Boys) Bury

Cheadle Hulme School Stockport

Chetham’s School of Music Manchester

Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham Trafford

Manchester High School for Girls Manchester

Oldham Hulme Grammar School Oldham

Sale Grammar School Trafford

St Ambrose College Trafford

St Edmund Arrowsmith RC High School Wigan

St Peter’s RC High School Wigan

Stockport Grammar School Stockport

The Blue Coat School, Oldham Oldham

The King David High School, Manchester Manchester

The Manchester Grammar School Manchester

Walkden High School Salford

Withington Girls’ School Manchester

Top 10 state and private colleges in Greater Manchester*

Aquinas College Stockport

Ashton Sixth Form College Tameside

Holy Cross College Bury

Loreto Sixth Form College Manchester

Marple Sixth Form College Stockport

Oldham Sixth Form College Oldham

Rochdale Sixth Form College Rochdale

St Bede’s College Manchester

Winstanley College Wigan

Xaverian College Manchester

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Greater Manchester

M67

M60

M60

M602

M56

M60

M66

M61

M6

M62

M62

Educational institutes per borough

Bury73 22 10

Bolton114 36 22 1

Wigan112 31 11

Salford96 38 1 1

Trafford83 25 19 1

Rochdale

76 20 8

Oldham

99 25 9

90 25 10

Tameside

Stockport

107 32 17

Manchester161 60 32 2

Key:

Primaries Secondaries Further Education

Universities

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Appendix

Rent (£pcm) - (Home.co.uk, 2019) Area  One bedroom Two Bedroom Three Bedroom Four bedroom

Alderley Edge £890 £1,110 £1,410 £2,400

Altrincham £680 £990 £1,520 £1,860

Ashton-under-Lyne £450 £530 £690 £1,200

Bolton £440 £550 £680 £1,080

Castlefield £1,050 £1,300 £2,030 -

Chorlton £610 £850 £1,060 £1,450

Didsbury £640 £870 £1,140 £1,410

MediaCity £750 £1,080 £1,470 -

Northern Quarter/Ancoats £790 £1,030 £1,730 -

Oldham £430 £530 £700 £730

Prestwich £540 £650 £860 £1,240

Rochdale £410 £480 £610 £910

Salford £800 £1,000 £1,200 £1,300

Stockport £620 £830 £1,030 £1,430

Whitefield £540 £690 £780 £1,330

Wigan £410 £490 £560 £840

House Prices (Zoopla, 2019)

Area  Detached Semi-detached Terraced Flats

Alderley Edge £1,047,000 £545,000 £395,000 £273,000

Altrincham £755,000 £407,000 £362,000 £242,000

Ashton-under-Lyne £235,000 £157,000 £113,000 £87,000

Bolton £288,000 £155,000 £106,000 £110,000

Castlefield - - £301,000 £199,000

Chorlton £543,000 £394,000 £329,000 £174,000

Didsbury £783,000 £440,000 £363,000 £253,000

MediaCity - - - £180,000

Northern Quarter/Ancoats - - £292,000 £199,000

Oldham £278,000 £163,000 £105,000 £124,000

Prestwich £376,000 £246,000 £186,000 £163,000

Rochdale £259,000 £138,000 £105,000 £115,000

Salford  £320,000   £215,000   £177,000   £160,000 

Stockport £404,000 £285,000 £232,000 £160,000

Whitefield £437,000 £200,000 £153,000 £178,000

Wigan £248,000 £146,000 £98,000 £103,000

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