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The 10 Best Areas in Manchester to Buy a House and Unlock Your Dream Address!
Manchester is an attractive place to live in, as it’s vibrant with urban and suburban offerings. Naturally, you’ll find yourself wanting to put down roots.
But buying a house isn’t as easy as shopping for new clothes. This one’s more complicated and requires careful planning and budgeting—we’re not about to drop thousands of £ just to end up not liking the place!
To help you decide, we’re sharing our list of the best areas to buy a house in Manchester, from affordable places to premium spots. Here are our recommendations, and hopefully, you’ll find the area worth spending a lot of money on!
Prime Spots: Desirable Places in Manchester
Didsbury
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Average House Prices: £445,000 – £570,000
Average Flat Prices: £277,000 – £375,000
Best For: Families, young professionals, and students seeking a mix of urban and suburban feel
The mix of trendy and suburban feel of Didsbury makes it highly sought after in Manchester. It’s a prime location for work, play, and building a family, as there are plenty of green spaces, like Fletcher Moss, and it doesn’t fall short on things to explore.
It’s home to loads of good schools, like preschools for kids who are off to nursery. It’s also close to top-ranked universities via public transportation, like the University of Manchester.
Public transit is within reach in Didsbury, with train stations, tram stops, and bus services that will take you to the city centre. You can reach Manchester Airport in only 10 minutes via train.
Didsbury has also been named as one of the happiest places to live in the UK. While it isn’t the most affordable place to buy a house in Manchester, you get what you pay for in this sought-after destination, from seeking independent shops to good education.
| Pro Tip: Before buying a house in Didsbury, list all the things you want to prioritise. Pick a location closest to public transport if you’re travelling to the city centre a lot, or get a place near schools if you’re a family. |
Ancoats
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Average House Prices: £318,000 – £381,000
Average Flat Prices: £200,000 – £312,000
Best For: Families and young professionals looking for a mix of historic and modern vibe
One of the most desired neighbourhoods in Manchester is Ancoats because of its vibrant feel, public transport access, and close proximity to schools and universities. It was an industrial district, hence the combination of a historic and modern feel.
It’s no secret that Ancoats is trendy. It offers an excellent selection of independent shops, a thriving art community, and diverse local restaurant options (it has Manchester’s first Michelin star after over four decades).
Despite being home to loads of shops, it still has green spaces for the local community, like the newly refurbished Ancoats Green. Students will find this an excellent place to live since it’s only 10 minutes from the University of Manchester.
BTW, purchasing a house in Ancoats is considered a great investment since prices are expected to rise.
| Pro Tip: If you’re buying with the possibility of selling, look for areas that are most desirable. Check vibrant communities close to public transport. |
Prestwich
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Average House Prices: £313,000 – £455,000
Average Flat Prices: £200-000
Best For: Couples who want to settle down in an up-and-coming location
The suburb of Prestwich makes it an excellent place to live for couples looking to settle down. It’s a cool suburban destination that offers period houses, modern properties, diverse local eats, and proximity to public transport options.
You could say it’s up-and-coming, since plenty of new businesses are still popping up here and there. It brings just the right kind of energy for young and older families, with exciting pubs, art community events, and open spaces, like the massive Heaton Park.
Parents can find good schools close to neighbourhoods, like the Prestwich Preparatory School. The vibe is buzzing, as it provides an excellent mix of quiet and vibrant local life.
| Pro Tip: Check out Prestwich’s foodie community because there are plenty to discover. Try out the local spots, like The Crooked Man pub, for cask beer. |
Chorlton
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Average House Prices: £409,000 – £511,000
Average Flat Prices: £215,000
Best For: Young professionals and families who fancy the urban and suburban vibe
The buzzing Chorlton is never boring. It has a mix of creativity, accessibility, hip hangouts, and a suburban feel, making it ideal for young couples and professionals who fancy escaping to a more laid-back destination.
It’s easy to reach Chorlton from other places in Manchester, as the Metrolink tram will take you there quickly. If you fancy a quick brunch, it’s filled with various options, including vegan and global flavours, like The Jane Eyre and Tibetan Kitchen.
The vibe? Fairly chill. It’s perfect for creatives who enjoy a good social scene and don’t mind spending a few extra quid. You don’t need a vehicle to live here, as it’s a walkable place with cycling paths.
| Pro Tip: The cost of living in Chorlton is slightly higher than in other areas in Manchester. Before buying a house, we recommend walking around and getting the feel of the area before committing. |
Mid-Range Spots: A Balance of Affordability and Convenience in Manchester
Hulme
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Average House Prices: £200,000 – £266,000
Average Flat Prices: £183,000
Best For: Students who fancy living in an affordable place close to the city centre
Hulme is close to the city centre, making it ideal for anyone who fancies staying away from the busy streets of Manchester. Due to its location, you can still enjoy urban amenities, including local shops and restaurants, without the steep price tag.
There are parks in the inner city, albeit small. The Bridgewater Canal, however, is a walkable stretch that can take you to Manchester. The community centre-hosted events make it ideal for families and students who want to meet new people.
Students will find this affordable and accessible, as it’s minutes away from the top universities in Manchester. And when it’s time to head out for social scenes, Deansgate and the Northern Quarter are close by.
| Pro Tip: Students who want to live in Hulme should consider areas where there are good walking paths so they’ll feel safe going home at night. |
Salford
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Average House Prices: £215,000 – £238,000
Average Flat Prices: £182,000 – £196,000
Best For: Creatives in the media industry; families seeking a quiet place while being close to urban conveniences
Salford is best for those seeking to be in the middle of Manchester’s buzz and the stillness of nature. It’s close to the city centre and is made up of 60% green spaces, including the 48-hectare Clifton Country Park.
It’s suited for creatives and young professionals, given that MediaCityUK is located here, which houses some of the UK’s major media companies. The waterfront destination of Salford Quays brings all the food and shopping conveniences.
And if you fancy settling down, Worsley is a picturesque and tranquil spot with low crime rates. Public transportation is easy in Salford, as it has trams, trains, and buses that connect it to other cities.
| Pro Tip: Know where you want to live in Salford because one side is more vibrant, while the other areas are quieter. |
Middleton
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Average House Prices: £202,000 – £245,000
Average Flat Prices: £110,000 – £130,000
Best For: Young professionals seeking an affordable place to live near a decent social scene
Middleton has a mixed reputation. Some areas are a bit scruffy, while others are more pleasant—but that’s just how any other place is. If saving up in the long run is your priority while living in a family-friendly environment, then this is the spot.
It doesn’t have the craziest nightlife, but it offers a good variety of entertainment, like concerts and theatre. If you’d rather spend the time outdoors, Middleton has green spaces for some fresh air, including the Arklington Woods Nature Reserve.
| Pro Tip: Look at houses in the nicer parts of Middleton for a safer environment, like Arklington. |
Affordable Places: Won’t Cost a Fortune in Manchester
Cheetham Hill
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Average House Prices: £204,000 – £237,000
Average Flat Prices: £97,000 – £110,000
Best For: Families who want to settle down in a diverse community
Cheetham Hill is one of the most affordable places to live in Manchester. It’s best suited for individuals who appreciate being part of a multicultural community, as it’s a melting pot—home to people from different backgrounds and religions.
It’s mostly residential, with major plans for urbanisation. Loads of new buildings are set to be built here, so there are plenty of homes for young families or couples who are ready to slow down in a diverse neighbourhood.
Sure, it gets an unfair reputation (the prison being here doesn’t help at all), but it has a strong community spirit, where you can find freshly baked pastries in the morning and a quick chat with your neighbour.
| Pro Tip: If you fancy being near the goings-on in Manchester, pick an area closest to the Northern Quarter. |
Rusholme
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Average House Prices: £193,000 – £227, 000
Average Flat Prices: £121,000 – £156,000
Best For: Young professionals and students searching for a diverse neighbourhood
Rusholme in Greater Manchester is a vibrant location that blends suburban and urban. It’s like living in the city, where local shops pop out here and there, while having the chance to drift into some corners that offer plenty of quiet times.
It’s suitable for uni students, as it’s literally minutes from the University of Manchester, and it’s close via public transport to the University of Salford and the Manchester Metropolitan University.
Foodies will find this a great fit, considering it’s where Curry Mile is, a stretch full of South Asian and Middle Eastern restaurants. The diversity of Rusholme makes it attractive, and despite not being in the city centre, it’s still vibrant.
| Pro Tip: Rusholme has a dense population, so stick to areas that offer tranquility while being close to the food streets. |
Ardwick
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Average House Prices: £188,000 – £215,000
Average Flat Prices: £175,000 – £189,000
Best For: Professionals who want to be close to the city centre while living in an affordable place
Conveniently located near the city centre, Ardwick is one of the best areas to buy a house if you’re looking for a future investment. It’s not exactly a bustling spot, but it’s affordable, close to public transportation options, and offers good schools.
If you don’t mind a short commute (just around 20 minutes), Ardwick is definitely the spot to purchase a home. Families and professionals who fancy affordability without sacrificing Manchester’s amenities are best suited here.
| Pro Tip: Some areas are a little rough around the edges, so choose a place where you’ll feel safer and more at home. |
