Area Guide: Manchester

Manchester, the beating heart of the North West, merges historic charm with dynamic city energy.

Manchester attracts families, students, and professionals with its lively cultural spots, world-class universities, green suburbs and excellent schools.

Why buy a home in Manchester?

Here are the top reasons to consider buying a new home in Manchester:

• Excellent Schools: A wide range of top rated primary and secondary schools. Perfect for growing families.
• World Class Universities: Access to excellent higher education, creating a youthful and dynamic community.
• Affordable Housing: More competitive property prices, compared to other UK cities.
• Transport Links: Excellent connectivity via trains, trams, buses and nearby motorways.
• Thriving Economy: A hub for jobs across tech, media, finance and creative industries.

What's new in Manchester?

Manchester is buzzing with exciting new developments and regeneration projects transforming the city

Mayfield is a major 20-acre mixed-use development near the city centre, transforming a former railway and industrial site into a lively district. The project will include modern homes, office spaces, shops, and leisure areas, along with Manchester’s first new city-centre park in over a hundred years. Focused on sustainability, Mayfield aims to reduce environmental impact while creating a vibrant, connected neighbourhood for residents and businesses.

HOME Arches is breathing new life into old railway arches, transforming them into studios, workshops, and co-working spaces for creative and cultural growth. This initiative supports Manchester’s thriving arts and creative industries by providing affordable, flexible spaces for artists, designers and start-ups. Fostering innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship while preserving the city’s unique industrial heritage.

Victoria North is one of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK, set to redefine the city’s northern gateway. Over the next 15 to 20 years, the project will deliver thousands of new homes, modern infrastructure and extensive green spaces. Neighbourhoods like Red Bank will feature residential towers, public parks, riverside improvements and community amenities. Transforming underused brownfield land into a thriving, future-ready urban district.

What are the best schools and colleges in Manchester?

• The Manchester Grammar School: Independent boys’ school for ages 7 to18, founded in 1515
• Withington Girls’ School: Independent girls’ school for ages 7 to18, known for strong academic performance.
• Didsbury High School: Outstanding-rated school for ages 11 to 18.
• Loreto College: A highly regarded sixth-form college with excellent A-level results.

What are the biggest sports teams in Manchester?

Manchester is home to some of the biggest and most famous sports teams in the world:

• Manchester United Football Club: One of the most successful and widely supported clubs globally, playing in the English Premier League at Old Trafford.
• Manchester City Football Club: Multiple Premier League title winners in recent years.
• Sale Sharks: One of the top rugby union clubs in England.
• Lancashire County Cricket Club: A historic club with domestic titles, based at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

What areas are popular to live in and around Manchester?

New homes in Bury

Bury is seeing a surge of modern, energy-efficient new build homes. Residents enjoy excellent local amenities, including shops, cafés and convenient transport links. Families benefit from access to quality schools, while green spaces like Burrs Country Park and Clarence Park provide plenty of outdoor recreation. With its balance of community, convenience, and nature, Bury is an ideal place to call home.

New homes in Heywood

Heywood offers a fresh take on modern living with new homes designed for comfort and style. The town boasts friendly local amenities, including markets, cafés and leisure facilities. Excellent schools serve families, while green spaces like Queen’s Park provide scenic spots for walking and relaxation. Heywood combines community charm with easy access to the wider Manchester area.

New homes in Shaw

Shaw is welcoming a wave of modern homes within a friendly community. Local amenities include shops, cafés, and great transport links to Manchester for work or leisure. Families benefit from good schools, while nearby green spaces like Friezland Woods offer plenty of outdoor opportunities. Shaw blends convenience, nature and community living.

New homes in Oldham

New homes in Oldham offer modern, energy-efficient living with easy access to local amenities. The town centre has shops, cafés and restaurants, while green spaces like Alexandra Park and the nearby countryside offer plenty of outdoor activities. Families benefit from quality schools such as The Brian Clarke Academy and Oldham College. Oldham blends community, convenience and sustainable modern homes.

What new home developments are in and around Manchester?

• Development name: Hartshead View
• Developer: Countryside Homes
• Address: Off Fir Tree Road, Oldham, OL8 2LL



 


This development in Oldham, northeast of the city centre, offers stylish, energy-efficient homes designed for modern family living. With spacious layouts, green surroundings and excellent local schools nearby, it’s the perfect setting for a sustainable family lifestyle.

• Development name: Victoria Riverside
• Developer: L&Q
• Address: Dantzic Street, Manchester, M4 2AD



 


Discover Victoria Riverside by L&Q. Brand new 1 and 2 bed shared ownership apartments in the heart of Manchester’s vibrant Red Bank area. Residents enjoy stunning city views through floor-to-ceiling windows and access to luxury amenities including a gym, co-working space, concierge service and a landscaped podium garden.

• Development name: Brook House Place
• Developer: Eccleston Homes
• Address: Barton Road, Urmston, M41 7NG



 


Brook House Place offers stylish 3 and 4 bed houses and townhouses in vibrant Urmston. These homes combine bold architecture and flexible open-plan layouts with smart energy-efficient features such as air-source heat pumps and EV chargers.