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BEST UK CITY TO LIVE

investinmanchester.com

1 Contents 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.

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 22

Appendix 24

2 1 Living in Manchester Centrally connected Manchester is a truly diverse city, whether you are interested in music and Centrally located in the North of , Manchester is one of the best the performing arts, sport and leisure, or tourism and heritage. The city connected and most accessible cities in the UK. The city region has a world region is, and always has been, a great place for living life to the full. With class, multi-modal, integrated transport infrastructure that provides a population of 2.7 million, Manchester is Britain’s second largest urban connectivity across the region, the UK and the world. area and one of the most exciting, cultural and forward-thinking cities in Europe. Manchester’s excellent transport facilities – including a comprehensive rail network, 30-mile outer ring road, and an that serves more than 200 destinations – provide With a decorated heritage and a unique blend Manchester is still a cost-effective location, in companies with significant opportunities to exploit both UK and global markets, as well as of modern developments and historic spaces, spite of its qualities and popularity, something personal ease of travel for either business or pleasure. Manchester is an exciting place to live and that is reflected across the board from work, with entertainment, dining, nightlife housing costs to leisure and entertainment. and leisure options to delight everyone. You get much more for your money in From the natural beauty of the Lake District, Manchester, an important factor in recruiting and the to the buzzing and attracting people to work here. urban cool of the city centre, there really is something to suit every lifestyle.

ROAD

Car Bus lies at the heart of has a comprehensive bus an expansive motorway network. The M60 network offering fast and frequent services to ring road makes access in and around the many destinations. Tickets can be purchased city centre straightforward and connects the per journey, but money-saving daily, weekly city region’s inter-suburban links. The city or monthly passes are also available. System centre is also surrounded by an inner-city One Travel offers travelcards which can be ring road, and it offers substantial parking used for bus only, or a combination of buses, options from on-street pay-and-display bays trains and in some cases city zone travel. to privately operated car parks, some of which offer competitive daily rates. Most rail and Free bus Metrolink stations on the outskirts of Greater The free bus operates two circular routes in Manchester also operate and Ride Manchester and connects business districts schemes, making travel from the into to train, tram and bus stations. The free bus the city centre even easier. runs every ten minutes Monday to Saturday and 15 minutes after 6.30pm.

2 3 Journey times to other UK cities

Trains Journey Flights Journey time Distance Car journey Destination p/hr time (train) p/day (flight) in miles time 3 2hr 8m 22 1hr 200 3hr 30m 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 7 49m - - 43 55m 6 32m - - 34 45m

RAIL

Train Metrolink Manchester offers great access to other Manchester’s Metrolink is a tram/light rail major UK cities. Direct services between system that radiates from Manchester city Manchester and London run every 20 centre to termini at , minutes with Virgin Trains, and the journey , Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury, East takes just over 2 hours. Local rail services also , Eccles, MediaCityUK and . connect Manchester Airport with Greater Daily, weekly or season tickets are available, Manchester districts and the city centre. offering savings for frequent travellers, and free Wi-Fi is available on every tram on the Single, return, and season tickets between Metrolink network. 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 , trains and buses for one price.

4 5 Direct flights from Manchester Airport (per week) World class entertainment New Mumbai Beijing As one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the UK, Manchester’s 21 81 5 4 always got something on. With a rolling calendar of art exhibitions, Zürich Hong Kong San Francisco concerts, markets and theatre performances, you’ll never be without world 14 7 3 class entertainment. Venues big and small – from the Manchester global names and audiences, while two of Arena, and the the most popular football teams in the world, to The Deaf Institute, Band Manchester United and Manchester City, on the Wall and Albert Hall – fill the city with keep the city cheering and chanting. music and performance every night. There is also a wide selection of dining, Festivals and events such as Manchester drinking and entertainment options across International Festival and Manchester Pride, Manchester’s districts and hotspots, providing as well as venues including Manchester something for everyone. Arena and Bridgewater Hall, regularly attract

56 21 Paris Dubai

5 39 5 Houston Frankfurt Singapore

AIR

Manchester Airport With 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.

6 7 The Lowry A magnificent building by Quays that Cultural renaissance houses three stunning theatres alongside galleries showcasing artists of local, national Recast for the 21st century as the original modern city, Manchester has and international renown. experienced a rapid cultural renaissance over the past decade.

Now, young people are flocking to the city Portland Basin Museum to get a piece of the action. It’s difficult to In the attractive, waterside setting of Portland keep track of bar and restaurant openings; Basin, the newly refurbished Heritage centre MediaCityUK new hotels abound to keep up with increased celebrates the people, events and industries As well as hosting a range of TV productions tourist numbers; and original festivals and that shaped the history of . including UK, MediaCityUK events are emerging all the time to cater for is to an abundance of cultural and a culture-hungry demographic. sporting attractions, a cinema and a selection Manchester Art Gallery houses more than of restaurants, bars and shops. Imperial War Museum 25,000 objects and many of the city’s Exhibitions at IWM North explore the most important fine and decorative art conflicts that Britain and the Commonwealth works covering six centuries. The gallery have been involved in since the First World Altrincham Market offers events, tours and workshops for the War to the current day. A ‘market for modern times’ – home to an whole family. 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.

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

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

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

8 9 Royal Exchange Theatre The Royal Exchange Theatre is a seven- Dining sided, glass-walled capsule suspended in the Victorian Exchange Building Manchester’s food and drink scene is thriving. With new restaurants, bars, in St. Ann’s Square, which hosts plays gastropubs, and cafés opening weekly, the city has established itself as one throughout the year, in addition to of the UK’s most exciting foodie destinations. workshops and classes.

National Football Museum Found 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 Whitworth Following 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.

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.

10 11 One-stop shopping Manchester is a shopaholic’s dream. From the designer boutiques of King Street or the high street chains around the 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 Street The Makers’ Market Market Street is one of the main shopping Meet all of Manchester’s unique creatives, streets in the city centre. An entirely creators, makers, designers, producers, pedestrianised zone, shops such as Primark, bakers, musicians and artists and market H&M and Marks & Spencer are all located events that take place across all corners along the street, which stretches from of Greater Manchester. Gardens to .

Northern Quarter Lowry Outlet The Northern Quarter includes a large Overlooking Manchester’s historic waterfront, number of boutique and vintage shops, the city’s only outlet mall offers up to 70% specialising in clothes and music as well off RRP at more than 80 fashion, beauty and as numerous independent bars, cafés and homeware stores. restaurants. The area also includes , a three-storey indoor market with dozens of Centre independent stalls and boutiques. Located five miles from the city centre is the intu , a vast indoor shopping The Avenue complex offering more than 230 stores Manchester’s luxury shopping destination, including John Lewis, Hollister, Pandora, The Avenue in Spinningfields, is where and Guess. In addition to the shops there retailers showcase the best international are more than 36 restaurants and fashion collections in the North West. eateries, a 20-screen cinema and a range of Collections from , DKNY, Armani, leisure facilities including the Sealife Centre, Mulberry, All Saints and many more are Legoland Discovery Centre, Adventure Golf, located here. Laser Quest and an array of sporting facilities in the adjacent Trafford Quays Leisure . Europe’s third largest city centre shopping outlet, Manchester Arndale has more than 200 units including in addition to an 800-seat food court.

12 13 A leading sport city Manchester 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, and the Etihad For those who want to participate in sporting Stadium offer the opportunity to watch two of events, there are plenty of opportunities to do the most famous football clubs in the world, so in Manchester, including the Manchester but the beautiful game isn’t the only sport Marathon and the Great Manchester Run, Manchester has to offer. Cricket enthusiasts Europe’s largest , which around can head to Old Trafford, home 40,000 people participate in. Similarly, the to the County Cricket Club, Great Manchester Swim is held outdoors which hosts the Ashes as well as various in every year and is open to international test matches. people of all abilities.

Fans of cycling should visit the National Trafford Quays Leisure Village offers Cycling Centre, which includes an indoor skiing and snowboarding on real snow velodrome and BMX arena. The velodrome slopes, go-carting, play golf and zip lining, has been cited as one of the reasons for and Manchester has a number of leading Great Britain’s success in international health and fitness clubs, such as David cycling events and is open to members of Lloyd Leisure, Living Well, Fitness First and the public for frequent taster and practice Bannatyne Health Clubs. sessions. In addition to the velodrome, Manchester is also home to the national squash and centres – testament to the city’s sporting prowess.

14 15 Where to live KEY: Motorway Network Greater Manchester is a cost-effective location, which is reflected across Greater Manchester M62 Rochdale the board from travel costs to house prices. The lower cost of living in the M66 city region, compared with the rest of the UK, means that salaries and A627(M) M62 hourly rates of pay can realistically remain competitive, without adversely Whitefield affecting levels of personal disposable income. M61 M60 Main residential areas To the north, Whitefield and offer Prestwich

If city living is what you are after then a good choice of accommodation along with Salford/ Northern Quarter / , The Northern Quarter and the a good restaurant and bar scene. Affluent MediaCityUK Green Quarter Ashton-under- M602 Lyne Green Quarter are the property hotspots, with areas including and Castlefield a wealth of one and two-bedroom modern are just 15 miles south of the city and home M67 M62 Chorlton penthouses and converted loft . to a number of Manchester United and M60 Manchester City footballers. Didsbury Elsewhere, there are a number of popular Sale M60 areas dotted along the arterial routes out of Altrincham the city. Just a few miles south of the city M56 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 Alderley Edge/ Wilmslow and traditional houses.

Average housing prices for key areas of Manchester Average monthly rent in key areas across Manchester Source: Zoopla, 2019 Source: Home.co.uk, 2019

£1,200,000

£1,000,000 Detached Semi-detached Terraced Flats £3,000

4 bedroom 3 bedroom 2 bedroom 1 bedroom £800,000 £2,500

£600,000 £2,000

£400,000 £1,500

£1,000 £200,000

£500 0

0 Bolton Wigan Salford Oldham Chorlton Didsbury Rochdale / Stockport Prestwich Whitefield Castlefield Bolton Wigan Altrincham Salford Oldham Chorlton MediaCityUK Didsbury Rochdale /Ancoats Alderley Edge Stockport Prestwich Whitefield Castlefield Altrincham NorthernQuarter MediaCityUK Alderley Edge Ashton-under-Lyne NorthernQuarter Ashton-under-Lyne

16 17 Education Top 20 state and private primary schools in Greater Manchester* Church School Trafford Brooklands Primary School Trafford Caldershaw Primary School Rochdale Community Primary School Wigan 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 Primary School Wigan Well Green Primary School Trafford Westwood Academy Oldham Worthington Primary School Trafford

Schools Ofsted reports Finding the right educational establishment Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, for your children is a vitally important decision Children’s Services and Skills, inspect and when relocating to a new area, no matter regulate services that care for children and what stage of education they are at, and young people, as well as services providing Manchester is well served by educational education and skills for learners of all ages. establishments that are well represented Reports for every school and nursery in within national rankings. Greater Manchester can be accessed via the Ofsted website. 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.

18 19 Top 20 state and private secondary schools in Greater Manchester*

Altrincham for Girls Trafford Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Trafford Bolton School Boys’ Division Bolton High School Stockport Bury Grammar School (formerly Bury Grammar School Boys) Bury Cheadle School Stockport Chetham’s School of Music Manchester , Altrincham Trafford Manchester High School for Girls Manchester Oldham Hulme Grammar School Oldham Trafford Trafford St Edmund Arrowsmith RC High School Wigan St Peter’s RC High School Wigan Stockport The Blue Coat School, Oldham Oldham The King David High School, Manchester Manchester The Manchester Grammar School Manchester High School Salford 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

*Source: The Sunday Times Best UK Schools Guide 2019

20 21 Greater Manchester Key: Educational institutes per borough

Primaries Secondaries Further Universities Education

Bury Rochdale 73 22 10 76 20 8

Bolton

114 36 22 1 M62 Oldham M66 99 25 9

M61 M60

M6

M602 Tameside

Wigan 90 25 10 M60 M67 112 31 11 M62 M60

Stockport Salford 107 32 17 M56 96 38 1 1

Trafford Manchester 83 25 19 1 161 60 32 2

22 23 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 Appendix 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

24 25 Twitter: Website: Email: Tel: MIDAS @MIDAS_MCR www.investinmanchester.com [email protected] +44 (0)161 237 4470

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