average rent prices in manchester?

mils

Hi all,
Looking to move to Manchester (from Devon) soon in the future and wondered if anyone could help me out with a few questions.
Ideally id like to be close to the center so salford area or somewhere alike which is also not to rough (sorry dont know manchester too well) whats the average renting prices? for either a room, flat or house?
Could anyone also suggest any areas close by the city center which would suit my criteria - drivable to the center (or even walkable distance), nice area?
Any information would be GRATEFULLY appreciated
Paul

machofairy

There are quite a few things to consider if you want to live in Manchester.
1. House of flat? For around £500 - £600, you can get a city centre one bed flat (no parking) or a 2-3 bed house/apartment in outskirts with parking.
2. Parking in city centre - be prepared to pay up to £200 extra per month.
My suggestion is to get a place in the outskirts of the city in regenerated areas (some areas on Salford are ok), like in the M8 / M9 / M40 areas, which are on the metrolink route. All should be within 3 miles of the centre.
And dont forget to haggle, especially when going for a flat. The city is over-saturated with them and I would go as far as to say you can name your price as many landlords are desperate to let out their properties even if it only cavers part of their mortgages.

sdooley

Salford proper can be really quite rough. Best to avoid until you know the areas better.

Castleford for flats in conversions is very popular with the city centre workers, very easy walking distance but a little spooky at night with all the canals and railway bridges. If you want a flat there it might be £600-£800/month for a two-bed whereas the city centre proper is more like £800-£1000. The Northern Quarter is about the same price-wise as Castleford, again just a few 100 metres from the city centre, to my mind it's less worrying walking back past all the pubs and bars there at night than the canals etc. But don't be tricked into thinking a place is Northern Quarter when it's really Ancoats - if it's the wrong side of Picadilly Station you will have a horrid walk home.

You won't find many houses in city centre (including Castlefield/N.Quarter) but if you want a tiny 'Coronation Street' terrace (say £600-£650/month) you can go into Salford or South (on the main bus route) to Rusholme, home of 'curry mile' and students. Similar properties and larger ones go for a bit of a premium on Rusholme prices in trendy Chorlton (just too far to walk to town but an easy drive).

The problem with driving into Manchester is not so much the traffic, which is no worse than any other city, but the cost of parking. To give you an option it would be better to think about living near the trains or the excellent Metrolink service. Generally South Manchester is regarded as nicer than North (West Manchester doesn't exist, that's Salford and East Manchester is mid-redevelopment and best avoided). The classic area for houses and maisonettes is Didsbury - East is better as you have the train. But Didsbury is pricey. Other areas you could consider are the Four Heatons in Stockport (especially Heaton Moor or Heaton Chapel near the station).

Desirability, taking into account transport:

1. Didsbury Village
2. City centre proper
3. East Didsbury
4. Heatons
5. Castlefield
6. Chorlton
7. Northern Quarter
8. West Didsbury
9. Fallowfield/Rusholme
10. Salford
11. North Manchester
12. East Manchester
13. Hulme/Moss Side
14. Longsight
15. Ancoats/Ardwick
16. Wythenshaw

Try to avoid 10. and below.

mils

Thank You sdooley and macho for your informative replies
quite a few things there to consider and i will research into those top 10 areas you mentioned there. On the whole is Manchester as rough as its made out? Don't get me wrong i know every town/city has its area which is known for its records but i have been up to Manchester quite a bit recently and was surprised by what i had originally anticipated to expect, although in all fairness didnt travel to far on the outskirts of the center which im sure is more that way inclined?

Bungarm2001

Definitely avoid Ancoats and stick to the city centre proper..but do bear in mind as the previous poster says, there is generally no dedicated parking. Where it is available, it is very expensive (NDC carparks)

Some parts of Salford are very nice, but you do really need to be in the know. Swinton (parts of) for instance is pretty buzzy, or family orientated, depending on what you are looking for. Buses are easy into town.

Some parts of Hulme and Mosside are sought after believe it or not, but again, you really do need to be well informed to be able to find the right place and not make a dreadful mistake.

Again, Wythenshawe has it's plus points, but bear in mind, (as far as I know,) it is the biggest council housing estate in the UK.

Natty082

I work in Manchester and commute from outside - there are some VERY dodgy areas in Salford so you really need to do your homework on this area! However Salford Quays i've heard is ok - but pricey!

I know a lot of people from my work live in Didsbury - never heard anything bad about there. Also the Northern Quarter and Castlefield are the best locations.

Dependant upon your budget and accomodation of course!!

Natty082

Bungarm2001 wrote: »

Swinton (parts of) for instance is pretty buzzy, or family orientated, depending on what you are looking for.

Note!: Swinton - I go through Swinton on my train and as the train is over crowded 98% of the time some people actually struggle to get on at this stop!!

sdooley

The nice areas are not rough. The middling areas are ok except at night. The rough areas are not as rough as the bad bits of London.

SouthCoast

You can use this to find out the Local Housing Allowance rates:


https://lha-direct.therentservice.gov.uk/Secure/Default.aspx

mils

thank you everyone who has got involved, i think generally there are a few obvious areas 2/3 which have a standard good reputation but along with that comes the higher rate. So im guessing im going to have to do a bit more research on these area which do have areas within them, or look on the out skirts on commuting

Stevie1

Why don't you tell us what sort of environment you want to live in?
Are you a graduate/graduate age?
Do you have a family?
Do you want to live somewhere quiet or somewhere with lots of nightlife?