Mersey Bank in Chorlton, South Manchester

Galactic_Gorilla

I hope someone can help me with some advice.

I've had an offer accepted on a house, on the Mersey Bank estate in Chorlton. It's around the Caldervale Road side. I like the house it meets my needs, neighbouring houses look like they have been taken care of. I love that I can walk down to the river in a couple of minutes. But the more I walk about the rest of the area the more I feel it's pretty rough. I don't know if it's just deprivation but ok or if it is actually rough. I know historically it's had its issues but can't tell where things have been better.

My mortgage offer is based on five year fixed so I would have to wait it out if I didn't like it - not sure whether to pull out of the sale or not - baring in mind I'm currently in a difficult living situation and this is the first house I have managed to get an offer accepted on after 11 months of hunting. And I'm dangerously close to my forties and I'm first time buyer so running the risk of not being able to borrow beyond retirement age. I've spent ages looking around Stretford, Firswood, Withington sparingly so with Chorlton and Didsbury and now that I'm close to sealing a deal my experience walking around the area doesn't feel as great.

Any advice to help me decide would be much appreciated!

TripleH

Is there ongoing building work or building work planned? (Check the council website).

We saw a property on a new development in Manchester that was priced higher than comparable new builds on the development despite being 2 years old. The nearby area outside the estate looked tired but I think the big factory was earmarked for development. We were looking for chain free as well so didn't pursue. Sometimes, if you're prepared to wait, you can buy in an area that gets developed and cleans up quite quickly.

SavingPennies_2

I think the area you are referring to is a former council estate right, so now probably a mix of privately owned and council properties. I live nearish but not near enough to know that specific area, my impression is it's not "rough" but also not as "nice" as some of the surrounding parts of Chorlton and Didsbury, but presumably it's priced accordingly. Maybe you're just getting a bit of cold feet, have you walked though several times/ at night? What specifically puts you worries you? Incidentally I run/ walk/ cycle along the Mersey a lot, it is lovely to have nearby.

Galactic_Gorilla

I'm not sure, I saw online reports about demographics, crime, comments in old forums and it got me thinking - probably more my ego than anything that I've worked hard for my money and years saving and if I should be in nicer surroundings based on what I'm spending (close to 300k)?

I know it's my first home, I'm buying alone, and I'm getting on a bit and probably need to get over the fact the most people I know have got nice houses in really nice places. But I think it was things like the litter, and boarded up windows etc. Feels like I spent my entire life working hard to get out of that sort area and avoid it, and it seems to have come full circle and I'm back to where I didn't want to be.

SavingPennies_2

I know what you mean but really no point comparing yourself to others, for all the friends who have bought nice houses in nice areas I bet there will others renting or living in less desirable places, everyone has different circumstances, plus it's a it's a lot harder buying alone (I know because I'm a similar age and also bought on my own so also had to make compromises). I think 300K budget on your own and for a first home is really good but unfortunately South Manchester is an expensive area and I do reckon some of the bad press of that area might be outdated, certainly 300K houses would suggest so. Hopefully someone who knows the area better on here might advise.

jackwah

There is a good article about the Mersey Bank Estate in the online Manchester paper 'The Mill' which I subscribe to. It is by a resident and their experience of the estate during the Pandemic and rewilding. It paints a good portrait of a strong sense of community there whilst being honest with some of its history.

I cant post links yet, but if you search for rewilding-a-manchester-council-estate on manchester Mill it should bring it up.

Maybe it will help to give you a different perspective. A colleague of mine who is a Social Worker also lives on the estate and has never had any issues whilst living there. I don't think it will have any worser issues than anywhere else in South Manchester to be honest. Good luck with whatever decision you choose to make.

Galactic_Gorilla

jackwah said:

There is a good article about the Mersey Bank Estate in the online Manchester paper 'The Mill' which I subscribe to. It is by a resident and their experience of the estate during the Pandemic and rewilding. It paints a good portrait of a strong sense of community there whilst being honest with some of its history.

I cant post links yet, but if you search for rewilding-a-manchester-council-estate on manchester Mill it should bring it up.

Maybe it will help to give you a different perspective. A colleague of mine who is a Social Worker also lives on the estate and has never had any issues whilst living there. I don't think it will have any worser issues than anywhere else in South Manchester to be honest. Good luck with whatever decision you choose to make.

Yes I've seen it, and this is the push and pull I'm struggling with. In fact the plan was to contact the author to get involved with the group as that's the kind of living I want from my area and community.

quotememiserable

I live quite near there. Obviously the location is tainted by being part of the Darley Ave council estate, which is the least desirable part of Chorlton. On the other hand, that end is probably the better part, and if £300k is your budget and you want a three bed semi, then you don't really have any other options. And it is still Chorlton and you have easy access to trams, the mersey valley and all the bars and restaurants the area has to offer. I think you'll be good.