The Sunday Times has released its list of the Best Places to Live in the UK in 2024 - and two areas in Greater Manchester have made the cut. This year, the London title's team of judges chose to include Prestwich and Stockport in its comprehensive guide - with the latter being named the best location to live across the whole of the north west.
After travelling across the whole of the UK, the panel picked out 72 parts of the country that impressed them based on all factors from house prices, schools and transport to culture, access to green spaces and the health of the high street.
Since The Sunday Times' released its annual list, Rightmove says it has seen a surge in property searches in each area featured. Searches for homes for sale in Stockport have risen by 8 percent since March 17, whilst searches in Prestwich have gone up by 12 percent.
READ MORE: UK's most affordable areas to buy a home - cheapest is short commute from Manchester
Here we look at a variety of properties that are currently on the market in both Prestwich and Stockport, ranging from affordables homes to stand-out abodes, as well as the average costs to buy in each area.
Prestwich
Prestwich made it into the guide for a second time this year, after first featuring back in 2022. The Times commended the town for its array of bars and restaurants, green spaces and transport links into the city centre. The Bury town is also set to undergo huge £100m regeneration which will introduce a ‘Mackie Mayor’ style food hall, a community hub and a new health centre.
Speaking about the area's property market, The Sunday Times said: "Manchester’s busy bee emblem represents the city’s hardworking heart. If you want to share the buzz but also like to have a garden, take a 25-minute tram trip to Prestwich to find roomy Victorian terraces — and like-minded folk with whom to chomp your grilled cheese and kimchi sourdough sandwich.
"This cool and well-connected suburb only four miles north of the Northern Quarter is giving the likes of well-established favourites (yes you, Didsbury) a run for their money — with average house prices about £100,000 lower."
Properties in Prestwich had an overall average price of £266,554 over the last year, according to Rightmove. The majority of sales were semi-detached properties, selling for an average of £286,185, whilst terraced houses sold for an average of £236,491.
The Times added: "Unless you can find a do-er upper, expect to pay up to £1.3 million for the privilege of living on Prestwich Park Road South, where Victorian Manchester mill owners built their family piles. This leafy urban patch still attracts big-hitters looking for five or six bedrooms, converted basem*nts and generous gardens.
"Look also at the Victorian houses in a conservation area with Guest Road running through the middle, as well as 1920s and 1930s semi-detached homes, a snip at £300,000 to £350,000."
Here is what you can buy in Prestwich at the moment:
Bargain home, £199,950
This three-bed terraced house for sale on Hampden Road is one of the cheapest properties on the market in Prestwich at the moment. The end-terrace sits within a short distance from Prestwich Village with its offering of bars, restaurants and transport networks.
Estate agents say this property requires 'general updating' and would make an ideal purchase for a first-time buyer, with the added benefit of no chain. It has a lounge, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor with three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. There is also a yard to the front and rear.
Mid-market, £325,000
In the middle of the market, this three bed semi-detached house is available to buy for £325,000. Located in a 'sought-after' area just a stone's throw away from Prestwich Village, this would make an ideal family home.
It is positioned overlooking playing fields nearby, with the nearest tram stop just a five minute walk away making for an easy commute. The home is beautifully presented throughout and could be considered 'move-in ready'.
On the ground floor there is a modern open-plan kitchen and dining room as well as a large lounge. Upstairs there are three bedrooms as well as a family bathroom and office room. It also has a south-west facing garden.
Top of the range, £795,000
One of the more expensive properties on offer in Prestwich at the moment is this four-bed detached house for sale on Hilton Lane. Spanning three storeys, the home sits in a desirable location and boasts stunning golf course views.
With a contemporary finish throughout, it's a dream home for many, from its modern kitchen to its impressive cinema room and three bathrooms. Outside, the home has a spacious lawn and large tiered driveway. It also has a detached garage which is fully renovated and could be used a gym, office or extra parking.
Stockport
Stockport took the top spot as the best place to live in the north west in this year's guide. It is the second year in a row that the Times has featured it in the guide, with judges branding it 'one of the most exciting towns around'. The panel praised Stockport for its new and improving transport links, 'funky independent businesses' and 'good-value' houses.
The Times' wrote: "This varied town is also supremely functional, offering good-value houses up and down the property ladder, parks, choirs and sports clubs including a resurgent Stockport County FC and rail links to the entire country."
Properties in Stockport had an overall average price of £319,990 over the last year. The majority of sales were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £336,114, whilst terraced properties sold for an average of £244,467.
Referring to its property market, the judges said: "Stockport is a big place and at its most elastic stretches as far south as the fringes of the supercharged “village” suburb of Bramhall, where the biggest trophy mansions have driveways with space to charge electric cars for all the family, and cost at least £1.5 million. Favoured roads include Broadway and Carrwood Road.
"Otherwise look at Davenport (more rural) or Heaton Chapel (almost Manchester proper), which both have their own stations and attractive family-sized semis for about £400,000."
Here is what's on offer in Stockport at the moment:
Bargain home, £160,000
For a cheap price of £160,000, you can buy a two-bed terrace house in Portwood. Located near to the amenities of Stockport town centre and its transport links, the home would be a great first buy and somewhere you could put your own stamp on.
On the ground floor there is a lounge, separate dining room and a kitchen to the rear, with two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. The property is set back from the street with a small garden front and rear. It also has access to green, open spaces with Woodbank and Vernon Parks found nearby, and it is being offered for sale with the bonus of no chain.
Mid-market, £375,000
In the midst of the property market is this three-bed semi-detached house that you can buy for £375,000. Located near to Cheadle Heath, estate agents describe this as the 'dream family home'. It has been extended to offer more space across its three floors.
On the ground floor is a front living room, a sprawling 16ft kitchen and dining room and a balcony overlooking the stunning rear garden. There is also a snug area which is the idea spot to unwind.
Upstairs are three generously sized bedrooms as well as a family bathroom. The basem*nt boasts multiple rooms, including an office, bedroom, a utility room, and a garage, providing ample space for storage and practicality.
Top of the range, £825,000
Costing much more than the average house price is this five-bed semi-detached home on the market for £825,000. The executive Victorian family home has been extended over a whopping four floors and is situated on the prestigious Davenport Road, within the Davenport conservation area.
This stunning home is a 'rare find' as the current owners have completely renovated and restored this property from top to bottom, keeping its Victorian character and charm but with a contemporary modern twist.
The home boasts four reception rooms, five bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as a landscaped garden featuring a 1,000 square foot porcelain patio.
