Wilmslow
Nestled on the border between Manchester and Cheshire, the charming town of Wilmslow is known for its famous residents, who include premier league footballers and pop stars. The area is also popular with professionals who work in Manchester, but who wish to live in the beautiful Cheshire countryside. The exclusive nature of Wilmslow is, of course, reflected in its property prices. According to Zoopla, the average property price in Wilmslow is £402,257, which is double the average price of £206,734 in Greater Manchester.
HOUSING STOCK
The older streets in Wilmslow are home to some charming Edwardian and Victorian properties which tend to fetch a premium price. In the 1960s and 70s, a number of modern houses were built on the edge of the town, and these often include swimming pools, home cinemas and other luxury features. However, if you are looking for something a little more low key, there are modern family homes and smaller ‘cottage’ terraces which are perfect for first time buyers.
TRANSPORT LINKS
Good transport links have helped to make Wilmslow a very desirable location. Wilmslow is located close to the M60 and M56 motorways, which provide easy access to Manchester, the Lake District and Birmingham. The town is also located just a couple of miles from Manchester Airport, which reduces travel time if you need to take a domestic or international flight. From the train station in Wilmslow, you can reach city centre Manchester in 25 minutes. The frequent trains to London take just 2 hours, which makes it possible to commute to and from the capital on the same day.
LOCAL SCHOOLS
Wilmslow is home to some of the best schools in Cheshire. For example, the independent Pownall Hall School, which accepts pupils aged between 4 and 11, is rated ‘excellent’ by Ofsted inspectors. Wilmslow High School, which offers secondary and sixth form education is rated as ‘good’ following a recent Ofsted inspection.
LOCAL AMENITIES
Wilmslow is home to a bustling shopping street and larger department stores outside the town itself. It's populated with high street chains such as Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and John Lewis. Shoppers can also make the most of many small independent retailers who sell a wide range of wares. When it comes to eating out, Wilmslow offers cuisine from around the world, with Chinese, Greek, Italian, Argentinian, Japanese and Indian restaurants located in the town centre and the surrounding area. The cultural delights on offer at the Bridgewater Hall, Royal Exchange Theatre, and the Lowry Centre at Salford Quays are less than an hour away by train or bus.
When you want to take some time out to recharge your batteries, Wilmslow places you on the doorstep of the beautiful Peak District National Park. Local events include the RHS Flower Show, which is held annually at nearby Tatton Park, and live music at the spectacular Jodrell Bank radio telescope.
If you want to buy a property in an exclusive location which has fantastic transport links and local amenities, the town of Wilmslow is the perfect place to start your search.
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Jun 18, 2018
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a town located in Cheshire, close to the Peak District National Park. During the industrial revolution, the town was a major producer of silk, which created a great deal of wealth. Today, the town is a vibrant post-industrial community which has a lot to offer anyone who moves to the area. HOUSING STOCK Macclesfield has a wide variety of properties to choose from. You can select from quaint period cottages, traditional terraced properties, or large modern mansions, for example. In recent years, there have been a number of new developments which have seen old mills turned into luxury apartments. A two-bed terrace with a garden will typically cost between £100,000 and £160,000. A three-bed semi-detached property will typically sell for between £170,000 to £200,000. Larger detached properties begin at around £275,000 and upwards. TRANSPORT LINKS Despite being situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Macclesfield enjoys fantastic transport links. The town is served by regular bus services around the Macclesfield district as well as to outlying areas and Manchester. Trains from the local railway station can get you into the heart of Manchester city centre in around 20 minutes. If you wish to commute to the capital, frequent services can get you to London in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. If you are planning to jet off on holiday, Manchester Airport is just a half-hour journey by car or taxi. LOCAL SCHOOLS Macclesfield is home to some excellent primary and secondary schools. Fallibroome Academy is a very popular choice for parents who are looking to send their child to a top performing secondary school. The school received an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted following a recent inspection. For younger children, St Alban’s Catholic Primary School provides a first-class educational experience. This was reflected in recent Ofsted reports which found that the school was ‘outstanding’. If you would like your child to benefit from a private education, The King’s School and Beech Hall School take in children aged between 3 and 18 years of age. LOCAL AMENITIES Macclesfield boasts some fantastic public parks, which makes it the ideal spot for those who are looking for some green space where their family (and pets) can have some fun. If you are into sport and fitness, the local leisure centre features a swimming pool and athletics track, and the Prestbury Golf Club is just a short drive out of the town. Macclesfield town centre is home to art galleries, boutique shops, and trendy restaurants which serve cuisine from around the globe. On the last Sunday of every month, the famous Treacle Markets showcase local food and drink, vintage clothes and contemporary art. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the town, the glorious hills of the Peak District are just a short drive away. If you are looking to live close to the peace and beauty of the countryside, but still want to be close to Manchester city centre, Macclesfield could be the place for you.
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Tameside
Tameside, which is located just east of city centre Manchester, is home to the towns of Ashton under Lyne, Denton and Hyde. Tameside was a centre of engineering, cotton, hat making and coal mining during the Industrial Revolution. The borough boasts access to affordable homes, good schools, beautiful countryside and excellent transport links to the centre of Manchester. The average house price in Tameside is just £153,438; that's well below the average across Greater Manchester which stands at £206,734. HOUSING STOCK The housing stock in Tameside predominately consists of Victorian terraces, which were originally constructed to house mill workers. However, since the end of WW2, there have also been a number of modern housing estates constructed, which contain attractive semi-detached homes. In the 1970s, larger 3 and 4 bedroom suburban homes also started to appear. In recent years, old mills across Tameside have been converted into luxury apartments. You can expect to pay around £100,000 for a two-bed terraced house in Tameside, with more modern 4 bedroom detached homes in Ashton under Lyne selling from around £200,000. A similar property in a more exclusive area such as Denton will set you back around £400,000. TRANSPORT LINKS Tameside is very well connected. Trains from Hyde Central, Ashton under Lyne and Denton will get you to Manchester Victoria in under 30 minutes. If you prefer to take the bus, the 219 will get you from Ashton under Lyne to the centre of Manchester in just under an hour. The Metrolink from Ashton under Lyne can get you to Manchester Airport in under one hour. If you drive, Tameside offers easy access to the M67 and M60 motorways which provide good links to Liverpool, the Peak District and Leeds. LOCAL SCHOOLS If you have children, you will be pleased to know that Tameside provides excellent educational facilities. The area is home to eight primary and secondary schools which are rated as ‘outstanding’ following recent Ofsted inspections, with St Christopher’s Primary School in Ashton under Lyne receiving particular praise for the quality of its teaching. LOCAL AMENITIES Tameside is a great place to live. Ashton under Lyne, Denton and Hyde are vibrant and energetic towns with local markets, high street shops and small independent retailers. The Ashton Moss entertainment complex located in Ashton under Lyne contains a cinema, restaurants and a bowling alley. In Hyde, you'll find the Hyde Leisure Pool which offers water-based fun for all the family, including a swimming pool, wave machine and water slides. Ashton under Lyne has its own amateur rugby, cricket and football teams. The stunning countryside of the Peak District is just a short journey away; here, you can enjoy long walks, camping, horse riding and cycling. If all of that makes you hungry, you can visit one of the many local restaurants which offer Italian, Indian and Thai dishes. If you're looking for an affordable place to live, which has excellent links to Manchester city centre and to the countryside, Tameside could be the place for you.