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Relocating to Manchester, not wanting to live in the City Centre but wanting to be nearby? Consider Didsbury.

         

 

Didsbury is a suburb about four miles south of Manchester City Centre and in my opinion offers the best option for those wanting to live in a suburb but to be close to the City Centre. Again, in my opinion, the areas closer do not offer the feel and facilities of Didsbury.

Didsbury’s population of just under 30,000 is a mixed one of young professionals, families and students divided between Didsbury Village, West Didsbury and East Didsbury. The village and West Didsbury being more desirable and hence more expensive. We have had a number of clients, both young professionals and families, who have chosen Didsbury as their home. All have secured homes, some houses, some apartments, within walking distance of either the Village or West Didsbury (or both) and have enjoyed being close to lovely shops, bars and restaurants without needing to travel to Manchester City Centre.

As well as a mixed population, Didsbury has mixed housing types, typically with terraced houses close to the centres with apartments and town houses added in available spaces. Both period and modern homes are sited close to the centres. Rental accommodation is in short supply and although not quite as fast paced as the City Centre lettings market, good quality properties let very quickly.

 

Didsbury has excellent transport links. The East Didsbury to Rochdale Metrolink line runs through Manchester City Centre (offering options to change to other routes) with a station in Didsbury Village and two stations in West Didsbury (West Didsbury and Burton Road). The main road routes in and out of Manchester are congested at peak times but the distance is relatively short with three possible main routes. Bus travel to the City Centre, down Oxford Road, past the universities and the main Manchester hospitals, is another option hence the appeal to mature students and those working at the universities and hospitals. At the time of writing the cycle lanes into Manchester are being improved which is causing additional congestion. The M56 and the M60 are easily accessible so you are able to travel to other areas of the North West and beyond. You can be at the airport (Manchester International Airport) in ten minutes but Didsbury does not suffer with airplane noise.

Didsbury has a number of ‘outstanding’ state primary schools and ‘good’ state secondary schools. Some families do relocate to nearby Trafford for secondary education where there are grammar schools in Stretford, Sale, Urmston and Altrincham and other ‘outstanding’ secondary schools. At the time of writing it is possible for boys and girls living in Didsbury to attend the Altrincham Grammar Schools if they perform especially well in the entrance tests. Didsbury is an excellent location for those families choosing independent education with The Manchester Grammar School, Withington Girls School, Manchester High School for Girls, St Bede’s College and Cheadle Hulme School all close by.

Didsbury has much to offer those wanting to keep active (and the kids off the Xbox!) with its own rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis and lacrosse clubs and the Hough End playing fields has 27 football pitches (both Junior and senior) and 2 Gaelic football pitches along with a newly built leisure centre. The River Mersey is popular with dog walkers. The Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre includes a cinema.

Have a look at www.didsburylife.com to check out what is going on.

Relocating to Manchester? Want more information on Didsbury? Just get in touch. We offer personalised relocation services in Manchester, Cheshire and throughout the North West.