Greater Manchester is without a doubt one of the most exciting and quickest growing regions in the country, in an economical sense. This region’s rapid growth, paired with its vibrant cultural scene and welcoming atmosphere, has resulted in a huge influx of people making the move up to the unofficial capital of the North.
With this in mind, we thought we’d take a look at what Greater Manchester has to offer to renters moving to the region, some key areas and a rental market overview to help make the decision easier for those considering moving!
Things to do
Greater Manchester is home to a multitude of things to do across the ten metropolitan boroughs. The city centre is easily one of the most exciting areas. You can spend the day shopping at the Arndale Centre, take in a show or live gig at one of the numerous entertainment venues, head out for a nice meal in and around Spinningfields or drink to your hearts content in the vibrant Northern Quarter. The centre has an extremely unique and lively atmosphere that completely captivates those who visit.
Outside of the centre, residents in Greater Manchester can visit The Trafford Centre in Trafford. The large indoor shopping centre and leisure complex is one of the most popular places to visit in the region thanks to its wide range of stores, restaurants and leisure attractions.
If shopping and/or dining out aren’t for you, Greater Manchester is home to an abundance of beautiful outdoor space across the boroughs. If you fancy a waterfront stroll down by the docks, Salford Quays is the place to go, whilst those looking for more greenery are spoil for choice with the likes of Heaton Park, Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens and Etherow Country Park all within the region. The region also has the Peak District national park right on its doorstep, which boasts some of the finest scenery in the country.
There truly is something for everybody to enjoy in Greater Manchester, and this diverse spectrum of things to do is just one component of what makes the region so extremely popular.
Transport
Greater Manchester is home to one of the most sophisticated transport networks in the country. Bus, tram and train services all offer ways to get in and out of the city centre and around the numerous boroughs. A number of walking and cycling incentives have also been introduced to promote a healthy and sustainable way to travel around the area.
The future of Greater Manchester’s transport network is where it really gets exciting, however. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has vowed to accelerate plans to bring the region’s bus network back under public control in the hopes of introducing a London-style franchise network. These upcoming changes will see Greater Manchester become the first region outside of the capital to have a regulated bus system since the 1980’s, leaving fares, timetables and routes to be decided by local authorities as opposed to private companies.
This wide scale regeneration of the region’s transport system is set to result in a harmonious, affordable and intertwined transport network throughout the entirety of Greater Manchester, truly benefiting those who live in the area.
Where to rent?
Manchester City Centre
The Manchester city centre region is truly a rental hotspot, and for good reason too. In addition to the aforementioned amenities and things to do, the city is also home to a bustling work scene for young professionals looking to take the next step in their careers. A plethora of digital, tech and financial market leaders have their national and regional head offices in the city centre, including Barclays, the Co-operative Group, Google and KPMG to name a few.
With the number of career opportunities rivalling that of the capital, the appeal of moving to the centre is easy to see – and even more so when breaking down the current rental market. According to Home.co.uk, the current average rental property costs £1,094pcm. Breaking this down even further, the average 1-bedroom in the centre will cost you £817pcm, a 2-bed will cost £1,014pcm and a 3-bed will cost £1,214pcm. To put these prices into perspective, in London an average rental property will cost you £2,676pcm at the time of writing.
Salford Quays
Another area that has experienced an influx of opportunities for young professionals is Salford Quays, and in particular, MediaCityUK. The entire Salford Quays area has undergone a complete transformation over the last decade or so, reinventing itself into the epicentre for media, digital and tech companies deciding to move away from the capital. The MediaCityUK development has seen the likes of the BBC, ITV and Kellogg’s move to the area, offering countless opportunity for those living in the Greater Manchester and Salford Quays region.
This extensive regeneration has transformed Salford Quays into one of the UK’s most popular rental markets. The mix of job opportunities, affordable rental prices and waterfront living has seen a large number of people move to the area. As it stands, the current average price for a rental property in the M50 area is £1,005pcm. Looking at this by number of bedrooms, an average 1-bedroom property will cost £837pcm, £1,068pcm for a 2-bed and £1,495pcm for a 3-bed – in line with the city centres prices and massively below the capital’s.
The appeal of living in Greater Manchester is clear to see, and here at Intus we have a number of properties throughout the region. Take a look here and get in touch with us today for more information.
