Greater Manchester ‘utopia’ named one of the best UK towns to live in

The Sunday Times has named the best place to live in the UK, as well as the best area in each region, and a Greater Manchester town made the cut.

While Manchester made the shortlist – especially the area near Piccadilly station which was commended for its redevelopment – it didn’t take the top spot.

Altrincham was crowned the Best Place to Live in the North West of England, chosen from a shortlist of eight different locations across the region.

According to the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, Altrincham is where ‘suburbia meets utopia’.

Judges praised the market town’s schools, and The Sunday Times Parent Power guide named the girls’ grammar ‘the North West state secondary school of the decade’, while the boys’ grammar came in second.

Anthony O’Neil / Geograph

The area’s green spaces were ranked highly, including Dunham Massey, Stamford Park and the River Bollin.

Judges were very impressed with the market and food hall, which are seen by many as being responsible for the regeneration of the town’s centre, and the tram route into central Manchester was also taken into consideration.

While Altrincham was actually honoured as the overall winner of The Sunday Times Best Place to Live in Britain guide last year, Stroud in Gloucestershire took the crown for 2021.

Seven other locations were chosen from across the region for the North West shortlist, including Manchester, Saddleworth, Knutsford, Bollington, Liverpool, Kirkby Lonsdale, Arnside and Silverdale.

Rept0n1x / Wikimedia

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times property editor, said: “Our focus for this year has been community, countryside and convenience.

“It hasn’t been a year for big cities or small villages. Instead, it is small towns that have shone: big enough to have everything you need within walking distance and small enough for everyone to feel connected.

“Altrincham was chosen as our regional winner this year as it has everything you want in a suburb: parks, excellent transport links and top-class schools.”

She added: “The inspirational market and food hall that transformed the town centre from the worst in Britain to a favourite destination have continued to show their value, even during the pandemic.”