Stockport in Greater Manchester has been hailed by The Times as the best place to live in the north west of England for 2024, and it’s not the first time the town’s been recognised.
This year’s Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide has just been released by the national newspaper, revealing the most appealing and thriving places to live across the various regions of the UK.
Judges visited each location shortlisted, assessing a wide range of factors including schools, transport, broadband speeds, cultural offerings, green spaces, and the health of the high street, among other considerations. The research also involved speaking to locals to find out what stands out about their town, city or village.
And for the north west, the Greater Manchester town of Stockport came out ahead of the rest of the nominations, after being particularly recognised for its ongoing transformation which judges said made it “one of the most exciting towns around”.
Referring to the extensive regeneration that has been changing the face of Stockport in recent years and is set to continue to do so, the newspaper said the town was “in the throes a mighty metamorphosis”, adding: “The historic streets around the Market Hall and the Underbanks are filling up with a joyous collection of funky independent businesses.”
“Excitement” in Stockport
The newspaper noted the council’s £1bn investment – which is one of the biggest regeneration programmes locally – as one major aspect that continues to transform the town. Part of this is the brand-new transport interchange that is set to open imminently, along with the new Viaduct Park.
As Greater Manchester’s current ‘Town of Culture‘, Stockport is also hosting a whole weekend of activities to celebrate the town’s cultural offering, which will take place on 23rd and 24th March, while the whole of 2024 will provide opportunities to residents, creatives, businesses and community organisations.
Speaking about Stockport being named as the best place to live in the north west, Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “It’s fantastic to learn that the Sunday Times have named Stockport as the best place to live in the North West, which is just the latest accolade for Stockport and further national recognition.
“It’s not just us saying we’re one of the most exciting towns around, it’s coming from people far and wide and we couldn’t agree more. We’re committed to making Stockport a place everyone here is proud to call home.”
The Sunday Times judges said:
“The town in Greater Manchester is in the throes of a mighty metamorphosis that’s turning it into one of the most exciting towns around. The conversion of the vast Weir Mill into a new neighbourhood is well underway. The new Interchange project will link buses and trains around a new park while the historic streets around the Market Hall and the Underbanks are filling up with a joyous collection of funky independent businesses. It’s functional and family-friendly, too, with unbeatable rail connections, parks, sports clubs and good-value houses up and down the property ladder.”
A stellar reputation
Stockport was already making a name for itself as a top town in the north west – and in the UK – thanks to other recent accolades awarded to it in recent times.
Last year, Which? named Stockport as one of the top 12 places in the UK to retire, while it was also named by The Times as one of the best 12 places for first-time buyers to get onto the housing ladder. The Underbanks area has also been recognised as one of the top 25 places in the UK to shop, according to The Telegraph.
Slightly further back, in 2022 the Sunday Times put Stockport in its list of the best up-and-coming areas to invest in, so this latest achievement is a good indication that this was – and remains to be – the case for property investors. Read our article, 5 reasons why Stockport is an exciting investment destination right now.
At the end of last year, Stockport was also recognised alongside Tameside as one of the country’s top five places for tenant demand, recording an average 48 tenant enquiries for each rental property listed.
If you’re interested in investing in property in Stockport, get in touch with BuyAssociation today to find out what current or upcoming opportunities we have in the town.
