Stockport ranks among UK’s ‘Best Places to Live’

Stockport has been hailed as one of the best places to live in the UK and one of seven Best Places to Live in the Northwest, according to the annual Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live’ guide.

The Sunday Times’ expert judges visited each of the locations to assess factors - from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street stating that “Stockport’s appeal, whatever your background or budget, lies in its abundance of property, parks, nurseries and outstanding schools.”

The annual list praised Stockport among 72 towns and cities across Great Britain and Northern Ireland for its abundance of green spaces, high quality housing, and fast broadband speeds. Thanks to the council’s ambitious £1 billion regeneration plan of investment, the town’s ranking recognises its upward trajectory as a destination.

Early phase developments at Stockport Exchange have been brought to fruition along with one of the first projects in a quest to provide more options for town centre living. The Mailbox – a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments - reached capacity soon after completion. The new Transport Interchange, further phases at Stockport Exchange and urban living at Weir Mill are all currently being developed.

In their profile, the paper described the town as “turning itself from a standard former mill town into a funky, family-friendly alternative to Manchester’s Northern Quarter.”

The town’s leisure options including the Light Cinema, town centre cocktail bar, Cherry Jam, and independent food and drink businesses at Stockport Market and throughout the borough were singled out as highlights for residents and users of the town centre to take advantage of.

Sophia Barrese (pictured right), who owns vintage clothing store, Top of the Town in the historic Underbanks area of the town, told The Times “Stockport has always had its own bones and character”. She went on to add that it’s been frustrating to be in Manchester’s shadow but conclude “that’s definitely changing now.”

Alongside Stockport and top destination, Liverpool, five other towns and cities in the North-west were also included in the Best Places to Live 2023 Guide: Ancoats and Sale in Greater Manchester, Tarporley in Cheshire, Rawtenstall in Lancashire, and Penrith in Cumbria.

Sponsored by Halifax, which provided average house prices for each location, the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, is now in its 11th year.

The Sussex market town of Wadhurst was secured the UK’s overall top-spot in the list.