ALTRINCHAM & CHRISTLETON NAMED IN THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST PLACES TO LIVE

Altrincham and Christleton are both in the list of eight locations in the region chosen by The Sunday Times in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

The comprehensive guide, which includes 70 locations, is released online today and an edited version will be available in the paper on Sunday. 

The Sunday Times’s expert judges behind the guide assess a wide range of factors, from schools, transport and broadband to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.  

They look to celebrate improving towns, villages or city centres, attractive, well-designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit – which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.  

An average house price for each location has been supplied by Halifax, the sponsor of the guide, and up-to-date information on broadband speeds has been provided by Thinkbroadband.com, the UK’s leading independent guide to broadband. 

Please note: apart from the regional winner, the other locations are not ranked, but listed in alphabetical order. 

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2022: Northwest of England 

·       Winner: Trawden, Lancashire 

·       Altrincham, Cheshire 

·       Christleton, Cheshire 

·       Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria 

·       Prestwich, Greater Manchester 

·       West Kirby, Merseyside 

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list is necessarily subjective. Leave it just to statistics and you will never capture the spirit of a place. For that, you need to visit to take into account that ‘you have to be here’ feeling. Is the pub dog-friendly, for example? Can you live car-free? What are the schools and houses like? Is it multicultural and multigenerational, and can it offer a good way of life to lots of different sorts of people? 

“Ten years ago, when we launched the inaugural list, London’s gravitational pull was strong, the WFH revolution had not yet reached our doorstep and high streets were stacked with chains. How times have changed — and how welcome that change is.  

“This year we have discovered new best places to live from resurgent city centres in the North, rejuvenated suburbs across the country, hidden villages in the Southwest, and a commutable Scottish island. 

“We hope there is something to suit everyone.” 

There are comments from the judges on each of the chosen locations below. More details are available on request. Helen Davies, editor of the guide, and the judges are available for interview, to discuss specific entries or issues raised by the guide.  

Altrincham, Greater Manchester: The magical food hall and market that transformed this former Cheshire market town from a dead-zone dormitory with the worst high street in Britain into one of Manchester’s best destinations goes from strength to strength. The schools are among the best in the Northwest, the tram offers an easy route to Media City and the city centre and parks and countryside are all within easy reach. 

Average house price: £531,000  

Growth since 2020: 10% 

Christleton, Cheshire (New): This picture-perfect spot offers an aspirational version of traditional village life just a few miles from the centre of Chester. It’s beautiful, much loved by its residents, has excellent schools right on the doorstep and a shop, café and excellent pubs. 

Average house price: £489,000 

Growth since 2020: 39% 

More information here:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/best-places-to-live  

Credit: The Sunday Times Best Places to Live