The top 10 ‘happiest’ places to live in the North West in 2026 have been named

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The top 10 happiest places to live in the North West have been named for 2026.

It comes as Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index this week, just as it has done for the last 14 years now, exploring exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlighting the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year – with thousands of residents across more than 200 locations providing feedback.

The residents told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community, from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.

The survey also outlined the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.

So, when it comes to the North West as a whole then, where do we have in the top 10?

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Well, to kick things off, you may have already seen that one Lancashire market town has earned its place in the top 10 nationwide, not just for the North West region – and that’s Chorley.

Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley – which is is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.

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But aside from the national top 10, when it comes to the regional top 10, the next two towns following Chorley in second and third are both in Greater Manchester.

The North West’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026

  1. Chorley
  2. Stockport
  3. Altrincham
  4. Chester
  5. Macclesfield
  6. Southport
  7. Kendal
  8. Wirral
  9. Northwich
  10. Carlisle
Altrincham has been named one of the North West’s happiest places to live / Credit: The Manc Group

The ever-thriving Stockport comes in at number two, followed by Trafford favourite Altrincham directly behind it at number three.

Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.

Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important.

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“This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”

Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Wikimedia Commons)

Muse at Co-op Live, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo Muse’s The Wow! Signal Europa Tour at the Co-op Live, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more

Legendary rock band Muse will bring their long awaited European and UK Tour to the Co-op Live for two nights this week.

The tour is set to showcase Muse’s tenth studio album The Wow! Signal, along with their latest single Nightshift Superstar and Hush with Ellie Goulding.

This new material explores themes of cosmic communication, technological anxiety, existential wonder, and the search for meaning in an ever changing and increasingly disconnected world.

Since forming in 1994, Muse have released nine studio albums, selling over 30 million units worldwide – it’s fair to say they’re a pretty big deal and we are proud to be hosting them at the Co-op Live.

The multi-award-winning band are widely regarded as one of the world’s most innovative live performers, with their iconic, space-rock, upbeat sound – trust us this is not one you want to miss out on.

Find all that you could possibly need to know about Muse’s Manchester shows below…

Gig Guide | Muse at Co-op Live, Manchester

Muse UK Tour dates

Can you still get tickets to see Muse in Manchester?

Yes, you can stop the Hysteria – there is a selection of general, premium and verified resale tickets left, for both nights in Manchester.

You can buy tickets for Muse’s Thursday night show HERE, from £96.70.

And tickets to see Muse in Manchester on Friday night are available HERE, from £50.70.

What songs can Muse fans expect to hear on the setlist?

Muse are playing in Manchester this week. Credit: Tim Saccenti
Muse are playing in Manchester this week. Credit: Tim Saccenti

Manchester is the very first night of the Muse European tour, so we’re not 100% sure what the setlist will be yet.

But judging from past gigs, Muse’s The Wow! Signal Europa Tour is set to feature a complete mix of career defining classics and fresh tracks.

Here’s the setlist they used in the US earlier this year:

  • Interlude
  • Hysteria
  • Cryogen
  • Supermassive Black Hole
  • Hexagons
  • Intro
  • Map of the Problematique
  • Unravelling
  • Kill or Be Killed
  • Be With You
  • Psycho
  • Madness
  • Plug In Baby
  • Hanging in Victory Square
  • Time Is Running Out
  • Uprising
  • Knights of Cydonia
  • The 2nd Law: Isolated System
  • Nightshift Superstar
  • Algorithm
  • Undisclosed Desires
  • Prelude
  • Starlight
  • Take a Bow

Who is supporting Muse in Manchester?

Dead Poet Society are joining Muse for their Manchester dates.

The American rock band began as an independent, recording and producing all of their own songs, before signing to Spinefarm Records.

Dead Poet Society’s music has a heavy indie rock and djent pop sound to it, found in their newly released album Monarch, including songs such as Die If You Don’t, Cold and Hollywood On Fire.

Muse will also be supported by Bitterpearl, a four-piece London indie/alternative band.

Stage times for Muse at Co-op Live

  • General admission doors: 18:30
  • Bitterpearl: 19:00
  • Dead Poet Society: 19:40
  • Muse: 21:00

These times are approximate and are subject to change.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

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Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

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The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

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Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

Read more…

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE

Featured image: Polocho

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