Kids & Family
This Greater Manchester area has just been named one of the best in the UK to raise a family
A pretty wholesome title.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd September 2023 
We all know Greater Manchester is home to a wide range of neighbourhoods and residential areas to suit every need.
But one area, in particular, has just been named among the best in the UK to raise a family.
Fresh off the back of two of our region’s towns being highlighted as places that first time buyers should consider looking at to get onto the property ladder, and not long after another two local towns earned themselves a place within the top 20 ‘most desirable’ in Britain, Greater Manchester has now got another title to talk about with pride.
After the team at home security experts ADT decided to do some research into the best places in the country for those looking to raise a family, Trafford has made it into the top 10.
The Greater Manchester borough has earned seventh place on the list after a number of factors were analysed for the research – including the quality of the local schools, the general safety of the area, and the number of parks within walking distance.
The top 10 most family-friendly areas in the UK
| Rank | Area | Crime Rate Per 1,000 People, Year ending March 2023 | Burglary Rate Per 1,000 People, Year ending March 2023 | Average number of Parks, Public Gardens, or Playing Fields within a 1,000 m radius | Percentage of Oustanding and Good Rated Schools and Colleges | Median House Price, Year Ending Dec 2022 | Cost of a single bus fare, adult | Family Safety Score /10 |
| 1 | Waltham Forest | 82 | 3.2 | 6 | 82.8% | £520,000 | £1.75 | 7.23 |
| 2 | Kirklees | 111 | 3.5 | 6 | 77.6% | £181,000 | £1.60 | 7.12 |
| 3 | Havering | 76 | 2.9 | 4 | 89.5% | £445,000 | £1.75 | 6.99 |
| 4 | Bexley | 65 | 2.4 | 4 | 81.3% | £425,000 | £1.75 | 6.96 |
| 4 | Bromley | 69 | 3.1 | 6 | 79.7% | £529,000 | £1.75 | 6.96 |
| 6 | Wirral | 96 | 2.6 | 6 | 77.8% | £200,000 | £2.00 | 6.80 |
| 7 | Trafford | 88 | 4.4 | 5 | 83.2% | £193,000 | £2.00 | 6.72 |
| 7 | Newcastle | 124 | 3.7 | 8 | 81.6% | £178,000 | £2.00 | 6.72 |
| 9 | Hounslow | 88 | 4.2 | 5 | 83.2% | £478,000 | £1.75 | 6.64 |
| 9 | Hillingdon | 80 | 3.6 | 5 | 80.5% | £485,000 | £1.75 | 6.64 |
Waltham Forest in London takes the top spot for the most family-friendly area in the UK, according to the research, as it ranked within the top 15 for both the lowest crime and burglary rates, and also ranked seventh for schools – with 82.8% having a “good” or higher rating from OFSTED.
Kirkless in West Yorkshire took second place, followed by Havering, Bexley, and Bromley all rounding out the top five.
As well as Kirklees placing second and Trafford being in the seventh spot, the Wirral and Newcastle-upon-Tyne are also fellow northern representatives within the top 10.
Sadly, on the other end of the spectrum, the least family-friendly area in the UK was found to be Birmingham, according to ADT’s research, as despite the average house price being £221,000, with a crime rate of 141 per 1,000 people, and a family safety score of just 2.5/10, the Midlands city takes the bottom spot.
On a more positive note though, when it comes the postcode area with the lowest crime rate in the UK, the North West is representing once again, as this has come out as CW12 3 in Cheshire East.
Read more:
- Two Greater Manchester towns named among UK’s best places to buy your first home
- You can get a pass to visit loads of National Trust sites for FREE this autumn
- Two Greater Manchester towns named in top 20 ‘most desirable’ in Britain
For the year ending June 2023, the crime rate for this postcode area was just 4.7 per 1,000 people.
Featured Image – Alexandra Park
