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Two Greater Manchester towns named among UK’s best places to live in annual Sunday Times ranking

Can you guess where?

Emily Sergeant - 15th March 2024

Two Greater Manchester towns have been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.

It’s that time of year, once again.

The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2024’s ranking has officially been published today – with a total of 72 locations making up the comprehensive guide, and seven of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.

Knutsford in Cheshire, Kendal in Cumbria, and Ribble Valley in Lancashire are just three of the North West towns named by the publication in the 2024 list.

A spotlight has also been shone on Christleton in Cheshire, and Sefton Park in Liverpool.

The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all 72 locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and more, to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.

2024’s chosen locations come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny islands and remote villages, to bustling towns and big lively cities making the cut.

But where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2024, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester‘s very own Stockport.

The Sunday Times judges called the town – which currently holds the title as Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2023 – “one of the most exciting around”.

Stockport’s description in the publication reads: “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.”

And Stockport isn’t the only Greater Manchester town that’s been singled-out by The Sunday Times this year either, as the ever-changing and constantly-improving Bury town of Prestwich has also been given some praise.

The judges said: “Prestwich is where you come if you want to enjoy Manchester’s buzz and have an affordable redbrick house with a garden. There’s a lively restaurant scene, a choice of parks and plenty going on, and the tram makes getting to the city centre a doddle.”

The overall title of The Sunday Times’ Best Place to Live in 2024 has been given to North Berwick in East Lothian, so it’s a big win for the Scots this year.

Read more:

• Stockport named one of the 12 best places in the UK to retire
• Greater Manchester area named one of the best places in the UK to raise a family
• Stockport is hosting a Town of Culture Weekender with 50+ events – and it’s all FREE

Well, what’s your take on 2024’s list then? Has The Sunday Times missed anywhere off the list, or do you reckon the judges got it right?

Hit us with your thoughts.

Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Geograph)