What’s going for it? With London’s property market closed to anyone earning less than a squillion a day, the early thirtysomethings are leaving the capital. They’ve scarpered to Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle. So while London’s property prices have flatlined, those in other big cities are rising, and they’re rising fastest in the once-cheapest spots: Birmingham’s Ladywell, Edinburgh’s Holyrood, Glasgow’s Finnieston and Openshaw, where prices have soared by 13%. Average home prices here are £126,553 still less than half that of Manchester as a whole. This is a neighbourhood that’s had – and has – substantial challenges. But, like Ladywell, Holyrood and Finnieston, it has a great location pretty close to the city centre (and to the M60 for escape) and a long period of fairly sustained investment. Up the road is the National Cycling Centre and Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. There’s a new civic hub and a Metrolink tramline. Openshaw’s got great schools, decent parks, a tight community and, on paper, good prospects. But I won’t lie: you’re not in Kansas/Ancoats any more, Toto.
The case against Openshaw is one of the most deprived spots in the country. It will need more sustained investment to see it prosper.
Well connected? Yes. Trains: local suburban trains pass by Gorton to the south a couple of times an hour to Manchester Piccadilly in 8 minutes; Metrolink tram lines 3 and 7 run to the north, along Ashton New Road, getting you to Piccadilly; and to Ashton-under-Lyne the other way. Buses galore, too, to central Manchester and Ashton. Driving: 10 minutes to the M60, and 15 to central Manchester.
Schools Primaries: St Barnabas CofE, Higher Openshaw Community and nearby Seymour Road are all “good”, says Ofsted, with Varna Community, St Francis RC and nearby Ravensbury “outstanding”. Secondaries: Droylsden is “good”, with Fairfield High for Girls and Wright Robinson “outstanding”.
Hang out at… I had a great pizza at Le Delicatezze di Bruno. The Monastery in Gorton does a fine tea.
Where to buy Modern townhouses and apartments are at the top of the market, many up by the canal. There are streets of well-built brick interwar semis and Victorian terraces off Ashton Old Road – nicest, perhaps, around Delamere Park. Townhouses, £150,000-£200,000. Semis, £120,000-£150,000. Terraces and cottages, £80,000-£135,000. Flats, £90,000-£160,000. Rentals: a one-bedroom flat, £450-£675pcm; a three-bedroom house, £600-£700pcm.
Bargain of the week Plenty. Terraces are especially affordable. There is a two-bedder, at £100,000, with Space 4 Living (0161-468 0754).
From the streets
Peter Taylor: ‘It’s pretty deprived. The main draw is the new Morrisons at Lime Square.’
John Stone: ‘A 15-minute bike ride and you’re in the centre of Manchester.’
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