Stockport named North West’s Best Place to Live

Stockport has been named the North West’s Best Place to Live in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide.

The town has taken the top spot in the region’s rankings, after losing out to Liverpool in 2023’s list and judges highlighted the changes taking place that are transforming the fortunes of the town centre in making their decision. The Times has also previously named Stockport as among the country’s 12 best places for first-time buyers, while research by Which? Magazine lauded the town as one of the best places to live during retirement.

The Sunday Times judges said:

“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.” 

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said:

“It’s fantastic to learn that the Sunday Times have named Stockport as the best place to live in the North West, which is just the latest accolade for Stockport and further national recognition. It’s not just us saying we’re one of the most exciting towns around, it’s coming from people far and wide and we couldn’t agree more. We’re committed to making Stockport a place everyone here is proud to call home.

“The town centre has been transformed by more than £1billion of investment – one of the largest regeneration programmes nationally – so this latest news comes at a very exciting time for Stockport. In just a few days our state-of-the-art transport Interchange and our fabulous new Viaduct Park will open and, as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture, next week we are hosting a whole weekend of activities to celebrate the town’s fantastic cultural offer. 2024 is our biggest year yet.”

 Marketing Stockport’s Helen White commented:

“I’m delighted to hear of Stockport’s recent recognition by The Sunday Times as the premier living destination in the northwest, although it may come as little or no surprise to many of its residents and astute businesses. Our town’s unparalleled proximity to both a bustling city centre and the tranquil green expanse of the Peak District offers its inhabitants a diverse array of lifestyle options, fostering contentment among residents and instilling confidence in businesses seeking to attract top-tier talent who can look forward to a happy, balanced lifestyle.”

Marketing Stockport’s Richard Higginson added:

“The emphasis placed on community enhancement, a key criterion in The Sunday Times’ evaluation, is illustrated in Stockport’s extensive volunteer network exceeding 57,000 individuals – a testament to the town’s strong sense of community, indicative of its caring culture and happy disposition. I’d like to think that Stockport’s recognition as a pinnacle of northwest living is a catalyst for continued progress and prosperity, nurturing a thriving community for residents and businesses alike.”

North Berwick in East Lothian, Scotland, was named the overall best place to live in the UK, with six other locations in the North West also featuring: Christleton and Knutsford, both in Cheshire; Kendal, Cumbria; Prestwich, Greater Manchester; Ribble Valley, Lancashire; and Sefton Park, Liverpool 

Published by The Sunday Times and sponsored by the mortgage lender, Halifax, the Best Places to Live guide includes 72 locations across the UK and is released online on Friday, March 15th. An abridged version will be published as a magazine supplement on Sunday 17th March.