[Guest_ringledman_*]

Sale?

Looking at 3 beds.

Thoughts on the area?

[CapitalistPiglet]

The region listed as just Sale, around the Sale town center, are good. Theres good schools and links into Manchester. It gets a bit dodgy further away. The area on the other side of Washway Road, Sale West, goes downhill very quickly.

Further out from Manchester along the road/tramway/canal, theres Brooklands, Timperley and Altrincham. Altrincham is more expensive still, but Brooklands and Timperley are similar prices. You can't go wrong there with lots of 1930s 3 bed semis. Theres quite a few people on the forum from this area.

[monks]

Grew up in Sale (firstly Sale Moor, then moving to the Wardle Road area near the Little B pub when I was 11). Parents still around there now so I know it well. In general, Sale is a good area, but the definition of "Sale" is so wide, it is hard to be specific - it extends right from areas around The Avenue, touching the race course estate, through to edge of Ashton on Mersey, Sale Moor border is hard to define, and Wythenshawe / Brooklands Road. Just within these few descriptions, I have gone from £1M+ properties, through to council bedsit land... I suggest narrowing your search down and re-posting... 80-90% of where I have described is fairly reasonable though, although on a Friday / Saturday night all bets are off, and you / your property has a VERY small chance of finding trouble. My parents went through a spate of having their car side mirror kicked off by drunks (this is on a desirable road - house probably costs upwards of £380k) - they always park it up the drive now

[R K]

Sale is the very definition of 3 bed semi land. Welcome to suburbia - knock yourself out.

(or sharpen up your criteria - transport links, school catchments, nightlife, shopping experience, pre-war/post-war, etc etc. For a man looking to spend a few hundred Ks you don't seem to have given it a great deal of thought if your op is anything to go by).

[Guest_ringledman_*]

Suburbia sounds alright. Decent links to the city and motorways.

Give me the equally priced alternatives then redknight.

[SeeYouNextTuesday]

Buy or rent?

[Nomadd]

ringledman, on 18 January 2012 - 08:06 PM, said:

Suburbia sounds alright. Decent links to the city and motorways.

Give me the equally priced alternatives then redknight.

Listen to monks, he pretty much hits the nail on the head. Sale (inc. the closer parts of Brooklands) is very mixed, some of it as expensive as Hale (The Avenue, Moss Lane, etc.), some of it pretty cheap, and for good reason (Manor Estate, worst bits of Sale Moor.) I'm not a fan of Sale town centre, but it does the job for basic shopping needs. Schools can be very good, but be very careful on location, as literally a few yards can end up putting you outside the right catchment area. Easy access to Manchester city centre, or off in the other direction for the Southern heading motorways + airport. Last couple of times I've worked on contracts in the NW, it's been surprising how many folks had based themselves (and families) long-term in Sale; and been happy with their choice. As I say, get the right area, and it has a lot to offer.

Alty and Timperley are similar alternatives (Timperley being much smaller and generally better, but quieter, IMHO, than much of Sale.) Again, depending on budget, parts of Hale/Hale Barns/Bowden. As monks said, you can go from 100k to £1 million in Sale, and depending upon where you are in that price range you could choose literally anywhere in South Manchester. In the sub £300k bracket, though, I think Sale offers some pretty decent choices; that kind of cash wouldn't go very far in some of the other places mentioned.

Nomadd

[manchester50]

I lived in Sale at one point and have spent a good amount of time there since. Would agree with the other comments, but whether the place is right for you depends on your priorities of course and you haven't said much.

I see it as ok suburbia for someone with a middle-of-the-road budget (i.e. can step above the likes of wythenshawe but not afford pricier bits of Alty/Hale), prob with kids, tram into town, pretty good m/w access, decent schools around. Has a perfectly good leisure centre, few sports clubs etc. Couple of ok pubs and restaurants. Decent sized tesco, sains and M&S food.

Downsides - some areas are rougher and this shows in the town centre; most of the town centre is a depressing 60s hole filled with pensioners or the out of work, despite the revamp of the arcade a few years ago and the emergence of the odd good place to eat. Walk through the town centre and you wouldn't think you're in a remotely affluent area. Walk down some of the smarter (& still v pricey) residential streets and you'd get a completely different picture.

If I was looking at Manchester suburbs and was single/in a couple then I'd look at Disbury/Chorlton. If a family then Hale > better parts of Alty > Timperley > better parts of Sale - in that order. Timperley is 'bland suburbia' but feels a less rundown to me than parts of Sale.

Re-reading that, I probably come across as more negative than Sale deserves - it comes from looking at houses/areas for too long and becoming very critical. I head that way for work every now and then but now live 30mins south of there.

PS I also lived on Wardle Road for a time.

[R K]

ringledman, on 18 January 2012 - 08:06 PM, said:

Suburbia sounds alright. Decent links to the city and motorways.

Give me the equally priced alternatives then redknight.

South Manc?

I'd head over to Bramhall/Cheadle Hulme (more family oriented).

I don't 'get' Didsbury/Chorlton, but everyone's priorities are different. You haven't elaborated on yours so it's impossible to be more constructive. From the way you write I'd guess 20s, no kids, soon to be relocating to Mcr, so families/schools don't appear to be on your agenda, otherwise that would be way up your priority list.

[Guest_ringledman_*]

Thanks to you all for the great advice. much appreciated.

Red Knight, on 20 January 2012 - 02:37 PM, said:

South Manc?

I'd head over to Bramhall/Cheadle Hulme (more family oriented).

I don't 'get' Didsbury/Chorlton, but everyone's priorities are different. You haven't elaborated on yours so it's impossible to be more constructive. From the way you write I'd guess 20s, no kids, soon to be relocating to Mcr, so families/schools don't appear to be on your agenda, otherwise that would be way up your priority list.

Basically been in Manchester around the city centre / victoria park / fallowfield for 7 years.

Thought of buying in Chorlton / Didsbury but to be honest still see them as a bit scally. Also hear from a colleague that Chorlton is rife with burgalries.

Want to get out of the M60 madness to somewhere a bit quieter but still with close links to the city centre (hence Sale and the metro).

Misses doesnt like driving too far and needs to get into Trafford for work fairly easily.

Mid 30s, no kids yet but want to buy a house to last 10 years and expect kids to be in primary school over the next decade or so. So need to buy in an area for a good primary and perhaps secondary school.

Budget - Approx £250k. Looking for a 3 bed victorian with something of a back garden. Not interested in a new-build.

Currently looked around the block that Walton Road runs down (from Marsland Road to Park Road). Told this was a decent part.

Am open to other suggestions.

Cheers.

This post has been edited by ringledman: 20 January 2012 - 04:58 PM

[manchester50]

Given the extra info you've provided, in your shoes I'd look at Bramhall and Cheadle over Sale/Timp. You've basically outgrown what Didsbury/Chorlton have to offer, Sale/Timp are bland/depressing (just my opinion of course), and Bramhall/Cheadle have a bit more going for them, you've no tram but get the train into Pic.

[R K]

manchester50, on 20 January 2012 - 07:01 PM, said:

Given the extra info you've provided, in your shoes I'd look at Bramhall and Cheadle over Sale/Timp. You've basically outgrown what Didsbury/Chorlton have to offer, Sale/Timp are bland/depressing (just my opinion of course), and Bramhall/Cheadle have a bit more going for them, you've no tram but get the train into Pic.

We appear to share similar views. I also find Sale/Timp bland/depressing.

Your criteria (Ringledman) seem to be similar to Seeyounexttuesday and he must know this market inside out and upside down by now, poor fella.

Fewer (but some) Victorian (more in places like Edgeley as you get closer to Stockport, but not so 'desirable' perhaps depending on your personal tastes), but quite a lot of decent pre and post war 3 and 4 beds in your price range within walking distance to good primary and reasonable secondary, walking distance to Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme stations, busy 'village' atmosphere with decent local shops and 2 mins drive to Handforth Dean for Tesco/Sainsburys/M&S/John Lewis. Good m'way access and on a few minutes from open countryside going out towards the Peak district, Woodford and Macclefield. On the Wilmslow intercity line to London if needs be.

I'd get over there for a wander on foot to get a feel for it. It may depend in the end which 'side' of South Manc you want to be on. Washway road is a nightmare and I'd slit my wrists if I had to commute up and down that on a regular basis.

Here's a few examples:- Good solid 60s/70s 3 beds around Ashley drive

http://www.rightmove...#?thumbnailId=1

or improved 70s by the bucket load

http://www.rightmove...y-32805718.html

A few Victorian terraces/end terraces = This one says 2/3. Might not suit 2 kids but looks quite nice and in a good location.

http://www.rightmove...y-30851644.html


Edit: Found this one which looks to be more your exact spec. It's in an excellent position but more expensive with a £325k asking price. Presumably to justify all the money they've spent doing it up. Anyway, gives you an idea perhaps.

http://www.rightmove...y-35127149.html

and this which looks to be adjoining or very close to the one above. £310k asking but appears to be less 'blinged' up.

http://www.rightmove...y-29987650.html

They're c 20% asking above your stated budget but you never know..........if not suitable then you can cross that area off your wish list.

This post has been edited by Red Knight: 21 January 2012 - 02:50 PM

[SeeYouNextTuesday]

Red Knight, on 21 January 2012 - 02:30 PM, said:

he must know this market inside out and upside down by now, poor fella.

Actually, I don't. Only focusing on a tiny patch of the market. Sale has never really interested me, Timperley I've half heartedly looked at. You've tried to point me in the direction of Bramhall and Cheadle in the past but if I had the money to spend on those houses you've listed, I'm sure I could find a house on the hale side of Alty that would meet my lifestyle "needs" if not all my material property needs. Not that i think that would be any better "value" than a SK address. I can face it, I don't have enough money to buy a house where I would like. 250k is, for various reasons, the top of my budget. Genuinely cast adrift as to what to do next but this is ringled's thread not mine.

http://www.rightmove...y-30658204.html

http://www.rightmove...y-21158298.html

http://www.rightmove...y-29987932.html

This post has been edited by SeeYouNextTuesday: 21 January 2012 - 11:23 PM

[manchester50]

I'd probably also look at the type of houses mentioned above round Grove lane etc if that's what you get for 250k. I'd prefer to be in reach of Hale centre. Hale train, Alty centre and Alty tram than any of the other Sale/Timp options personally. Unless the extra 10 mins tram time into town matters.

I'm looking further out as we want something a little more rural/with outdoor space. Dunham Town would be ideal but it's all NT bar one house one at 1.1million..

[R K]

manchester50, on 22 January 2012 - 01:06 PM, said:

I'd probably also look at the type of houses mentioned above round Grove lane etc if that's what you get for 250k. I'd prefer to be in reach of Hale centre. Hale train, Alty centre and Alty tram than any of the other Sale/Timp options personally. Unless the extra 10 mins tram time into town matters.

I'm looking further out as we want something a little more rural/with outdoor space. Dunham Town would be ideal but it's all NT bar one house one at 1.1million..

Knutsford?

I think it's probably wise to stay within a reasonable walking distance of a train (or tram) station. Not just for commuting but for 'future proofing'. One doesn't know just yet how the oil price/car thing will play out.

Being a car journey away from train stations and also other public amenties such as supermarkets, healthcare etc etc might not look such a good bet in a few years. Of course we may transition to electric or hydrogen or other vehicles without skipping a beat in which case it won't matter, but buying any time in the foreseable that would be high on my list of priorities just in case.

This 'risk' is very noticeable (to me) when I visit friends who don't have these facilities on their door step. It doesn't seem to occur to them that they may not always have or be able to afford to run a car as cheaply as now when it takes them 20 minutes to reach a supermarket or 10 minutes drive to the nearest train station. I wonder how they would cope if circumstances changed and who might buy their (expensive) houses off them.