Prestwich locals have said they're 'so sick' of their home being branded 'the new Didsbury.' The Bury town has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK.
Six locations in the north west have been recognised as part of the Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2022 round-up. But Prestwich resident and DJ Jane Thomson told The Sunday Times: "I was so sick of hearing people saying that Prestwich is the new Didsbury.
"It's its own place, with its own community and lots of talent of its own, so we decided to do something to show it off." The Times reported that the 'constant comparison' to Didbsury 'inspired locals to launch its own arts festival in 2018' as part of its tribute-band festival aptly-named Festwich.
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It also states that Prestwich has seen a growth of 18% since 2020 and the average house price is £246,000. The north Manchester suburb makes its debut in the Best Places To Live list thanks to its fast-improving roster of bars and restaurants, quick and easy tram routes to the city centre and its thriving community and culture- most notably music festival Parklife, which attracts over 80,000 concertgoers per year at Heaton Park.
Sheepfoot Lane, Poppythorn Lane and Rectory Lane were all given special mentions as the best addresses in the town, with the 'grand detached properties' and 'redbrick Victorian houses' on the first two streets highlighted.
The accolade comes just weeks after it was announced the Bury town will undergo a huge £100 million pound project that is set to 'transform' the area and give it ‘a new community heart’. The Longfield Centre is set to be redeveloped over the next few years with a mix of new shops, homes, public space and a health centre.
Mum-of-two Melissa Hayat shared her favourite things about Prestwich with the Manchester Evening News. Melissa has been living in Prestwich for nine years and described the community as 'friendly' and 'close-knit.'
She said: "All the people are really friendly. It’s a close-knit community, so everyone is helping everyone. The community is good at getting involved with the schools when it comes to fundraising.
"The schools are good, too, especially for children with special needs. They have a lot to offer. The kids really like the library, and so do adults. You've got Heaton Park and Prestwich Clough- the nature parts are nice."
The 28-year-old added that she would like to see more leisure facilities for adults and children in Prestwich. She said: "A lot of people come here from other places for drinks and food, but if they had leisure facilities, it would attract people to Prestwich more.
"I go to Whitefield for the gym and to Bury for the shops, and Radcliffe is the main place for kids' activities like soft play and leisure facilities. So it would be nice if Prestwich had something like that, especially for the people who can't afford to travel outside of Prestwich."
Altrincham was also named by the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in the UK, thanks to its ' magic market,' 'top-notch schools and enviable green spaces.' Trawden in Lancashire, Christleton in Cheshire, Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria and West Kirby in Merseyside complete north west the round-up.
