Bury, Gtr Manchester?

Question

Can anybody give me info on Bury? What it's like for prices, schools, amenities, lifestyle etc?

Answer 1

Out of the north Manchester periphery towns it's probably the nicest and most affluent - although a lot of this depends on where you would choose to live; like all towns it has its good and bad areas and it's still, basically, a down-to-earth working class town, although a bit rough round the edges.

It's a very friendly place with a bustling town centre with a fairly decent shopping centre and the famous Bury Market.

It's got some great schools - for example Holy Cross Sixth College (sixth form) has been ranked seventh in the country, which shows the quality of the feeder schools, and although not a private college it regularly beats private colleges in its results and Ofsted reports. It also has a grammar school - Bury Grammar.

In terms of prices, it's not the cheapest town in north Manchester but it's cheaper than south Manchester (I've found it's where people who can't afford to live in south Manchester but still want somewhere nice to live go to).

As for nightlife, I have to admit that apart from going to local pubs (such as the Queen Anne in Unsworth), for anyone over the age of 25 who doesn't like alcopops then Manchester is a better bet. There is a multiplex cinema and bowling alley in nearby Pilsworth but, again, they seem to be frequented mainly by young kids and are in a serious need of refurbishment.

One of the biggest benefits to Bury is that it has good public transport - especially the Metrolink, which, while quite expensive to use (more expensive than the London Underground) it is reliable and runs straight into Manchester in next to no time.

It's also right on the edge of the countryside - just a couple of miles north of the town and you hit rolling fields and hills, which is great for walking.

A bit of a mixed bag, I guess. Probably depends on what your expectations are. If you live in a nice area then it could be really lovely, but some areas are a bit rough, like with any town. I've lived in Hollins and Jericho, both of which were fine, and there are more exclusive areas further out of the town on the edge of the country, such as Brandlesholme and Greenmount.

Hope this has been of some help - your best bet is to pay it a visit and see what you think!

Answer 2

I'd be very careful about living in Bury-there are some very dodgy neighbourhoods,yes some of it is nice-but most of it is quite rough.The town centre can be a no go zone after dark especially at weekends-pubs full of idiots falling all over the place,the bars are jam packed with drunken football loving yobs.I'd suggest if you really do want to live in Bury you look at properties going out of Bury towards Ramsbottom which is a nicer place.To be honest most people I know who live in Bury are trying their hardest to leave because it's not a great place to raise a family.

Answer 3

I have lived in Prestwich, Bury's Southernest area(and nearest to Manchester) for 11 years and have raised my children there happily, good schools Heaton Park ,a great place access to Motorways and tram, very green with lots of trees compared to many areas, only down side is Bury Council is perochial and historically starves the area of stuff like swimmimg baths which it does deliver to its preferred citizens of Radcliffe and Bury Town.

Answer 4

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