We love living in Manchester, and honestly we couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Now, we’ve been truly vindicated because one of our gorgeous Greater Manchester towns has been named one of the best places to live in the UK in 2025, and in case you hadn’t guessed, it’s Stockport.
Muddy Stilettos has explored buzzy market towns and peaceful villages to cities bursting with culture and community to find the best places to live in the UK, based on factors including commuting, schools, amenities and culture. Stockport was named alongside the likes of Cartmel in Cumbria, Lincoln and Newport in Pembrokeshire, so you can imagine the quaint, heritage-filled spots we’re looking at.
From its quaint old town to its blossoming mix of quirky shops, cafés and hipster hangouts, the historic market town of Stockport offers the buzz of Manchester with a side of community charm. Stockport hosts its regular Foodie Friday events, and plenty of community events and festivals throughout the year including Stock Party, Paint Jam and Moovin, so locals will never be bored.
Muddy Stilettos said: “Stockport, dubbed the “Gateway to the Peak District,” combines the charm of a historic market town (since 1871) with the buzz of a vibrant urban centre. Named as “one of the most exciting towns around”, it’s just a stone’s throw from Manchester.
“But with the landscapes of the Peak District practically on your doorstep, it’s a perfect mix of city life and countryside. Stockport is renowned for its beautiful viaduct, its old town with cobbled streets and historic buildings that house a burgeoning new centre of independent shops.”
The average house price in Stockport is around £295,634 making it an affordable choice compared to Manchester city centre, and the SK postcode spans a wide area, meaning there’s pretty much something for everyone. Plus, the town’s railway station offers 280 trains a day to Manchester, with a journey time of under eight minutes, making it ideal for those working in the city, and London is also easily accessible, taking two hours and 30 minutes, with around 54 trains per day.
Just a stone’s throw away from Stockport and Manchester is Cheshire, which has its own category in Muddy Stilettos’ Best Places to Live list, highlighting spots like Macclesfield, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and Chester, which are pretty easy to get to from Manchester city centre. If you don’t fancy moving your entire life, each of these places also offers a lovely day out, whether it’s shopping, eating or just having a nice walk around – without a huge journey home at the end.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a new place to call home, keep an eye on Stockport and everything it has to offer.