“…being near to beautiful countryside is a major pull for those wanting to live near Manchester, but without the hubbub of the city”

Moving to Tameside

Bordering the city of Manchester in the east, Stockport in the south and Oldham in the north, the area of Tameside offers a quieter alternative for those commuting into the city, or seeking to retire somewhere with a slower pace of life. The area was originally named after the River Tame, which flows through a number of surrounding towns, such as Hyde and Stalybridge, as well as areas making up the Black Country.

The area developed as a result of mass industrialisation in the 19th century, and to this day Tameside retains its image as a relatively neglected manufacturing hub, with welcome investment now coming its way to rejuvenate employment and the quality of education. Although the district continues to face problems, particulary regarding deprivation and crime,  the council’s efforts are starting to pay off, with GCSE results improving more than anywhere else in the North West.

Even with a strong industrial heritage there are many points of interest for nature lovers such as the Peak District, which is on the doorstep of Tameside residents. In fact, being near to beautiful countryside is a major pull for those wanting to live near Manchester, but without the hubbub of the city.

House prices in Tameside

With an average property price of around £130,000 in 2017, Tameside is one of the most affordable areas in the North West to buy. Properties vary, with lots of terraced housing throughout the borough as well as modern flats in Ashton-under-Lyne and semi-detached and detached properties to be found in Stalybridge and Denton.

“With an average property price of around £130,000 in 2017, Tameside is one of the most affordable areas in the North West”

Transport

When it comes to public transport, Tameside is slightly less well connected than other Greater Manchester districts, although train stations can be found throughout the borough and both Ashton-under-Lyne and Droylsden are on the East Manchester Metrolink Line, making commuting into Manchester quick and easy. Ashton Bus Station is also undergoing extensive renovations and is expected to be completed in 2018.

For the drivers, Tameside is served by the both the M67 and M60 which makes the rest of Manchester (and the UK) easily accessible by car.

Lifestyle

As the largest urban area in Tameside, the market town of Ashton-under-Lyne is where most of the boroughs dining and shopping opportunities can be found. Leading restaurants in the area include the independent Puccini Ashton, Lilly’s Patisserie and Bistro and San Rocco, as well as popular chains such as Nando’s, Chiquito and Bella Italia. Charming pubs are also in good supply, with local favourites such as The Fletchers Arms, The White House and The Rising Moon.

As for retail, the town is home to two shopping centres –  The Arcades and Ladysmith Shopping Centre – where you’ll find everything form necessities at Boots to the latest fashions from Next and New Look. For more unusual or diverse purchases, most residents take a quick trip into central Manchester, although Tameside does also boast a large IKEA for those looking to kit out a new properties (and dine on the infamous Swedish meatballs). There’s also a large outdoor market in central Ashton-under-Lyne, open seven days a week with stalls ranging from vintage clothes to fresh farm produce.

Groceries

Asda Superstores in Ashton-under-Lyne and Denton, a Tesco Superstore in Stalybridge and various branches of Sainsburys, Morrisons, Iceland and Aldi throughout the area means Tameside residents with a fondness for home-cooking are well provided for here.

Health & Sport

With nearly 70% of Tameside residents classed as ‘overweight or obese’, it’s evident that leisure and sports facilities in the borough are lacking. However, a number of major gym chains can be found in the area, including a PureGym in Denton and another in Ashton-under-Lyne, while for those seeking more outdoors pursuits there are numerous golf clubs scattered throughout Tameside.

Culture

Cultural life in Tameside is largely centred around Ashton-under-Lyne, where a number of interesting museums can be found for those seeking a historically-themed day out, including the Portland Basin Museum and the Museum of the Manchester Regiment. Meanwhile for art lovers, the Central Art Gallery and the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery in Staybridge offers a mix of permentant and temporary exhibitions, whilst film fans can enjoy blockbusters at the Cineworld Cinema.

“Schools in Tameside have undergone huge improvements over the last decade following a multi-million pound investments, and the borough was listed as one of the most improved areas for GCSE results in 2015”

Schools and Education

Schools in Tameside have undergone huge improvements over the last decade following a multi-million pound investments, and the borough was listed as one of the most improved areas for GCSE results in 2015. Good secondary schools in the area include Fairfield High For Girls, Audenshaw School Academy Trust, and St Damian’s RC Science College, which was voted the ‘Most Inspirational School’ in 2016 due to its innovative teaching methods. For younger children, St Mary’s RC Primary School, St Mary’s CofE Primary School and Milton St John’s CofE Primary School are among the best primary schools in Tameside with 100% of pupils achieving expected levels in English and Maths.

Safety

Tameside has an average crime rate of 84 crimes per 1000 people as of 2017, although crime varies hugely throughout the area. North of Ashton-under-Lyne, Hyde, Staybridge and Reddish saw significantly more crimes than areas such as Mossley and Woodley.

Green Space

While Tameside itself does not offer that many notable green spaces, aside from Cheetham Park in Stalybridge and the charming Daisy Nook Country Park near Ashton-under-Lyme, the north-west corner of this borough offers direct access to the beautiful Peak District National Park. Just a 20 minute drive from Ashton-under-Lyne, this vast national park covers 555 square miles of open hills and countryside, ideal for Tameside residents looking to get back to nature.

Popular links in Tameside