Garrington Property Finders has ranked more than 1,400 towns, cities and villages across England and Wales based on a number of criteria, including the culture and heritage, the natural environment, schools and job opportunities.
Its analysis includes an in-depth look at how affordable homes in each area are for families, based on the average cost of a larger house there and how house prices have changed over the last year.
Siz places in the north west of England make Garrington’s top 50 nationally, with one in the top five.
House prices have fallen in some of the places listed but have risen by up to five per cent over the last year in others.
Below are the top 14 places to live in the North West, according to Garrington, in reverse order.
Do you have a house hunting story or tips to share? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at www.yourworld.net/submit. It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
1. Westhoughton - 14th
Westhoughton, near Bolton, is the 14th best place to live in the North West, according to Garrington, and the 100th best across England and Wales as a whole. It ranks 657th out of 1,447 places for house price, quality and value, 334th for heritage and culture, 168th for natural environment, 134th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 948th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there has risen by 6.70 per cent in the last year to £373,640. | Google Photo: Google
2. Cheadle - 13th
Cheadle, Stockport, is the 13th best place to live in the North West, according to Garrington, and the 96th best across England and Wales as a whole. It ranks 55th out of 1,447 places for house price, quality and value, 217th for heritage and culture, 737th for natural environment, 171st for schools, employment and connectivity, and 1,036th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there has fallen by 3.17 per cent in the last year to £525,775. | Google Photo: Google
3. Swinton - 12th
Swinton, Salford, is the 12th best place to live in the North West, according to Garrington, and the 86th best across England and Wales as a whole. It ranks 528th out of 1,447 places for house price, quality and value, 230th for heritage and culture, 575th for natural environment, 103rd for schools, employment and connectivity, and 752nd for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there has risen by 0.31 per cent in the last year to £387,178. | Google Photo: Google
4. Stockport - 11th
Stockport is the 11th best place to live in the North West, according to Garrington, and the 79th best across England and Wales as a whole. It ranks 302nd out of 1,447 places for house price, quality and value, 87th for heritage and culture, 449th for natural environment, 105th for schools, employment and connectivity, and 1,235th for wellbeing. The average price of a family home there has fallen by 1.97 per cent in the last year to £451,338. | Google Photo: Google