It might be time to rethink the old adage 'It’s grim up north’.Indeed, Manchester, in particular, is currently one of the fastest-growing economies in the UK. It boasts an annual growth rate of 3.1 per cent – more than double the rate of the country as a whole.But beyond its recent economic success, the city has also become a major focus for national politics, too, thanks to the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s unflinching push to decentralise government. Only last week, he revealed that his newly minted No10 North will take over responsibility for economic growth from the Treasury as part of a ‘huge transfer of power’ out of Whitehall.It remains to be seen whether this is pure political gimmickry. What’s clear, however, is that this focus on the North is creating a buzz for the property market. Once seen as simply a cheaper alternative to the South, it is now becoming a desirable location in its own right.Since the coronation of our Mr Burnham, buyer demand has reportedly risen in northern England, while Rightmove says asking prices have increased by 1.5 per cent year-on-year in August, compared with a 1.8 per cent fall in the South.‘Manchester’s continued economic expansion and the Government’s “No10 up north” agenda are accelerating demand across the wider region, and we’re seeing buyers look beyond the city for better value and long-term growth potential,’ Claire Jarvis, managing director at David Wilson Homes North West, told Property Mail.So, if you fancy living in a place where your money goes further, the people are friendlier and the investment potential is strong, where should you buy?1. Wigan, Greater Manchester Last year, Wigan topped a study looking at the best place to live in the UK, based on cost of living, crime rates, healthcare access and air qualityHome to George Formby and Andy Burnham’s Makerfield constituency, Wigan is clearly on the up – yet still very good value for money.Lloyds Banking Group reported house prices in Wigan increased by 10.5 per cent in 2025, with the town named a property hotspot for 2026 by Zoopla.Around 18 miles from Manchester city centre, the average Wigan home cost just £196,000 in June, highlighting the area as one of the more affordable property markets in England.Last year, Wigan topped a study looking at the best place to live in the UK, based on cost of living, crime rates, healthcare access and air quality. It was also named the most affordable city to live in to attend the best schools in England.And despite its industrial heritage, Wigan is one of the greenest urban areas in Britain – with around two-thirds given over to open land, parks and natural habitats. Plus, close to the M6, this northern hotspot also has easy access to the Midlands.BUY IT: A four-bed, detached family home on Hartley Way, Billinge, is available from £485,000, and features an open-plan kitchen, detached garage and generous lounge space (stapletonderby.co.uk).2. Chorley, Lancashire The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through Chorley. The market town, which sits roughly halfway between Manchester and Preston, is already a prime commuter hotspotNow may well be the time to buy in this historic Lancashire market town, famous for its eponymous cakes made with shortcrust pastry and currants.Named by The Times last year as one of the best places to live in the UK, Chorley, which sits roughly halfway between Manchester and Preston, is already a prime commuter hotspot. The town centre is undergoing a major transformation, with a £44million regeneration programme. The rolling countryside of Rivington and the West Pennine Moors are close by.While prices are still reasonable, they are clearly on the rise; the average house in Chorley sold for £213,000 in June this year, up 3.7 per cent from June 2025. Indeed, 88 per cent of homes in Chorley increased in value last year, according to Zoopla.BUY IT: Nestled in a peaceful cul-de-sac, a five-bedroom property in Millwood Glade is available with Purple Bricks from £527,000 (purplebricks.co.uk).3. Old Trafford, Greater Manchester Terraced homes and apartments make up most of the Old Trafford market, with terraced properties averaging around £292,458Traditionally associated with Manchester United football club and Lancashire Cricket Club, this Mancunian suburb is definitely on the up, according to Toby Brown, regional director of sales (North) at Latimer Homes.‘The arrival of No10 North could provide a fresh catalyst for Manchester’s property market, with the new civil service hub bringing jobs, investment and greater demand into the city.‘Areas such as Old Trafford are particularly worth watching, with major regeneration planned around the area including up to 15,000 new homes, significant commercial space and tens of thousands of new jobs.’Terraced homes and apartments make up most of the Old Trafford market, with terraced properties averaging around £292,458 and flats sitting at an average of £163,936.Manchester is a 45-minute walk away, or a quick ride on the Metrolink, so this is the place to enjoy waterside living close to the city centre.BUY IT: An attractive, terraced property with four double bedrooms on Walter Street is available with JP & Brimelow from £425,000. There are excellent primary and secondary schools near by, as well as a Metrolink station (jpandbrimelow.co.uk).4. Rochdale, Greater Manchester Rochdale landed a top spot in a list of England’s best towns, judged by the quality of its architecture, attractions, culture, dining and ‘all-round appeal’Highly affordable and undervalued, this is one of Greater Manchester’s ‘best-kept property secrets’, says Jonathan Stephens, managing director of SmartLandlord. It has excellent transport links into Manchester and property prices that still sit well below those in the city centre.‘Around £400million has been invested so far in the town centre, including the Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure development and the £60million Upperbanks scheme, which has delivered 242 new homes and a hotel.’Rochdale also landed a top spot in a list of England’s best towns, judged by the quality of its architecture, attractions, culture, dining and ‘all-round appeal’.Meanwhile, countryside is close at hand: Hollingworth Lake Country Park and Healey Dell Nature Reserve offer fantastic walking and cycling opportunities for outdoorsy types.BUY IT: A three-bedroom terraced property in Gorsey Bank, Littleborough, is available with Hunters from £189,950 (rightmove.co.uk).5. Preston, Lancashire Preston docks at sunrise. The area is close to both the coast and the stunning Trough of Bowland, a dramatic glacial valley in the Forest of BowlandWithin easy reach of Manchester by road and rail, Preston is another area where buyers looking to settle in the North can secure excellent value, says Claire Jarvis of David Wilson Homes.Close to both the coast and the stunning Trough of Bowland, a dramatic glacial valley in the Forest of Bowland, average property prices range from £195,000 to £236,000. Suburbs such as Fulwood and Penwortham are also popular thanks to good schools, high streets and parks.Ms Jarvis tells Property Mail: ‘Preston is benefiting from substantial investment and regeneration across the city, helping to strengthen its position as one of the North West’s key economic and residential centres.‘Ongoing development is boosting the city’s retail, leisure, cultural and employment offering, while improvements to public spaces, infrastructure and educational facilities are creating a more attractive environment for residents and businesses alike.'BUY IT: A detached historical home with four bedrooms on Broad Oak Lane, Penwortham, is available from £524,950 with Ben Rose, chain-free (ben-rose.co.uk).6. New Brighton, Merseyside New Brighton has been voted one of Britain’s best coastal towns to live in by the Sunday Times. It has a long stretch of sandy beach, with views across the Mersey Estuary toward Liverpool’s famous skylineSitting at the north-eastern tip of the Wirral Peninsula, New Brighton has been voted one of Britain’s best coastal towns to live in by the Sunday Times. This is not least thanks to its vintage shops, the bars and restaurants of the Victoria Quarter and a long stretch of sandy beach. It also has Britain’s longest seaside promenade, with views across the Mersey Estuary toward Liverpool’s famous skyline. It's only a 25-minute train ride to the centre of Liverpool.‘Buyers should prepare to get ahead of the curve, as east Wirral may not remain cheap forever,’ says Will Jones, director of Pantheon Chartered Surveyors. According to Rightmove, house prices in New Brighton have sat at an average of £248,959 over the past year.BUY IT: Built in 1910, a three-bedroom terrace house in Egerton Street, Wallasey, is available from £209,950 with Bakewell & Horner (bakewellhorner.co.uk).7. Stockport, Greater Manchester According to the Office for National Statistics UK House Price Index, the average house price in Stockport was £314,000 in June. Pictured: Marple Bridge by the canalAlmost 16 years ago, Stockport had the highest number of empty shops among large towns in the UK. Now, this Greater Manchester town – seven miles from Manchester city centre – is booming, thanks to a £1billion regeneration scheme which is the largest of its kind in the UK. All of this has earned Stockport the nickname ‘the new Berlin’, thanks to a now-thriving arts, culture and food scene, as well as its revamped historic spaces.And it’s well connected, too: there are rapid 12-minute train links to Manchester Piccadilly, and Stockport also sits on the Manchester-London Avanti West Coast line – meaning the capital, notwithstanding delays, is only a two-hour journey away.According to the Office for National Statistics, the average house price in Stockport was £314,000 in June – a 3.5 per cent increase from the same time last year.BUY IT: A detached, four-bedroom property with two bathrooms in Kedleston Green, with easy access to Stockport train station, is available from £500,000 with eXp (exp.uk.com).8. Warrington, Cheshire Warrington has been ranked one of the best places to raise a family in England – based on childcare costs, school performance, access to green space and low crime ratesBetween Manchester and Liverpool, Warrington is a commuter hotspot with access to the M6, M56 and M62 motorways, an abundance of rail links and both Liverpool and Manchester airports.It has also been ranked one of the best places to raise a family in England – based on childcare costs, school performance, access to green space such as Walton Hall and Gardens and low crime rates.And there’s plenty of economic momentum, too. Earlier this year, it was reported that Warrington’s economy had grown 2.2 times faster than the national average since 2013.Yet despite all that, property prices have remained reasonable. Average prices within a mile of Warrington sit at £292,294 – more than £180,000 below the average UK house price.But you’d better move fast if you spot a property you like. OnTheMarket.com cites Warrington as one of the fastest-moving property markets in England.BUY IT: An end-of-terrace property with no onwards chain on Knutsford Road, Grappenhall, is available from £300,000 with Mark Antony Estates (markantonyestates.com).