Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Competition
Win £500 home security system
Click here for details
A shower in the a.m.News
| 
Submit Comments
Watch video (1 clips)
THE planned BBC move north is mentioned in the report which rates Salford one of the best places to live in Britain
advertisement
Salford: The fifth best place in the UK
6/ 9/2007
MOST Salfordians already know it but now the city has officially been rated one of the best places to live in Britain.
Affordable housing, upmarket shops and restaurants, high performing schools and entertainment and cultural activities were all factors in helping Salford achieve fifth place in The Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) Affordable Affluence Index.
Researchers compared average house prices with average household income to come up with the list and analysed positive indicators alongside negative factors such as fast food restaurants and betting shops to give each location an overall score for amenities.
The overall house price worked out at around £146,000 with the average household earning £34,000.
Those who put the report together say it reveals the top 20 places where you can live a champagne lifestyle on a cava budget. Beverley, a market town in the East Riding of Yorkshire, took the top spot, followed by Maidstone, Chester and Perth.
The report states: "This study, which uses a specially created data aggregation model, has identified Salford as one of Britain's top hotspots for anyone who wants to achieve the good life without breaking the bank.
"Salford is perhaps a less anticipated top five entry in the index, but with a phenomenal programme of investment, and its proximity to Old Trafford, the area has been much rejuvenated in recent years. Fantastic shopping locations and the waterfront redevelopment make Salford a desirable place to live."
The report quotes Swinton businesswoman Sarah Horsfield, who owns her own design and print company, Acanthus.
She said: "I have lived in Salford for 11 years. I own my own company and one of the reasons I chose to live here is because of the availability of affordable housing and commercial premises.
"Also, Salford is about 10 minutes from Manchester, so we have all the benefits of a big city on our doorstep. Since moving here, there has been lots of regeneration and the area is attracting a lot of big corporations such as the BBC. This is great news."
Worsley councillor Karen Garrido is pleased with the report but fears the city's houses are not as affordable as it suggests.
She said: "I'm delighted to see we are fifth, now we need to work a bit harder to get to first.
"I think Salford is an excellent place to live. I think the biggest problem is that a lot of the old terraced properties have been knocked down and apartments built that are not really affordable for the first time buyers from Salford."
Langworthy councillor Gina Loveday says work is being done to improve opportunities for residents.
She said: "We are doing a lot of work with the first time buyer's initiative to make housing affordable.
"Crime is levelling off, schools are improving and with the BBC moving to the Quays there are more opportunities for local people."
Click on the video link for Channel M's report ...
Most recent 2 of 4 user comments
12/09/2007 at 18:07
Got an opinion you want to share?Should less emphasis be placed on the results of tests and more emphasis on general education for children?
| Card | BT Fee |
| Virgin Credit Card | 2.98% |
| Egg Card | 3.0% |
| Barclaycard Platinum | 2.9% |
| Barclaycard OnePulse For London | 2.9% |
| Lloyds TSB Platinum MasterCard | 3.0% |
| Company | Typical APR |
| FirstPlus Exclusive Rate | 6.6% |
| Moneyback Bank | 7.2% |
| Barclaycard Personal Loan | 7.3% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 7.7% |
| Halifax (Semi-exclusive) | 7.8% |
| Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) | 7.8% |
| Barclays | 7.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
6.16% |
|
BRADFORD & BINGLEY Internet Saver 2 |
6.00% |
|
ICESAVE Easy Access Account |
6.05% |
|
PRINCIPALITY BS e-SAVER |
5.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS BANK internet saver |
5.50% |
11/10/2007 at 19:53