The Manchester neighbourhood named one of the coolest places to live in the UK – and it’s not Ancoats

If you thought Ancoats is the coolest place to live in Manchester, think again. Because it’s not. At least not according to the Sunday Times.

“Forget the Northern Quarter, Spinningfields and definitely Deansgate,” says a survey of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK published in last week’s newspaper. “The Green Quarter or GQ is the latest word-of-mouth hotspot.”

In case you’re not familiar with the Green Quarter, it’s a relatively new district on the northern edge of the city centre, just a short walk from Victoria station.

Twenty years ago it didn’t even exist. It was a run down area between Cheetham Hill Road and Redbank, a short walk from the city centre.

Then the developers moved in and built a number of residential apartment blocks around a public garden that features landscaped lawns, tree-lined walkways, fountains and an impressive free-flowing watercourse.

Because of its proximity to the city centre, it’s popular with young professionals who work in the city centre but don’t want the hassle of commuting.

And it’s soon to be the home of The Hallmark Tower, scheduled for completion next summer.

The Green Quarter also includes the Peninsula office development and the ten storey Radisson Hotel.

But what gives it its unique character are the railway arches which are home to lots of thriving small businesses like Manchester Three Rivers gin and Fighting Fit gym.

“If this clutch of tower blocks surrounding some green space and a fountain has a soul, it’s to be found in a kind of inner-city European vibe that chimes well with the under-30s, who keep their bicycles on the balconies, along with a pot plant or two,” says the Sunday Times. “It’s the ideal urban oasis and it’s cheap”.

A one bed apartment will cost you around £140k to buy and £700pcm to rent, a two bed around £200k to buy and £875 to rent.