September 23 2024
Manchester is the place to be. It’s famous for being the world’s first industrialised city and its thriving arts and culture scene has given rise to artists like The Smiths, The 1975 and L.S. Lowry. Whether you’re coming for the rich history or to bag a spot at the University of Manchester, you’re probably wondering about the practicalities of moving to Manchester.
In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of where to live in Manchester and give you some top tips on packing and storing your valuables.
Key Points
- Flexible short and long-term storage
- Store at Manchester Central and Worsley
- Ideal for homeowners, students and business owners
- 24/7 CCTV monitoring
- Add our comprehensive Contents Protection Plan
- Try our size estimator
- Prices start from £5.50* per week
*Correct as of July 2026 and based on locker space, prices depend on sizing, availability and location.
Who Is This Guide for?
According to the Office for National Statistics, around 60,000 people move to Manchester each year. A large portion of those people are students, but there are also plenty of homeowners and renters who move to Manchester to experience one of the most vibrant cities in the UK.
There’s another group of people we haven’t mentioned yet: business owners. Manchester is an industrial hub: it often ranks as one of the top cities in the UK for startups outside of London. Living in Manchester is a great way to network across industries. You’ve got Media City in Salford Quays, the financial district in Spinningfields and excellent transport links to Manchester Airport. Find out how Manchester e-commerce sellers use self storage to scale.
Ultimately, this guide is for people who want practical tips on making the move. So, whether you’re a student starting university or a homeowner hoping to set down roots, keep reading.
Where to Live in Manchester
There’s somewhere for everyone in Manchester.
Where to Live in Manchester for Students
When students are deciding where to live in Manchester, they typically gravitate to a few areas.
First-year students stay in university halls. University of Manchester halls are grouped into what the university calls villages. The largest student village is in Fallowfield, the closest is on Oxford Road and the other is in Victoria Park. In most cases, these gated communities have an on-site security manager.
After their first year, students are expected to find their own accommodation. There are a few dedicated student letting companies in Manchester, like Students Cribs and Unite Students. They are dotted all over Manchester, so where you stay depends on how much you want to spend.
Where to Live in Manchester in the City Centre
Manchester City Centre is divided into a handful of neighbourhoods and quarters.
- Northern Quarter: One of Manchester’s most popular and vibrant neighbourhoods, the Northern Quarter is full of brunch spots, arty shops and things to do
- Green Quarter: Located behind Victoria Station and the AO Arena, the Green Quarter is a mainly residential area that offers a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. And it’s a 10-minute walk from the centre
- Medieval Quarter: Also known as the Cathedral Quarter, this area offers a combination of modern amenities and historical interest. If you live here, you’ll have the Arndale shopping centre at your doorstep
- Deansgate: A mile-long road full of iconic Mancunian architecture, including Beetham Tower. Again, this area is very central, with shops, restaurants and art exhibits galore
- Spinningfields: Known as the financial district, Spinningfields is full of skyscrapers and fancy dining spots like Tattu and Fenix. It’s sometimes referred to as the Canary Wharf of the North, and the rent prices reflect that
- The Gay Village: Manchester’s iconic LGBTQ+ space is a great place to live, provided you don’t mind a bit of noise.
- Chinatown: Authentic Chinese cuisine, bubble tea shops and fun trinket trails await in Manchester’s Chinatown.
When you live in the centre of Manchester, you have to think about parking spots and storage. Most of the really central flats and houses in Manchester don’t come with a parking spot, so you’ll have to pay out of pocket to store your car in an NCP, CitiPark or APCOA.
And there aren’t many houses in the centre of Manchester. Flats tend to have less storage, meaning you might not have room to store all your valuables. That’s where self storage comes in.
Lots of people in Manchester turn to self storage when they want to protect their furniture, books, family heirlooms and more. Students also use self storage between term times or to simply keep their personal items close by.
Where to Live in Manchester for Families
If your family is wondering where to live in Manchester, you might want to explore some of the boroughs outside of the city centre.
- Trafford: Green spaces, good schools and entertainment abound in Trafford. It’s home to all sorts of fun activities like Zip World Manchester, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and, of course, the Trafford Centre. Perfect for families who want to make the most out of their weekends
- Stockport: In the last ten years, Stockport has undergone a massive rejuvenation. The centre is full of shops, libraries and good food spots. It’s even been named the best place to live in the North West by The Sunday Times due to its top-rated schools and excellent transport links. There’s no better endorsement than that
- Chorlton: This suburb is so lively and energetic that it feels like a smaller Manchester. It’s full of authentic cuisine from around the world and loads of couples flock here to start families
You’ve Decided to Move to Manchester – Now What?
Now that you’ve worked out the specifics of where to live in Manchester, you’ve got to think about the practical steps that will make your dream a reality.
Moving day is the biggest obstacle. Moving day is one of the most stressful days in a person’s life, and a big part of the stress is having too much stuff.
Whether you’re a homeowner whose chain has collapsed or a student who needs to fit all their stuff in a tiny bedroom, self storage is the way to go.
What Is Self Storage?
Self storage acts as a stopgap for your stuff. When you store with us, you get an individual unit that only you can access. You can store most of the things found in a typical house, as long as it’s not on our no-go list.
New to self storage? Read our complete guide to self storage in Manchester for a full overview.
Benefits of Self Storage
- Flexible short and long-term storage
- 24/7 CCTV at all Ready Steady Store facilities
- Self storage units range from 9 to 300 sq ft
- App-controlled access
- Manchester Central and Worsley locations
- Find out exactly how secure our Manchester facilities are
How Much Does Self Storage Cost in Manchester?
The easiest way to find out how much a self storage unit costs is to get a free quote on our website.
Units are priced depending on things like the size of the unit. It’s difficult to say how much your unit will cost without knowing how much you need to store.
One thing to bear in mind is that seasonal demand can have an impact. Stores like Manchester Central often have high seasonal demand. So, if you’re a student at Manchester University, you might want to drive a few minutes extra to store your stuff at Worsley.
For a full breakdown of what affects the price, read our complete guide to Manchester self storage costs.
Self Storage Unit Size Estimator
Not sure how much space you’ll need? No problem. Use our size estimator to eliminate the guesswork and find out which unit suits your needs.
Storage Unit Size Guide
Quick Reference
9–15
sq ft
Small Storage Unit
Secure storage for documents, boxes and smaller items you need to access occasionally.
25
sq ft
Studio / Small 1-bed
Conveniently fits the contents of a studio or small 1-bedroom flat, without bulky furniture.
⭐ Most popular
50
sq ft
1–2 Bedroom Flat
Reliably fits a sofa, double bed, wardrobe and around 20 boxes - our most-booked size.
75
sq ft
2–3 Bedroom House
Accessible storage for most contents of a family home, including larger furniture pieces.
100
sq ft
3–4 Bedroom House
Friendly, flexible storage for larger homes - white goods, garden furniture and full room sets.
Helpful tip: Most of our storage units are at least 8ft high - stack your items and furniture to make the most of the height and keep your costs down.
Tips for Packing for Self Storage
If you’re packing your stuff for a self storage facility, you might want to think about vertical space. It’s a good idea to pack your valuables into solid, sturdy boxes that can be stacked on top of each other. You can buy strong boxes from our Box Shop.
But before you pack things away, make sure that fragile items like vases and mirrors are covered in bubble wrap.
Another thing to consider is how long your furniture will stay in storage. If you’re planning to leave a fabric sofa for a year or so, you should take extra precautions to protect it. Fabric couches should be cleaned to remove moisture and prevent mould growth over time.
Contents Protection
When storing your belongings, you need contents insurance in place either our own plan or your own home insurance policy. We’ve created a dedicated Contents Protection Plan that’s specifically designed to cover goods in self storage, so you don’t have to worry about gaps in your cover.
You can use your own home insurance instead, but it’s worth checking your policy carefully as most home insurance plans don’t cover goods held overnight in a self storage facility. If you do go down this route, you’ll need to provide us with a signed letter from your insurance provider.
When you’re booking your unit, just tell a team member that you’d like to add our Contents Protection Plan to your booking.
Self Storage Locations in Manchester
We have two self storage facilities in Manchester.
Manchester Central Self Storage
Location: Willerby Rd, Manchester M8 9YG
Google Maps: Ready Steady Store Manchester Central
what3words: ///arena.radio.poker
If you live in Manchester city centre, our Manchester Central store is practically on your doorstep. It’s connected to lots of transport links and is just a 15-minute drive from Manchester University.
Manchester Central is conveniently located:
- A 5-minute drive from Victoria Train Station
- A 10-minute drive from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station
- A 15-minute drive from Manchester University
Worsley Self Storage
Location: 30 Shield Drive, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2QB
Google Maps: Ready Steady Store Worsley
what3words location: ///wage.call.wallet
Worsley is on the outskirts of Manchester, making it ideal for people who have settled down in some of the boroughs we mentioned earlier.
Not sure which location to choose? There are pros and cons of choosing the city centre vs the outskirts of Manchester.
Worsley is conveniently located:
- A 20-minute drive from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station
- A 25-minute drive from Victoria Train Station
- A 25-minute drive from Manchester University
Why Choose Ready Steady Store in Manchester?
Ready Steady Store is the go-to option for homeowners, students and business owners who want to store their valuables in Manchester.
We’re Platinum Rated for customer service on Feefo because we’ve thought of everything. Our security measures, Contents Protection Plan and tailored support allow you to get the unit you need as quickly as possible.
We’ve also partnered with Enterprise van hire to make move-ins easier giving you access to flexible, discounted van hire alongside your storage unit.
Expert View
“Moving is one of the most stressful parts of a person’s life. Self storage facilities take some of the stress away by providing a simple, secure and seamless service. For many people, self storage is a great way to bridge the gap between big life changes.
Darren Nightingale, Area Manager at Ready Steady Store Manchester Central
Ready Steady Store makes the transition easy. Homeowners, renters, and students can use our size estimator tool to book the perfect unit for them. It’s also easy to add on our existing Contents Protection Plan, which covers everything to do with self storage.”
Frequently Asked Moving to Manchester Questions
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Manchester?
It all depends on where you live. Deansgate is one of the most expensive places to rent in Manchester, with a two-bedroom flat costing approximately £1,538 to £1,750 per month. On the other end of the spectrum, you can rent a two-bedroom flat in Moston or Openshaw from around £800 per month.
Source: Zoopla and Rightmove, July 2026.
What’s the nicest part of Manchester to live in?
If you’re wondering where to live in Manchester, you’re probably thinking about things like greenery, schools and nice restaurants.
The truth is that it all depends on your preferences. If you want top-rated schools above all else, you’ll find them in Trafford. This Manchester borough has the highest concentration of ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted-rated schools, including grammar schools.
For greenery, we recommend Wigan. It’s a bit further out than the other options, but it’s frequently cited as the greenest urban borough in the UK, with an estimated 65% to 75% of the total area being open land.
If you’ve got your heart set on gourmet dining, there’s nowhere better than Manchester City Centre. You can find authentic cuisine from every culture and a local favourite on every corner.
Where can I store my belongings when moving to Manchester?
Ready Steady Store has two self storage facilities in Manchester – Manchester Central and Worsley. Both offer flexible short and long-term storage with no long-term commitment, 24/7 CCTV monitoring and units from 9 to 300 sq ft. Use our size estimator to find the right unit, or get an instant quote to get started.
What’s the shortest amount of time I can book a self storage unit for?
We can’t speak for any other self storage company, but we can tell you that our minimum short-stay contracts are four weeks long.
Can I store anything in self storage?
You can store most things found in a typical house with us.
But there are a few things we won’t accept, including:
- Hazardous and toxic materials: oils, fireworks, biological waste and more
- Radioactive materials
- Live plants
For a better idea of what we will and won’t store, give our Customer Service Team a call on 0800 321 3211.
Find Self Storage in Manchester
Whether you’re moving to Manchester for the first time or looking for flexible storage between homes, Ready Steady Store is here to help.
With locations at Manchester Central and Worsley, flexible short and long-term storage options, and units from 9 to 300 sq ft, getting started is straightforward.
Use our size estimator to find the right fit or get an instant online quote today.
