Altrincham’s proximity to quality schools, low to medium crime rate, and transport links to Manchester make it the best place to raise a family in England, according to brokerage Bell Financial Solutions. The city has a £400,000 median sold price, while you can commute in under 30 minutes via tram or train. Didsbury and Bramhall made up the rest of the top three, but were marked down due to a slightly higher crime rate in the former and expensive house prices in the latter. Price will always be a sticking point, but don’t just look at the value of the home you’re trying to buy. It’s just as important to look at the wider area to understand long-term value and how the community is developing.