You are in > manchester.com  > News > Report: Northern neighbours friendlier than southerners

Manchester property news

Report: Northern neighbours friendlier than southerners

23/04/2008

Homebuyers on the move may find they are better off coming to Greater Manchester than anywhere in the south, especially if they value community relations.

According to a new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research, neighbours in Greater Manchester are friendlier than they are in London.

In fact, people in Manchester see and speak to their neighbours more than those in London and the south-east.

Furthermore, about 42 per cent of people in the south-east and the south-west visit family members once a week. The figure rises to 57 per cent in the north-west.

"Strong social support networks are an asset to the north," said report author Katie Schmuecker.

"As efforts to develop the region's economy continue, it is important that steps are taken to preserve the positive aspects of the region's strong communities."

Last October, a poll for Channel 4's Location, Location, Location named the city of Manchester as the 17th worst place to live in Britain largely because it has the fifth-lowest life expectancy in the country.

The good news is that the ranking was an improvement on 2006's position of tenth place.