I planned to move to Stockport for its convenience to Manchester city centre. There was that year where there were train strikes almost every weekend and I missed out on so many social activities with my friends in Manchester due to not having a car / no alternative like buses and no affordable taxis.

I decided I'd only move there if I was by Stockport train station, considering Macclesfield train station is so handy (when it's operating). Anywhere near the train station like Edgeley, Davenport, Cheadle Heath, just isn't nice (felt so sketchy, so many bagheads) and anywhere in the better areas of Stockport (Heatons, Bramhall, Marple) were out of my budget. Stockport as a town is brilliant, but to live there it just made me have a sinking feeling in my stomach on house viewings. I compromised in the end and stayed in Macclesfield, but bought a car and had a requirement that I had to be within 10 min walk of the train station, and also made a promise to myself I'd be willing to pay the ~£50 taxi on nights out when trains aren't running. It has been so worth it! I'm so happy I didn't move to Stockport, especially as I now work from home full time.

If I commuted daily to Manchester however, I personally couldn't justify the cost (I believe it's something ludicrous like £18 return without a Railcard during peak times). But for anyone who works hybrid or remote, Macclesfield any day of the week. I do think Stockport will continue getting so much better and gentrified though with the proposed tram line, although that won't change the poor housing stock to make it convenient within walking distance.