Between the built up cities of Manchester and Liverpool lies Greater Manchester's most affordable borough - Wigan. According to latest figures from the HM Land Registry, the Wigan town of Platt Bridge is cheapest place to buy a home in the entire region, where a typical property costs you just £119,337.
House prices in the town have always been 'relatively cheap' and Jack Sharpe, director of local estate agents T Fazakerley & Son, says this is the biggest driver that pulls people to move to - and stay - in the area. The cheap and cheerful property price tags have even attracted people to relocate from as far as London, where the standard price of a home is incomparable at £689,544.
Despite the low cost to put a roof over your head, life in the town hasn't always been plain sailing as residents often say they have to stand up against its bad reputation.
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"I've lived here virtually all my life, and I honestly don't think I'd wish to live anywhere else," local Russell Robie said. "Me and my friends were children of the 1970s, we played out in all weathers and felt safe wherever we went. I have the fondest memories of Platt Bridge.
"It has had its rough side as long as I've lived here, but you can get a three-bed semi-detached on our estate for £125,000 upwards, and the houses are constantly snapped up so it can't be all that bad."
Terraced homes are the most common type of property, which sold for an average price of £106,344 over the last year.
There are three schools in the area - Platt Bridge Community School, Holy Family Catholic Primary School and Newbridge special education school - making it a popular choice for families.
"It's always been popular with families due to the good selection of schools, but it is also popular with first time buyers and downsizers," Russell said.
"You are literally five mins away from some beautiful nature reserves too, the Wigan Flashes and Low Hall to name two.
"A lot of people who move here tend to stay, there is a lot of community spirit. There are always going to people who drag the place down, but they never leave."
Platt Bridge has a range of shops, many of which are independent, as well as supermarkets Iceland and Co-Op, discount store Home Bargains, but there's only one pub - Owd Kess's.
It sits just two miles away from Wigan town centre and is surrounded by the Leeds and Liverpool canal which runs along the border of Bamfurlong and Platt Bridge.
Guy Lambert moved to Platt Bridge from London more than four years ago and says it is the 'best place' he has ever lived.
"The cost of living become ridiculously expensive in London, and there was no way I would ever be able to afford my own home or have any great quality of life," said Guy, who bought his home in Platt Bridge for 'much less' than the average house price today.
"I thought I could get work up here, so took the plunge. I bought I house which I only planned on treating as an investment, but soon grew to love it and the area, especially during the lockdowns being surrounded by some beautiful countryside and canal walks.
"I’ve lived all over London so I'm used to what some might consider the bad points about the place, and although we have some noise issues they don’t really affect me. I really like the people: they’re always up for a laugh and a chat. "
Tracey Lay is another resident who moved to Platt Bridge all the way from London along with her family 15-years-ago because of the affordable house prices.
"I was renting in Platt Bridge but I am now in the process of buying a house here. My auntie, uncle and cousins have also brought a house in Platt Bridge," she said.
"There are good bits and bad bits, some parts are pretty rough but where I live at the moment it’s lovely, there are a lot of detached houses and it’s pretty quiet.
"There are thefts and you often see youngsters on road bikes and quads but it's definitely no worse than where I was in London.
"There are a lot of open spaces and nature around and they are building more new properties so personally I think the area will get better and better.
"I think the native Wiganers know it as a bad area but most outsiders seem to be happy living here."
A first-time buyer who was previously renting in Urmston, Trafford bought her first home in the Wigan town two years ago for a bargain price of £100,000.
"You can imagine Wigan is a fraction of the price of Trafford. We were originally looking in the Atherton area but it was really difficult to find a house with everything we wanted in our price range so we drove around the Wigan area and found Platt Bridge," she said.
"We bought it for 100,000 as it needed a bit doing to it. We had no idea of the reputation of the area but it was definitely a good move for us as we live in a nice little street and our neighbours are all fab.
"We have actually really settled in we’ve never had any trouble despite some of the crimes we’ve seen reported. We were a little worried coming from Urmston and bringing the children over this way but it’s probably been the best move we have made.
"The kids are doing great in the schools they are in and have a really nice set of friends. My eldest was really struggling at her last school and is currently sitting her GCSE’s and is predicted 8/9s."
Most residents said that like most areas, Platt Bridge has both good and bad points, and you just have to 'take the rough with the smooth''.
"I moved here for the cheaper house prices 8 years ago, I was absolutely dreading it because of its reputation but where I live I've had no trouble," Lisa said.
"I'm in the middle of two nature reserves and have lovely neighbours, what more can you ask for?".
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