There are many aspects that impact on the housing market and the commute to and from work is going to be a big element for people to consider. You only have to look at some of the areas surrounding London and how they have benefitted from being seen as a commuter area to know that the time it takes to get to and from work is important for people. This is why news that the average length of time it takes for people to commute to work in Greater Manchester has increased isn’t great news for many people.

This information has been provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and they have looked at the average travel times for employees in many areas. There is bad news for people in Bury as their average time to get to work has risen by 36% which is one of the largest increases seen in the UK. This time rose from 25 minutes to 34 minutes, which may not seem like a long journey but given that the journey should be a relatively short one, a rise like this will be noticeable.

Stockport employees are not overly affected

In Oldham, there was a 20% rise, with the average time jumping from 25 minutes to half an hour. There was a minor increase in Manchester itself, rising by one minute, so this may not make much of a difference to the average commuter. At Spencer Harvey, we are Stockport based estate agents and it is fair to say that we have an interest in the local community. With a 7% rise in Stockport, there isn’t to much of a change for people to contend with, but the study indicates that there is something a but different for Stockport residents.

Stockport, alongside Trafford, stands apart from the rest of Greater Manchester due to the fact that commuters are more likely to walk to work. In all of the other areas of Manchester, it is more likely that people will drive to work or use public transport like trains, bus, trams or coaches. There may be many reasons why Stockport people prefer to walk, such as a shorter distance, fewer transport options for where they need to go to, a desire to lead a healthy lifestyle or perhaps even just a desire to save money.

Walking to and from work is of benefit for many people

The time to commute is important but the cost of commuting is also a factor that many people consider, and by walking to and from work, Stockport residents may be using their money in a more effective manner. This may not be the number one reason to move to Stockport but the fact that many people find employment at close quarters and can save money or be healthier by waling to work is something that appeals to some people.

We’re excited to see the changes that will occur in the local area. If you would like to talk more about Stockport property options, you will find that we are the local experts you can rely on.  You can give Spencer Harvey a call on 0161 480 8888 or send us an email at info@spencerharvey.co.uk. For a free valuation please visit: https://www.spencerharvey.co.uk/valuation-enquiry.html