Why Hulme deserves a closer look
Hulme sits just south of Manchester city centre, across the River Medlock. It’s close enough to walk into town, yet it has more green space and a stronger neighbourhood feel than the busy central postcodes.
Few Manchester districts have changed as much. In the 1960s, much of old Hulme was cleared and replaced by the Hulme Crescents, four huge deck-access blocks built to house around 13,000 people. Within a decade they were declared unfit for purpose. They came down in the early 1990s and gave way to low-rise homes, new streets and parks.
The result is a mixed, well-connected neighbourhood that draws students, healthcare workers and young professionals. Whether you’re looking for your next rental or thinking about letting a property in M15, here’s what you need to know.
Getting around
Location is Hulme’s biggest selling point. Most of the area is within walking or cycling distance of the city centre and the university campuses on Oxford Road.
- On foot: the city centre, the universities and the hospitals around Oxford Road are all within easy walking distance of most Hulme streets.
- Bus: frequent services, including the 250, 256 and 263, link Stretford Road and Hulme Park with Piccadilly Gardens and Oxford Road station. The 720 runs from Cornbrook through Hulme to Moss Side and beyond.
- Tram: Hulme doesn’t have a Metrolink stop in its centre. Deansgate-Castlefield is about a 15-minute walk from Stretford Road, and Cornbrook sits on the area’s western edge.
- Rail: Oxford Road and Deansgate stations are both close by, with Piccadilly a short bus ride away.
- Road: the Mancunian Way and Princess Road give quick access to the M60 and routes south.
The 1997 Hulme Arch Bridge reconnected Stretford Road over Princess Road. It’s now the area’s best-known landmark and a symbol of its regeneration.
What this means for you: tenants can often manage without a car, which makes Hulme appealing to students and hospital staff on shift patterns. For landlords, homes near Stretford Road and the main bus routes can appeal to a wide pool of tenants.
Homes and rents in Hulme
Hulme’s housing is younger than most inner Manchester districts, because so much was rebuilt after the Crescents came down. You’ll find:
- 1990s and 2000s low-rise homes: terraced houses and small blocks of flats, many with gardens, built during the regeneration.
- Modern apartments: newer developments near the city centre edge, including Sky Gardens on Spinners Way, where Hunters Manchester currently lists a two-bedroom flat at £1,225 per month.
- Character conversions: the former churches of St George’s on Chester Road and St Mary’s on Chichester Road have both been turned into apartments.
- Student accommodation: Manchester Metropolitan University’s Birley Fields campus includes halls on Stretford Road.
What rents look like
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) puts the average private rent across Manchester at £1,373 a month in August 2026, up 4.2% on a year earlier. Two-bedroom homes averaged £1,233, and flats and maisonettes £1,147.
These are citywide figures, not Hulme quotes. Rents on individual streets can differ a lot depending on condition, furnishing and service charges. Before setting or agreeing on a rent, check current listings for similar homes on Rightmove or Zoopla, or ask for a free lettings valuation.
A note for landlords on shared homes
Manchester City Council requires planning permission to turn a family home into a small house in multiple occupation (HMO) for three to six unrelated people. This rule, known as an Article 4 Direction, applies across the whole city, including Hulme. Check licensing by exact address too, as some Manchester neighbourhoods also have selective licensing schemes.
Schools, parks and local life
Green space
Green space was built into Hulme’s regeneration from the start. Hulme Park covers 29 acres and opened in 2000, while St George’s Park sits in the north-west of the area. Hulme Park is also home to Temple 2000, a sculpture based on a Rolls-Royce radiator grille. It marks the spot where Henry Royce built his first cars.
Hulme Community Garden Centre on Old Birley Street is a not-for-profit garden with a café, a public garden and a pond. The Bridgewater Canal also runs through the area, giving you a towpath route towards Castlefield.
Culture and everyday shopping
Hulme has a creative streak that goes back decades. Z-arts, the children’s arts centre on Stretford Road, sits opposite Hulme Park in a former church. The Grade II listed Hulme Hippodrome still stands, although it’s currently closed, and a local campaign is working to save it.
For day-to-day shopping, the Hulme High Street retail park includes an Asda supermarket. The city centre’s shops, bars and restaurants are a short walk or bus ride away.
Schools and colleges
Families have several local options within M15. These include:
- Rolls Crescent Primary School, St Wilfrid’s RC Primary School and St Philip’s Church of England Primary School, each rated Good by Ofsted at their latest inspection
- Martenscroft Nursery School and Children’s Centre on Epping Street, rated Outstanding
- Trinity Church of England High School on Higher Cambridge Street, rated Good in November 2023
- Loreto College on Chichester Road for sixth form study
Manchester Metropolitan University’s Birley Fields campus is in Hulme too. The University of Manchester’s main campus on Oxford Road is on the area’s eastern edge.
Who Hulme suits
Hulme’s mix of homes and its central location mean it works for several types of renter:
- Students and postgraduates who want to be close to both universities
- Healthcare workers based at the hospitals around Oxford Road
- Young professionals who want quick access to the city centre, with a bit more space and greenery
- Families looking for houses with gardens, local primary schools and parks
If you like Hulme but want something more central, the branch also lets homes across Manchester city centre and neighbouring Old Trafford.
Renting or letting in Hulme with Hunters Manchester
Hunters Manchester is a lettings and property management specialist that covers Hulme, the city centre and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The team, led by Lettings Manager James Woolley, handles everything from finding a tenant to full management with in-house maintenance.
If you’re a landlord, you can choose from tenant find only, rent collection or a fully managed service. Every managed property is run in line with the Renters’ Rights Act, including the rules on periodic tenancies, rent increases and pet requests.
If you’re a tenant, you can browse the branch’s latest homes to rent and register for new listings.
Take the next step
If you’re a landlord in Hulme and would like to understand what your property could achieve in the current rental market, book a free lettings valuation with Hunters Manchester. The local team can provide guidance on rental value, tenant demand and the right approach for your property.
If you’d prefer to discuss your property, letting plans or management options with the team first, contact Hunters Manchester. Whether you’re preparing to let a property or looking for support with an existing tenancy, the team can talk you through the options available.
