The Best Areas to live in Oldham (2026)

If you’re considering making the move to Oldham, then you have plenty of areas to choose from. Each location has its own charm and features to accommodate families, commuters, and buyers and renters of all kinds. Known for its strong community feel, Oldham is rich with scenic rural areas and provides easy access to Manchester City Centre. With a rich industrial history and views of the picturesque Pennines, it could be the ideal place for you. 

In this blog, we cover the best areas in Oldham for you to consider, including average house prices to help guide your search within your budget. 

At JonSimon Estate Agents, we have a range of properties in Oldham and the surrounding Greater Manchester areas. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, why not see if we have the perfect home for you? For Oldham, visit or contact us at our Radcliffe Estate Agents , where our friendly team of local estate agents can guide you to your next happy place. 

Affordability in Oldham 

6 of the best areas to live in Oldham

While you might be considering a move to Oldham, you may not know the best areas within the Oldham district. We’re here to help! In this guide, we break down each area to give you an idea of what they have to offer.

Chadderton: Best for suburban families & commuters to Manchester

Chadderton is a family-friendly location with plenty of residential areas and green spaces. A popular attraction is Chadderton Hall Park, which features serene walking routes and a children’s play area, making it a great spot for all the family. Chadderton also has a good selection of primary and secondary schools for your little and larger ones. It’s generally considered to be one of the safest areas in Oldham with a friendly, community feel.

Transport links in Chadderton are great, with bus routes connecting you to other areas of the Oldham district and to Manchester City Centre. If you’re looking to buy a house, the prices in this area are generally affordable, making it a great option for families and commuters. Overall, Chadderton is great for those who want a suburban feel but easy access to the city. Perfect for families, commuters and first-time buyers, this could be the area you’re looking for.

Saddleworth: Best for countryside living & higher budgets

Saddleworth is great for those who love to be active outdoors or for nature lovers in general. It has Dovestone Reservoir, Saddleworth Moor and the Pots and Pans walking trail, making it one of the most scenic and visited areas in Oldham.

Those looking for a rural lifestyle would settle nicely here, and travel to Manchester City Centre is made quick and easy through Greenfield Train Station. Perfect for those who want to embrace countryside living with the option to access the city from time to time. Uppermill is at the heart of Saddleworth, a quaint village with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops. This includes Grandpa Greene’s, famous for its authentic, luxury ice cream. 

Overall, Saddleworth has a very rural feel, but still has access to plenty of activities and amenities. Properties can be on the more expensive side, but the houses are gorgeous and unique due to their countryside setting.

Failsworth: Best for commuting first-time buyers & amenities

Properties in Failsworth tend to be more reasonably priced than some neighbouring areas in Oldham, making it great for first-time buyers or renters. There’s a nice mix of new builds and older Victorian terraces.

Failsworth has plenty of cafes, pubs, and shops, including its own shopping precinct. It has easy access to the Metrolink, meaning Manchester City Centre is close by and a breeze to get to. It’s also home to Daisy Nook Country Park with fantastic waterways and natural habitats for wildlife. 

Overall, Failsworth is one of the best-connected areas in the Oldham district, great for those who want city life nearby or who need to commute. It has affordable properties and plenty to do in the area, from shopping to exploring its green spaces.

Shaw and Crompton: Best for community spaces & young families

In comparison to other areas in Greater Manchester, Shaw and Crompton is a relatively affordable place to live. It boasts lots of community spaces, such as Crompton Library and Playhouse 2 – an intimate theatre run by volunteers. 

Shaw and Crompton has a strong market-town feel and uses this to its advantage by hosting a weekly market. There are plenty of schools to choose from if you’re looking to move your family here.

Overall, Shaw and Crompton still retains its market-town vibe while having direct access to urban areas. It has a good amount of green spaces to offer while being one of the closest areas in Oldham to Manchester City Centre. 

Royton: Best for quiet residential living & settling down

Royton is a quieter part of Oldham with lovely housing estates and residential areas. Perfect for those who want to escape the buzz of the city but have it close by to visit from time to time. There’s access to Royton Leisure Centre for the fitness fanatics, and Royton Park for the nature lovers.

The house prices in Royton are generally affordable, ranging in the middle ground compared with other areas in Oldham. There’s a mixture of housing styles in the area to choose from, from new builds to older terraced houses.

Overall, Royton is great for families looking for a quieter, suburban area with quality schools to choose from. Its calm environment gives it a safe, residential feel, which can be appealing to those wanting to settle down.

Delph: Best for quaint village living & outdoorsy people

Delph is known for its picturesque, quaint village atmosphere, making it a popular area in Oldham for people who want a scenic landscape. It’s small in size, giving it a tight-knit community feel, which makes residents feel safe and secure.

The houses have quite a historical feel, with some cottage-style builds situated within a village lifestyle. There’s a variety of options for both buying and renting within the village. 

Overall, Delph is perfect for outdoorsy people who want to indulge in rural living within a quaint village setting. There’s the advantage of not being cut off from the city with easy bus routes and a nearby train station.

H2: Find your ideal place to live with JonSimon

Now that you’ve become acquainted with the variety of areas in Oldham, it’s time to weigh up your options! There’s something in the Oldham district for everyone – whether you’re a nature lover or want to be close to the city, there’s an ideal area waiting for you. Wherever it is you decide to move, we’re here to help with the process.

At JonSimon, our friendly team of local estate agents in Radcliffe, Burnley, Bury, and Ramsbottom are here to help you find the perfect property that suits your needs. Whether you’re renting or buying, we’re here to answer any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!

FAQs

How far is Oldham from Manchester City Centre?

Oldham town centre is 7 miles (11 kilometres) from Manchester City Centre. It takes approximately 15 minutes to travel to Manchester by car, but both the town and surrounding areas – such as Saddleworth, Failsworth and Shaw and Crompton – are well connected to the city centre via various modes of public transport, including bus, Metrolink and train. 

 Is Oldham a cheap place to live?

Oldham is generally considered to be a cheap place to live. Many families and commuters choose to live here as an affordable alternative to the neighbouring city of Manchester, with average house prices at approximately £269,000 and average rental prices at approximately £1,000 pcm. These prices fluctuate significantly within each area in Oldham, giving renters and buyers plenty of choice to suit their lifestyle preferences, needs, and budget.

What are the nicest areas of Oldham?

Saddleworth and Delph can be considered the nicest areas in Oldham for their picturesque, quaint village-feel and sense of community. This is reflected in the house and rental prices, making it suitable for those with higher budgets. However, areas like Royton with its quality leisure facilities and schools, and Chadderton with its reputation as a safe and friendly place to live, may be considered nicer according to your preference.