Nursing in Stockport: studying, working, and living guide
Find out about nursing in Stockport - where nurses can find jobs, the hospitals they might work in, colleges & universities to study in, plus living information.
Stockport is a town in the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, North West England and is known for its 19th century contributions to the textiles and hatting industries. Stockport is one of the most sought-after places to live in the North West with its vibrant town centre and abundance of green spaces.
From cost of living and travel through to culture and nightlife, this guide is for nurses looking to work and study in Stockport.
Where do nurses work in Stockport?
Throughout the town of Stockport, there are hospitals- both public and private- care homes, clinics, and GP practices looking for nurses of all levels and specialisms:
Stepping Hill Hospital
Alexandra Hospital (private)
Woodley Health Centre
Wythenshawe Hospital (12-14 minutes’ drive away from Stockport)
The Stockport NHS Foundation Trust provides public healthcare to the town, with its main site being Stepping Hill Hospital; they also operate a number of community-based healthcare settings.
Where can aspiring nurses study in Stockport?
Anyone wanting to train as a health professional in Stockport can study at Stockport College which offers university level courses in nursing and midwifery. Courses start in September.
Just over 20 minutes from Stockport, Student Nurses also have the option to study at the two universities in Greater Manchester: the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Manchester Metropolitan University has campuses in Birley and All Saints. Manchester Metropolitan University is ranked 4th for nursing in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2022).
The University of Manchester also has two campuses, one based on Oxford Road and one in the Sackville Street area. Courses include Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing and Mental Health Nursing with start dates available in September.
There are plenty of options for those looing to gain their nursing degree at a university in Stockport.
Find our nursing university guide here.
The average monthly rental in Stockport is around £800 per month, cheaper than renting in Manchester and other major UK cities.
Where do nurses live in Stockport?
Nurses live all over Stockport in locations that suit their individual requirements. A few of the most popular locations for students, nurses, and professionals to live are:
Stockport Town Centre
Close to the town centre with all the amenities and history.
Heaton Moor
Family friendly town close to Stockport with local amenities.
Bredbury
Quiet residential area close to Woodley health centre and lots of schools.
Reddish
The most affordable part of Stockport.
What are the living costs for nurses in Stockport?
Stockport is one of Greater Manchester's more expensive towns to live in, although it does have more affordable areas and remains cheaper than many areas in the UK.
Here is a general guide to some of the different costs of living in Stockport:
The average price for a home in Stockport is currently £279,000 which is a little below the national average of £293,000 – according to Rightmove.
The average rental price for a property in Stockport is £800 per month. But if you are looking to rent a room in a shared house, the average cost is just over £550.
Council tax costs vary across the city. But many people reside in a Band B property or similar, which means paying £1660 a year, which works out to just under £140 per a month.
Other bills like shopping and utilities are priced the same as the rest of the UK.
Eating out and entertainment may be a little more expensive than average but again is dependent on where you visit.
Is travel easy in Stockport?
Depending on how you want to travel, getting around is easy in Stockport. Stockport Rail Station is a major Manchester hub providing easy links to a multitude of destinations. There are 250 direct trains from Stockport to Manchester Piccadilly everyday which take just 14 minutes. Located on the main West Coast line between London and Glasgow line it provides direct access to London in a little over two hours.
There are many motorways which pass close to Stockport such as the M62, M6 and M60 (ring road). Stockport is just over 3 hours and 30 drive from London. Manchester can be reached in just 20 minutes.
The nearest airport to Stockport is Manchester Airport, which is six miles away. Manchester Airport provides flights all over the UK, as well as to Europe and the US.
What to do in Stockport: walks, culture, nightlife and eating out
The town of Stockport is enriched with history and there are lots of places to visit.
Culture and attractions
One place to check out is Staircase House. The rich historical experience of a day out here travels all the way from 1460 to WWII, and offers an intriguing day out for any nurses and their families who are interested in history.
Meanwhile, Stockport Air Raid Shelters immerses visitors in the sights and sounds of Britain’s Home Front, offering the chance to wander around original tunnels while taking in the displays and stories of local people.
The Stockport Railway Viaduct is one of the town’s most recognizable structures with its 27 arches standing a massive 33.85 metres high. It represented a major achievement in Victorian engineering.
The Hat Works is another interesting and historic day out; Stockport was historically home of the nation’s hatting industry. There is also Stockport Museum, Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery and Bramall Hall, all of which are popular days out.
Stockport is full of stunning walks and scenery across 14 nature reserves including one of England’s first country parks Etherow Country park.
For music interests you can visit the Plaza in Stockport, the UK’s only remaining art deco super cinema and variety theatre and music while the Arden Arms offers live music every weekend and Spinning Top is the town’s only dedicated live music venue.
Stockport County Football club play in the EFL Football League Division Two and play their home matches at Edgeley Park. The town is also famous for its athletics links with three local clubs Manchester Harriers & AC, Stockport Harriers & AC and DASH Athletics Club.
Nightlife and eating out
Stockport has a wonderful variety of places to offer for its nightlife, from restaurants to bars. Highlights include:
Where The Light Gets In, an open planned kitchen and restaurant offering outstanding food and has a Michelin Green star for its sustainability.
Laco Café and Bistro, number one TripAdvisor Restaurant in Stockport.
The Plaza, a popular theatre in Stockport.
The Cracked Actor Bar, known for its fine selections of beers, wines, ales and cocktails.
In Stockport, there always something to do, whether you're into nature, history, or nights out.
What are the school options in Stockport?
Throughout Stockport there are many great options when it comes to choosing the right place to send your children to school.
Stockport has 90 Primary schools, including those who can support children with a range of additional needs and disabilities. There are 14 Secondary schools and 12 private independent schools.
The town currently has 94 Ofsted rated Outstanding or Good schools.
The perfect school for your children could be waiting for you in Stockport!
Population and demographics in Stockport
Here are some of the stand-out population and demographic facts about Stockport:
Stockport has a population of 297,000.
Stockport covers an area of 12,600 hectares making it one of the biggest towns in the UK.
Its population density is 2,330 people per square kilometre.
The borough includes Stockport itself, Cheadle, Hazel Grove and Denton and Reddish.
In summary: is Stockport a good place to be a nurse?
Stockport, although quite a pricey place to live in, could be an ideal location for nurses looking to settle down with family. It could also be great for nursing students looking for somewhere to call home while they study. Stockport has a college and University Centre, as well as offering easy access to two universities in Greater Manchester.
Stockport has many things to do and places to visit no matter your age, and is especially popular with those who have a love of history. Travel to and from Stockport is easy as there are numerous transport options via road and rail, and there is an airport close by.
While it can be expensive to live in Stockport, the prices in more affordable areas, prices compare favourably with nearby Manchester, and there is no shortage of work opportunities.
Nurses earn just over £30,000 per a year in Stockport. So, your salary as a Registered Nurse goes much further in Stockport. Here are a couple of examples:
As a Newly Qualified Nurse on an NHS Band 5 salary, if you rented a house, you would still have just over £1000 left in your pocket each month for everything else. Your disposable income in the Southeast would barely reach half of this figure, for example.
As a Band 6 nurse, you would easily be able to borrow enough money to buy a joint mortgage for an average-priced flat in Stockport. In fact, in many parts your salary would cover the cost of buying a house.
As a nursing student or nurse in Stockport, you will have an excellent quality of life with lots of things to do.
