Increasingly people are choosing to live where they have freedom, excitement, variety and convenience of shops, entertainment and work on the doorstep.

In Hulme, over 600 homes have been built by Bellway Homes around Stretford Road, and by Fairclough and Miller Homes at St Mary's. Another 500 are under construction. Private flats to rent are being built by Opal Developments on Boundary Lane and for sale by Lowry Homes on Chorlton Road. In Moss Side, comprehensive improvements have already been made to the Alexandra Park estate and properties on the older terraced streets are being systematically renovated. With an emphasis on quality of life, personal safety is paramount, so streets and open spaces are designed to be self-policing.

One mile from the City Centre, Hulme and Moss Side lies between Trafford Park/Salford Quays, the Universities and hospital campuses and with Manchester International Airport only 15 minutes away, this makes Hulme and Moss Side an ideal location for working people.

Furthermore, within Moss Side and Hulme, ASDA, Scottish Courage, Hydes Anvil Brewery, Manchester Science Park and Greenheys Business Centre are all committed to the principle of employing local people. The development of a new hotel and employment-generating Commercial Park at Birley Fields, will secure quality career opportunities and is the first phase of establishing a dynamic commercial office.

The City Council, in partnership with other early learning providers in Hulme and Moss Side, has submitted proposals to the Government to gain Early Excellence status. Martenscroft, Moss Side Children's Centre and the Moss Side and Hulme Early Years Network are seeking to become national standard bearers of early years excellence in education and play.

Standards of education are high in Moss Side and Hulme with primary and secondary schools exceeding national standard. Loreto 6th Form College and Trinity High School and Ducie High School continue to provide the highest standards of education.

The splendid Zion Building on Stretford Road, which has played host to Pavarotti, has been extensively refurbished as the Zion Arts Centre, where music and dance studios, recording facilities, and a performance venue combine to make this one of the regions' premier cultural resource centres. The new Millennium Powerhouse is Moss Side's flagship multi-functional resource centre, acting as a beacon for young people and exemplifying the true spirit of the community.

ASDA, anchors the new Hulme High Street, currently under construction, which when complete will recreate the choice and variety, hustle and bustle of a traditional "High Street", including a range of secondary stores and shops and a covered market hall. Meanwhile, the shops on Princess Road are receiving a substantial facelift, ensuring that they continue to offer a cocktail of traditional local shops and ethnic businesses.

New development throughout the area is encouraged to integrate shops and other business activities on the lower floors, recreating the concept of the corner shop, which makes shopping for essentials so much more convenient.

"All work and no play"……..There is no danger of having nothing to do in Moss Side and Hulme! The Moss Side Leisure Centre is a fully equipped sports centre attached to Hulme High Street, and embraces a wide range of facilities including one of the largest pools in Manchester, weights room, gym, badminton and squash courts.

The new Hulme Park is the first large-scale park to be created in Manchester this century at a cost of over £3 million and will link Stretford Road with Castlefield. Alexandra Park, created at the turn of the century, is a huge asset to the area, offering a green lung to the residents of Moss Side and Whalley Range.

New children's playgrounds are safely located in most primary schools and Adventure Playgrounds and youth facilities provide a stimulating choice for young people.