Spotlight on East Manchester

WHERE: The areas of Clayton, Openshaw and Beswick, one and a half miles east of Manchester city centre off Ashton Roads, both old and new.

WHY: Because more regeneration money is being poured into this square mile or so of Manchester than almost anywhere else in the north west. The Commonwealth Games stadium was the catalyst but redevelopment continues with whole streets now being improved by the council and private house builders embarking on new schemes. And the other reason is affordability. If you cannot get a foot on the property ladder anywhere else, you will be able to buy here. Two-bed terraces around Clayton can be had for around £30,000. The Metrolink is coming this way with the stop outside the huge Asda/Walmart already in place.

WHO: Traditionally cheap housing provided low-cost accommodation but also attracted the less-scrupulous landlords who often left properties to deteriorate. The development of Sportcity by Countryside Properties opposite the stadium has led to a whole new wave of people suddenly showing an interest in the area and the first three phases have already sold out.

TRANSPORT: Two straight roads directly into the city and right on the inner ring road. The Metrolink tram, sometime soon, will make a major difference.

SCHOOLS: Wright Robinson Sports College gets 43 per cent of its pupils through five or more GCSEs A-C.

AGENT' VIEW: Dean Sanderson from Sanderson James said: "Up until five years ago you could buy properties for a couple of thousand pounds and I have sold a house for £800. But the Games and the investment that followed have transformed people's attitudes and the prices. House values have gone up substantially - which is good news for the people who live here as they see their investment increase. But they remain affordable, which means there is room for further increases. I would not be surprised to see the terrace you can buy today for £40,000 worth double in two to three years."

RESIDENT'S VIEW: Yvonne Russell said: "I live in a housing association house just behind Sportcity and there is a lot of uncertainty about whether they are going to be demolished, which is unsettling. They want people to move out but I want to stay around here. We have lived here a long time while there has been nothing, and I want to be here now it is all changing. I would love to be able to buy a place but I don't think that will be possible now."