With its foot in traditional and contemporary, it is easy to see why people live or want to live in Bramhall. It certainly has a lot to offer.

Bramhall is home to entrepreneurs, lawyers, other professionals and the odd footballer, music star and television presenter and its ideal commuter links to Manchester city centre, especially after the completion of the A34 Wilmslow link, have made it a honey pot for young professionals and families. It also provides good access for Stockport, links to the M56 for Cheshire and the M57 for those making the journey to Sheffield.

Property prices have remained well above the national average since 1996 with this gap ever increasing. The average price of a property in the town peaked at �425,000 in 2005 followed by a brief drop but this has soon been restored and is fast getting back to that price.

There is a good selection of large properties available in Bramhall from detached homes near the high street to small cul-de-sacs offering more private living and beautiful homes in the Bramhall Park area. But for those wanting to get on the property ladder there is a good chance you will miss out because of a lack of affordable housing.

Bramhall's property market is dominated by detached and semi-detached properties with a small part being made up of terraced homes and flats. Nearby Bramall Hall, which has roots going back to the 13th century, offers some history to Bramhall, which itself dates back 1000 years to its first mention as Bromale in the Domesday Book.

Its compact town centre features a good variety of caf� bars and restaurants as well quirky and modern shopping options from chic boutiques, quirky and modern furniture shops and a shopping complex.

The town, which is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, boasts good schools, both state and private, and has a bustling community feel that is backed up by its many clubs and societies. Members of the Bramhall Village Partnership are also currently trying to establish a Friends of Bramhall Station Group to help make the station safer and more attractive.

For those with more disposable income Bramhall is an ideal place to set up home and for those that don't yet have the cash, get saving, it is worth it.

FACT FILE

Ups: Lots of individual shops to browse for one-offs as well as ones for all the essentials, cheap parking, bustling little centre, nice standard of living

Downs: With little property available under the �100,000 mark it is difficult for first time buyers to get onto the property ladder

Schools: Queensgate Primary School, 0161 4393330, Pownall Green Primary School. 0161 439 1105, Ladybrook Primary School, 0161 439 8444, Moss Hey Primary School, 0161 439 5114, Valley School, 0161 439 7343, Bramhall High School, 0161 4398045.

Transport: Bramhall Train Station is within easy reach of the centre with buses running regularly from Stockport and Manchester. Manchester International Airport is less than five miles away and for coach travel Stockport Coach Station is less than twenty minutes drive away.

Commuting: Bramhall has strong commuter links with the M60, M56 and the M57 and Manchester city centre is, on a good day, just 30 minutes away. The A34 Wilmslow by-pass has also speeded up road links to the city.

Shops: Shops fill Woodford Road and Bramhall Lane South with chic boutiques, trendy furniture shops and those shops where you can be guaranteed a one off.

Restaurants/bars: Bramhall is bursting with option for eating out whether you fancy a light bite in a caf�, live music while you eat or Mediterranean cuisine. If you fancy a night at home there is also a good choice of takeaways.

Weekend fun: There are a large number of clubs to join from sports and dance clubs, amateur dramatics groups and musical societies as well as those for the children including scouts, karate groups and junior football teams. You can visit nearby Bramhall Hall, a black and white timber famed manor house, which dates back six centuries or if you like whiling away the afternoon listening to jazz over a coffee or something stronger, bars like Graze could be for you.