Living in Manchester, England:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

The rain here is unbelievable. It’s as if the stereotype of England always being grey and gloomy is based upon Manchester alone. Aside from that it’s a relatively quiet city, and the homes here are beautiful – especially considering the fact that the prices for them are very reasonable. Also, Manchester is known as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the UK I believe; we even have an area in town dedicated to them called ‘Gay Village’ which is pretty cool.

Upon moving to Manchester, I think it is integral that you consider the type of living arrangements you would prefer. The closer you get to the city, the more you will encounter high rise apartments and cosy flats. It isn’t until you head further away from the city centre that an appropriate family home would become the norm. This is a massive consideration in terms of employment within the city, and I think it important that people consider their commute, and their living conditions.

Considering that it is a large city in the northwest of England, you have to be able to adapt to the wide range of accents English is spoken with. Our location also means that it mostly rains with strong heavy showers. This city is also well known for its large cultural diversity which also means that racism is at an all time low.

Manchester is a place of contrasts: Victorian gothic meets modern urban. I vastly prefer the Victorian and am horrified by the overcrowding that has taken place over the last decade. However, the urban regeneration has made Manchester a more glamorous and exciting place. You cannot venture further than one block without hitting a vegan pop-up!

Manchester is a glorious place; the people are friendly and the nightlife is first class. The weather can be appalling but the welcome is always warm. A place where many cultures merge comfortably. A top tip is to buy an umbrella and take it for a walk down King Street, sipping a coffee and taking in the sights.

There add some beautiful restaurants and eateries in the Northern Quarter – only a few minutes walk from the centre of Manchester. Among the finest, strongly favoured by locals, is one named Common. The menu is delightful: fried foods, cocktails and fresh coffee. I have eaten there many times (most recently with family) and always find myself satisfied after good meal!

Manchester is a brilliant city. It is small, but cosmopolitan; historic, but up-and-coming; wet, but with plenty of brilliant places to get out of the rain! My favourite thing about Manchester is that it has a “big city feel”, but you can walk across the city centre in about 30 minutes, and people are much friendlier than in London. My least favourite thing is probably the rainy weather (it gets a lot!), but there are plenty of bars and restaurants to hide away in, and, in less than an hour in the car or by metro, you can escape the Manchester bowl and see some stunning (slightly drier) countryside.

Be aware of the transport system as it can be terribly confusing for newcomers. Manchester is famous for its culture of football-lovers and matches can delay the transport to an abhorrent degree. In spite of this; Manchester is home to fabulous clubs and general nightlife and engaging and friendly people.

I recommend you research the Metrolink. It’s a tram service that has expanded rapidly over the last 20 years, now linking a majority of Greater Manchester together. If you don’t own a car, it’s by far the fastest and cheapest way to travel.

Manchester is a tolerant city, with a very diverse population that brings various cultural influences to daily lives. For example, the ‘Curry Mile’ is notorious for its Middle-Eastern and Southern Asian cuisines: thousands of people visit this road in a day. Many festivals and events with non-British origins are celebrated each year, such as Eid Ul-Fitr and more. Most of the population is accepting of others.

Manchester is a densely populated city but there are areas of natural beauty nearby. The character of the average Mancunian is typically friendly and helpful although the evidence of community is often lacking. The city is steeped in a proud history of industry and innovation and takes its name from the Latin, meaning “Mother City. “

Manchester Is a city of the people as you may presume from the word “man” however it doesn’t mean it doesn’t welcome women. This city is open with its full arms to whoever wishes just like a mother is to her children’s friends. People here stand behind each others back to support them in dire times whenever they need to.