Do you prefer Birmingham or Manchester

@IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos It definitely would be the case, yes! Which is why plenty of people are suggesting that if OP wants frequent access to things in Birmingham that she'd be better off living in Birmingham, or in places which are much better connected (Solihull for example) than Warwick.

But I think most posters have hit the nail on the head in saying that I'd OP is trying to replicate life in Zone 4, then she probably needs to stay in Zone 4!

Many of the towns and suburbs mentioned (Warwick very much included) are lovely places to live... but they won't give OP the pseudo-London experience.

That's also going to be true of many of the areas she's looking at in Greater Manchester. It's true of basically every city and their surrounding areas outside of London.

If London style access is what OP wants, she needs to stay in London. I presume as she's looking to move out of London she's considered that?

I'd choose Manchester. Culturally, the only downside comes about 20 times a year when the 'plastics' come to Old Trafford, whom you can avoid.

On a few trains, yes. But more like 40-45 on average. And it's not like London where you rock up at the station and a train will be there - 2 an hour is pretty normal. And you have to get to the station. And then whatever you needed to get to at the other end. There's not much within 10 mins walk of Moor St that OP will want to do on repeat.

Warwick is lovely. But if frequent (leisure) access to Birmingham is top of OP's list, I'd live somewhere closer.

(Yes, I know people commute there every day, but it's still not something I'd recommend as the best way to spend precious leisure time).

Manchester - the Cheshire towns you mention are all rather lovely places to live, there are loads of stately homes/galleries/gardens in the surrounding countryside, Manchester has enough fun stuff to do and it's easy to get to Liverpool and do the art/culture/shopping there if you fancy a change!

I live halwayish between Leeds and Manchester and can easily access both.
Would that be an idea so you could enjoy both cities? I can also get to Sheffield quite easily, which is apparently a foodie hotspot these days

I think the countryside is more interesting near manchester than Birmingham. And yes, birmingham is skint. I enjoy a night out in Manchester but it's very young!

There is the gated community.

Lots of people commute from there to Birmingham. Sutton Coldfield also popular for Birmingham with good schools. Also the areas between Birmingham and Coventry some are nice.

We have decided we would live in Stratford/Warwick/Leamington Spa if we moved to Birmingham

Surely you would need to live in Birmingham? Otherwise, you are moving to Stratford, Warwick or Leamington Spa.

28 mins direct Warwick to Moor Street...

It's not quite that easy to get into Bham city centre from Warwickshire - I think you may need to do some more research 🙈

Having read all your updates @Clarro I'd still go for Birmingham but not solely for Birmingham.

You could live in any of the Warwickshire places you've mentioned and still get a lot of what you talked about without having to go to a city, so it would reduce the travel into Birmingham from every weekend to every month ish. Plus easy access to other cities, such as Nottingham, Leicester etc. Peaks not far away, Cotswolds close by too.

You'd have many more options for what you enjoy. Especially food, there's food festivals all over the place.

Grew up and lived in London (centrally and outskirts) and now live just outside of Birmingham. Nowhere is like London, Birmingham feels tiny in comparison. I don't go into the city anymore it's a dive. It's not like London where you can live quite far out and still be a part of London and feel like a Londoner. Warwick, Stratford etc are lovely towns in their own right but absoloultey nothing to do with Birmingham and not as easy to get into central brum as you'd think. If you want city life then look at places like Mosely, Edgebaston etc that actually are part of Birmingham but are quite pleasant.

I was in Manchester recently and though the same.

Born and bred Brummie but moved 3 years ago. I wouldn't go back if you paid me. I travelled the length and breadth of the city for work so know it very very well. It is congested, dirty, beggars / druggies at traffic lights knocking for money. The centre is rough and shabby. No thanks never again.

I have relatives in one and friends in the other. If you gave me 900K and 3 seconds to make a decision I’d go for Manchester. For all its faults I feel both at home and energised when I spend time there.

PS Like @senua I think London suits you better.

Your update did change things, OP.

There are many nice places to live in both Warwickshire and Cheshire on your budget. For your priorities, I would choose Manchester.

The OP wants "shopping, eating and going to museums and plays" so actually Liverpool would tick all boxes. We have a lot of theatre going on. But I live slightly outside now. I voted Manchester because then you've got day trips to Liverpool. We have a lot of events acrossMerseyside (as does Manchester).

Yep, definitely Leeds.😁

But of your two choices - Birmingham. As someone who doesn’t come from there, find it just generally a nicer and friendlier place to be. And prefer your list of places to live for Birmingham than those for Manchester too.

Seconded. Although Leamington as OP mentioned later on in an update is also lovely.

You may want to look at Hampton in Arden, Balsall common, knowle and meridian if Birmingham is favoured

I’m not surprised in the slightest to see that most people on this thread prefer Manchester. Birmingham is a bit soulless compared to Manchester and much rougher. Manchester is more ‘London-y’ than Birmingham, and has much more nice things to do. Also, I wouldn’t want to live in a city that has such an incompetent local authority. Consider Altrincham if you want somewhere really nice but still be close to the city.

I go to both. I live on Merseyside. If you go Manchester way, you've also got the Wirral/Liverpool for a day out.
I like Birmingham Christmas Markets, but Manchester has better theatre/events etc on offer. I've never been to Birmingham and there hasn't been gang fights in/around Macdonalds. It just seems more aggressive. I do like that Stratford-upon-avon etc is easily accessible from Birmingham. I'd go out walking around the city at night.

I'd swerve Sutton Coldfield. Town centre is decimated, Andrew Mitchell is a knob and the Council is bankrupt.

Crime is increasing as there's no consequence. Police only giving warnings out and crime numbers to victims