Moving to Leeds or Manchester

[wolive]

My husband has been offered a job transfer to either Leeds or Manchester - we’re currently living in London, in a tiny flat with two kids so v keen to move to a new area.

We’ve done a quick visit to both places but struggling to decide which one to go for. We’ve always lived in the South-East and don’t know either area well or have any particular connection to either.

We want to live in or near a city, so have been looking places like Chorlton or Chapel Allerton. Both seem to have a lot going for them and I’m feeling very undecided. Help! Which one should we choose?

I've lived in both and much prefer Leeds, the city centre is much cleaner and nicer looking, sounds awful but much fewer beggars and drug addicts on the street, accent nicer, people generally friendlier, nicer countryside within easy reach, rains less

Manchester is a nice city but Leeds is nicer.
Fabulous city centre and beautiful places out and around.

Both good cities. Leeds is much smaller.

Are schools a factor?

Leeds no doubt! Safer, cleaner and overall nicer

Have you looked at Didsbury? Or Altrincham?
I prefer Manchester, there is greater diversity in shops and interests

Is there a difference for your H’s or your job? Eg one office larger/more prospects?

Leeds/Manchester is not a nice commute, so if he hopes to stay with the organisation it’d be best to avoid the scenario of commuting for an internal move. More jobs in general in Manchester.

Manchester is great we moved to Chorlton from London and it’s so lovely. Met loads of other people moved from London, great local community, good schools and 15 minute tram ride to city centre. Would 100% recommend!

Have a careful look at schools. Both areas have upscale beautiful properties, and less expensive property. Do you want to work? Is there any difference between Leeds and Manchester in terms of job prospects?

Chapel allerton is hard to find houses that are actually chapel allerton. It’s very close to very different (grotty) areas.
Not sure secondary schools are good.

Having lived in both, I’d choose Manchester for being more cosmopolitan.

I moved to Leeds from east London in January 2019 and I love it. Fabulous shopping, beautiful countryside 20 mins from the city centre, and lots of concerts at Leeds Arena and Town Hall.

Both have great places to live... Depends on your house budget... And if prefer small or larger cities

Leeds is brilliant. They go to great lengths to be a child friendly city. Countryside and coast is easy to access. Loads of places to take kids in Leeds and surrounding areas. Public transport in the outskirts can be unreliable.

Thanks all, they both sound great... I’ll be looking for work too and there seem to be more jobs coming up in Manchester. But houses look to be cheaper in Leeds so potentially would get more for our money.

Will also need to find a reception space to dd so may just come down to wherever we can find a school place available!

Manchester every time.

Also consider the work commute, some v congested and polluted routes in both cities, and crowded rail lined.

There will be more jobs in Manchester because it's a bigger place, but Leeds is still pretty good for work. It does depend on what you want from where you live. e.g. if you like getting out to the countryside then I would say Leeds as it's quick to go out to the dales etc.

Yep, I'd choose Manchester op. I live probably half way between the two and much prefer Manchester.

Where in Leeds would your husband's job be? If the city centre you could live somewhere like Wakefield, Morley or Farsley and commute by train.

You're going to get a host of answers from people who prefer one or the other.

I haven't lived in either but have been to both as a visitor many times (student children).

I was really impressed with Manchester's infrastructure, the trams are amazingly efficient. Both cities have renovated their historic bits and both are vibrant arty, sporty, university cities with good transport links. Again I think Manchester is better linked internationally via its airport whereas Leeds-Bradford is small.

I don't know which is cheaper to buy into but Manchester strikes me as having the better vibe coming from the SE but both are great cities.

I’m a relocation agent who works in both cities, but I dont live in either so I’m pretty neutral. I live halfway between the 2
Manchester is more cosmopolitan but more expensive. Leeds is smaller with a friendlier fell but there’s more going on in Manchester.
Manchester has trams and a better airport but Leeds is probably closer to countryside (although Manchester isn’t far)
I think if you are coming from London/SE Manchester would suit you better.

Manchester but I suppose it's because its my city. Chorlton is a great place to live with young children. South Manchester is more upmarket than north Manchester but we have wonderful open countryside here.

Manchester has trams and a good airport - south Manchester would probably suit you better than north. Manchester is a very friendly city

I second Didsbury as a good option if you're used to what London has to offer. It's more expensive than you'd think though and properties get snapped up.