London or Manchester

[bare123]

Hi guys

Myself and my friend are looking to relocate to a bigger city, we are both in early 20s and we’re considering London and Manchester.

I myself am leaning towards London because feel there would be way more going on, new places to see constantly however the cost is making my friend lean a lot more towards Manchester, like rent we can find a nice 2 bedroom apartment for 400 each in Manchester whereas in London we would be paying 750 each for a flat share with other people (I don’t mind the sharing tbh)

What is everyone’s opinions on both? I am hoping to work within finance industry as that’s what my degree is and my friend isn’t sure of what career path to go down.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

(Well, we did before Covid...)

I have lived in London since my early 20s (now late 40's) and even though I love it here and it's home, I would say Manchester. This is only because of the exorbitant price of renting here though. Otherwise I would say London. Nothing against Manchester at all but I think if you find the right area in London it's just as friendly as anywhere else and as you say, you would never run out of things to do.

@DoesSheDoesntShe

(Also, forget the idea that you'll be popping up from Manchester to London on the train for nights out - nice idea, won't happen!)

Why not?
We go regularly. At least once a month!
Not for ‘nights out’ (too old) but for weekends - theatre, meals out, galleries, shopping.
If the OP lives in Manchester she will have disposable income she wouldn’t have if she lived in London. It’s only a few hrs by train!

I lived in Manchester for 7 years and only visited London twice! "Only 2 hours away" is actually a 4 hour round trip, which is a lot when everything in Manchester city centre is only a short walk away.

All the big high earning finance jobs are still in London. I'm not saying you can't earn a good salary in Manchester but its not the same.
Manchester is a great city bit there's nothing like London when you're young and have few responsibilities. It's an amazing place. Now is the time to do London, then move out to another city to settle down.
It also rains a lot in Manchester!

With all the stabbings, gangs, expense, indifference by the Mayor to things Londoners care about...I'd move to Manchester. I've lived in London for 24 years and I've often thought of going myself.

I lived in Manchester for 7 years and only visited London twice! "Only 2 hours away" is actually a 4 hour round trip, which is a lot when everything in Manchester city centre is only a short walk away.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m in Manchester every day for work but if the OP misses London, it’s not far.
As for travel times, we have friends in South London and their commute into central London takes just over 1hr door to door one way.

Another Manchester vote! Lived here all my life, loads to do and beautiful countryside on ur doorstep

I've lived in Greater Manchester my whole life - from leafy 'countryside' parts, to the city centre, to South Manchester suburbs now. We have a static caravan on Anglesey (2 hours door to door) and I work for a company in London with weekly office trips pre-Covid (

"Don’t get me wrong, I’m in Manchester every day for work but if the OP misses London, it’s not far."

The OP hasn't even said that they've stepped foot in London so not sure why you think they'd miss it.

As for travel times, we have friends in South London and their commute into central London takes just over 1hr door to door one way.

Well exactly - From Manchester it's 2 hours on the train and then possibly up to another hour after that to get to wherever in London they want to be. & then the return journey to get home. It's a lot for a day trip and otherwise you have to add on the cost and hassle of a hotel room.

So yeah, most people in Manchester don't visit London often unless they have to.

Totally depends how much you’re earning.

London has a buzz you can’t get elsewhere IMO, having lived in both. But it you’re going to be too poor to go out or live remotely central then that’s no fun. By remotely central I mean up to an hour door to door to work.

So yeah, most people in Manchester don't visit London often unless they have to.

You’re right, some people don’t go anywhere.

I wouldn’t go for the day. Never said I would.

The OP hasn't even said that they've stepped foot in London so not sure why you think they'd miss it.

Strange that she’s considering living there if she’s never been.

Why do you think you'd need to flatshare in London? 750 each is 1500, you can absolutely get your own 2bed for that, even cheaper (and yes in a decent area).

London is more expensive but salaries are higher too

I think you need to do more research! I agree with doing London when you're young, it's the best time.

London.

I'd never live anywhere else.

Manchester.

You couldn't pay me enough to live in London.

Having lived in both, if I were in your position I'd choose Manchester.

Housing prices are insane in London. I once worked out that, if I saved 20% of my professional takehome salary each month, and assumed zero house price increases in the interim, I'd be able to put down a deposit on a flat at the age of 83. That was the point I decided to leave.

Manchester has lots going on, and you won't be bored. It's only 2 hours on the train from London so a weekend away is easily doable (and very affordable, with the rent you'll save).

After a few years in London in my 20s I realised it was very rare that I did anything I couldn't do in another city. How frequently did I actually go to a big museum or gallery opening? Not very... Everyone moves to London thinking they'll be off to the British museum or the West End every weekend. In reality you only go when you have visitors from outside London...

Manchester - the beer's cheaper

Both are great places to be when you're young.
Apply for jobs in both and see what your options are.
Whilst interviews are still being done remotely you don't have to commit to anywhere.

London. And I live in Manchester - it’s a great city but I miss the buzz of London and am so glad I spent my Having Fun years there (in mad scruffy house shares)

Manchester. My DD and her DP have just moved from London to Leeds because they were totally fed up with London prices. They have bought a 4 bedroom Victorian townhouse for half the cost of a shabby 2 bed flat in London. I imagine rental costs will be much cheaper in Manchester. More money for having fun!

I’ve lived in both for decent periods of time, Manchester by an absolute country mile.

What do you enjoy? If you like (and I don't mean this pejoratively) having a nice home, enjoy relatively mainstream hobbies/culture/activities, like to go back to your favourite bars and restaurants but also enjoy trying new things when they've got a bit of momentum and buzz behind them, Manchester for sure. It's a great city, loads to do, way cheaper than London and lovely countryside nearby.

If you get excited by trying stuff you've only just heard about even though it could be really awful just in case it's amazing, are ok with being a bit out of your comfort zone a lot of the time, and would be comfortable living in a scruffy area (again not pejorative, you can spend £3M + on a house in London and still be stepping over dumped mattresses on the way to the tube), probably not having as nice a home as your friends outside London, and don't want to be close enough to countryside to head out of town every weekend then go for London because otherwise it'll always be there at the back of your mind making you wonder if that's what you should have done.

(20 years ago we had to make the decision between Newcastle and London, and chose London for the reasons above. We don't regret it but we aren't rose-tinted about the bad sides of London. I honestly think most people will have a better quality of life elsewhere - London's only worthwhile if you genuinely value access to massive variety over calmness and comfort)

To add - I don't mean there's no variety in Manchester or other cities! Of course not - there's more than enough to keep most people engaged and involved. But in London it's overwhelming, you'd never get to the end of it. It's like the difference between a shower and a deluge.

Manchester. My cousin and her now husband lived there for a few years having moved from Ireland. There’s a good sized Irish community including a couple of GAA clubs if either of you play or want to keep a connection to home.