We’ve had the london one so…what do non-Mancunians think of Manchester?

[RishisPA]

Interested to see how it compares? Any insights into Manchester? I hate how so many visitors end up getting off at Piccadilly and going straight to Piccadilly gardens when (imo) that’s the worst bit of the city centre!!

Oh as others have said when I was much much younger Affleck's Palace and the Hacienda were the height of sophistication to me . I haven't been for a while but remember St Ann's square & Canal St. fondly , seemed more on a human scale. Also the John Rylands library I remember going to and it is fabulous.

Last time I went I didn't have a chance to look at much but I am not a fan of the big red brick converted buildings and it felt like too many just big straight streets with v high buildings either side and not enough greenery.

That said I know people who love it. And also I did go to something in the Town Hall , the interior of which which is really quite impressive and I think often used in filming to stand in for other places.

It would not be for me but horses for courses - I definitely would not write the whole city off as"rough"

@chisanunian

I've been once to take dc to an audition. Thought it was a dump.

(The small bit of it I saw anyway).

And your opinion is based on just that? Wow

Don't like it. Much prefer Liverpool just down the road.

Grimy and always raining

[quote RussianSpy101]@savedbyanalien that’s a really sad post. Do you not leave London often?[/quote]
I don't think it's 'really sad' if someone has never been to Manchester!!!

I've been several times, nearly always for work, and don't feel the city added anything to my life.

@Santiagopink

Slightly off topic, but it's just occurred to me, if people from Manchester are Mancunian, are people from Chester just Cunians?

We are Cestrians

Mostly alright. Piccadilly Gardens has a misfortunate energy and always feel a sense of foreboding walking through. A pivotal & relevant city due to Peterloo. Close to The Peaks. This be the place as Tony Walsh says.

@Perfectlystill i didn’t mean the fact they’ve never been to Manchester.
I meant the fact they don’t see the point in visiting other places.
Very sad to live in one city and feel you have nothing to gain by venturing out.

My db has lived in Manchester for 20 yrs since uni.It always seems to be raining!

I don’t like it. I much prefer Liverpool, Leeds and even Birmingham.

The lack of green space and trees is a big downside.
OTOH, if you've got kids the Museum of Science and Industry is truly great (caveat... not been for a few years). We used to take DD there quite a lot, kept on finding more of it... maybe part of the reason she grew up to be an engineer.

There's a pretty good choice of theatres if you live vaguely in that area between the Lowry and the ones in the centre - we've seen some excellent productions at the Royal Exchange.

I've only got a limited knowledge of Manchester based on visiting the set of Corrie and a hen weekend. What I saw, I liked. It felt cooler than Brum and I'd love to back and explore more.

I love it. It's got a real, authentic, forward-thinking feeling & isn't pretentious like London. Yea, it rains but it makes up for that by being just a really diverse & cool place. Lots of music/nightlife/culture/food choices & a town centre that is walkable. I find it a really relaxing & fun place to be. I find London exhausting!

I've only been once, for a 2-night thing with a group of us from work, and I loved it.

I thought the people were really friendly, and I love the accent. We went to Chinatown for a meal on the first night, it was terrific.

Some of the others in the group I was with found it a bit too busy though, so we ended up having that old MN favourite, "picky bits" in our hotel on the second night.

Finally one that's not just an excuse to slag off Londoners! I will not comment as I find it rude being cruel about where people live

Also do love the way some have to get a London dig in on here 😂😂😂

@Mamamovingnorth

Manchester is fully depressing. Satellite towns near Manchester are the most depressing places in the uk. I’m from one. It’s a place utterly devoid of any culture of community other than football and a string of terrible bands.

Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds are all infinity better in every way.

Is there more than one Manchester??

It’s so interesting how people have such different opinions and experiences. I’ve lived in both Manchester and london and visited manchester a lot since I left and hand on heart I have never felt unsafe. The worst I’ve felt was in Liverpool when a big fight broke up next to us in a club (however I love Liverpool and wouldn’t hesitate to go again! It was just a bad experience). I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere I’d categorically call ‘a dump’ or horrible in the world! Good and bad bits everywhere. To me manchester has amazing architecture and buildings- not the same scale as london but still great. I’d love to move back but my job keeps me in london!

I really don't like Manchester and only go there if I have to for work.

I love Liverpool - but I am concerned at what is happening there. They already lost their Heritage status, and if developments are not kept in check many of the things people don't like about Manchester will be true of Liverpool too.

The level of poverty and homelessness in both is terrible. Decades of neglect and underinvestment.

My favourite cities are London (to visit - I wouldn't want to love there), Cardiff, Liverpool, York (but avoid at weekends as the stag/hen parties have ruined it), Edinburgh, Glasgow, Chester.

I'm astonished by some of these comments. I think it's an amazing city! The history and Victorian architecture are breathtaking. Love the cafés, restaurants, and bars. Public transport is great and not expensive. Lovely people. Great shopping, both city centre and Trafford Centre. Wonderful concert venues. I love it!

I can’t believe his many people are insisting the Newcastle is a better city than Manchester. Newcastle is tiny and really a medium sized town with a superiority complex. There’s nothing there. The entire country is full of coast and countryside so being able to leave the city and visit that is hardly a unique feature of the city.

Public transport is great and not expensive.

Ever been on a bus on Oxford Road at 8am in term time?
Tram prices are ridiculous - £3.80 single from the city centre to Withington. In London it costs £3.20 from the centre to Brixton, £2.60 off peak.

I can't stand the place, personally

@southeastdweller it's all relative I suppose. Where I live is £7 return on the (infrequent and unreliable) bus to town and it's only about 4 miles. Public transport in all big cities seems amazing to me