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!!

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

Newcastle always strikes me as a more vibrant city than Manchester though.

It's far more beautiful than Manchester (sorry Mancunians but it is) with the river running through and stunning Jesmond Dene valley park, and all the gorgeous immaculately preserved sandstone Grainger Town area around Grey Street.

I agree @gingerhills. I went to Manchester expecting to be wowed but was underwhelmed. It was the reverse with Newcastle.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

I agree *@gingerhills*. I went to Manchester expecting to be wowed but was underwhelmed. It was the reverse with Newcastle.

Manchester met my expectations

And I hadn’t remotely expected to be “wowed”

My only memory of Newcastle is the biting wind and rain

As a soft southerner, it was horrific.

I'm unimpressed by it. Have lived in Glasgow, Sheffield and Leeds, so very comfortable with northern grit, but it's nowhere near as friendly as Liverpool or Birmingham. Architecture meh. Still living off past glories 30 years beyond its cultural heyday. Plus rain. Always rain.

I love it! People are so friendly!

About ten years ago I was waiting for a tram with my husband and a tram worker came up and started chatting. He explained to us how to use the tram without paying!

I live in an expensive commuter town south of London, and people are very ‘nice’ but I’ve recently noticed that the niceness only extends to people like them. Our neighbour, who everyone would describe as ‘lovely’ was actually shouting at her cleaners in the street last Friday as they were late. It was five past twelve, and they normally arrive at 12 (my study looks over the road. I’m not (just) nosy.

I’d far rather live in Manchester.

Newcastle is indeed v cold and windy.

He explained to us how to use the tram without paying!

Did he explain how to make yourselves actually invisible when a whole gang of ticket inspectors swarm onto the tram, issue fixed penalty notices and throw you off - to jeers from the other travellers whose journey you would have delayed?

He did?

Excellent individual.

* He explained to us how to use the tram without paying!*

Really scrapping the barrel if you’re giving is that as an example of Manchester friendliness

@Comedycook

I went once....I like it. I was very shocked by the levels of homelessness

It's a bit better now. A focus for Andy Burnham.

I'm from Glasgow. Lived in Manchester (alright, technically Salford, but LITERALLY over the river) for about six months in 2011 and I bloody loved it - I liked the vibe, I like Mancs, it was great.

Went back recently for the first time in about ten years and I'm really sorry about how it was looking.

I was actually quite scared walking around the city centre and, as I say, I'm from Glasgow and have lived in London/Paris/Tokyo - I'm no stranger to a big scary city.

Oh, and yes, the rain. As I say, I'm from Glasgow, but holy hell, does it ever stop raining in Manchester?

@Edmontine

He explained to us how to use the tram without paying!

Did he explain how to make yourselves actually invisible when a whole gang of ticket inspectors swarm onto the tram, issue fixed penalty notices and throw you off - to jeers from the other travellers whose journey you would have delayed?

He did?

Excellent individual.

What a cringeworthy imaginary scenario. Clearly you don’t get the tram much.

@Edmontine this never happens 😂

@AffIt

Oh, and yes, the rain. As I say, I'm from Glasgow, but holy hell, does it ever stop raining in Manchester?

To be fair we haven't had much rain recently, praying for a downpour soon.

It’s fine! You do need to know the city well, and the centre us just the typical centre, I don’t visit much. I live about 4 miles out from the centre, and we’re happy here. There’s a huge amount of history, museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, shopping from the independent shops to the mainstream. There are excellent travel links, train, team, airport all on the doorstep, a choice of decent hospitals that you can do the choose and book things with. All 3 of my children go to different outstanding schools, and there’s green space aplenty if you know where. Housing in decent areas isn’t cheap but not as expensive as London, and London is only a couple of hours away on the train. Right on the doorstep is the Peak District and Pennine Way, the Lakes are not far, nor are other cities worth visiting. It does rain though.

@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!!

Yep all of this, you need to know where to go. Amazing events on an escape to freight Island, hatch and home currently plus some great gigs at Matt and phreds and band on the wall. But none of these venues are obvious! Matt and phreds is a proper back Street jazz bar... Very hidden!

@gluenotsoup

It’s fine! You do need to know the city well, and the centre us just the typical centre, I don’t visit much. I live about 4 miles out from the centre, and we’re happy here. There’s a huge amount of history, museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, shopping from the independent shops to the mainstream. There are excellent travel links, train, team, airport all on the doorstep, a choice of decent hospitals that you can do the choose and book things with. All 3 of my children go to different outstanding schools, and there’s green space aplenty if you know where. Housing in decent areas isn’t cheap but not as expensive as London, and London is only a couple of hours away on the train. Right on the doorstep is the Peak District and Pennine Way, the Lakes are not far, nor are other cities worth visiting. It does rain though.

Sorry meant to quote this post!