Living in Liverpool vs Manchester: Which would you choose?

[UnderTheFridge]

I’m planning a move in the near future and I’ve been pretty set on a smaller UK city but various things have making me contemplate if I should consider Manchester or Liverpool.

Personally I preferred Liverpool when visiting but I’ve only been to Manchester once and I’m curious to know which people prefer?

I’m not a nightlife person at all and I don’t drink but I do enjoy theatre, museums, a variety of restaurants and a good range of shops. An area that I feel relatively safe in is a must.

Which city would you choose if you had a choice?

TIA

A suburb of Manchester that is accessible by tram. I don't have a car and have no wish to, trams run more in the evening.

More cultural interests of mine in Manchester, and two friends moved there many years ago.

Liverpool 100%

Lived in South Manchester 40 years.

Liverpool.

Manchester is the biggest shit hole.

Agree with this. Crosby and Blundellsands lovely houses and access to the sea

Liverpool, while large I feel you can cover the city centre in a day if needed, fairly comfortably. I've spent a fair bit of time in Liverpool and never felt uncomfortable anywhere. Manchester is huge and far to expansive for me. Though as a result does have more theatre/music and events going on. The plus of being in either city, is that you can travel to the other one, in just over half an hour or so so pretty easily.

Liverpool. Manchester's a shit-hole.

Liverpool - the city centre is much nicer, the architecture is stunning and it's on the coast. They're also very close so even if you're in one it's easy to visit the other.

Liverpool. It's fab. Never liked Manchester.

Thanks all. I really appreciate your thoughts/opinions.

Neither. I would choose Chester - easy access to both Manchester and Liverpool and much prettier than both.

Manchester. Liverpool is always blooming freezing with winds off the sea.

Liverpool everytime. But as others have suggested whatabout Chester?. Personally with your budget I would be on the coast!

Manchester better for culture imo. Great for art, music, fashion, sport, entertainment and theatre etc.

The docks are great in Liverpool and parts of the city centre though I find it a little depressing too. It feels a bit ‘edge of the world’ and a bit insular. Sorry Liverpool!

Liverpool-

I would say Liverpool - formby/ blundellsands and freshfield are beautiful places to live and short train to the city. Love it and would move back in a heart beat. Friendly people and just generally gorgeous place.

Coincidentally Chester is the smaller city that I’d just about decided upon but I’m now debating if I should go with one of the larger cities , for various reasons that I won’t bore you with.

I've lived in both.

Didn't really like Manchester but loved Liverpool. Great atmosphere, loads to do, smart city centre, on the coast so nice beaches and walks. And Liverpudlians are the best people!

I always found Manchester to have a nasty 'edge' to it. Bad vibes- hard to explain really. Also constant building work. And it always rained.

Chester is very different to Manchester and Liverpool! It definitely has everything you're looking - but feels smaller, safer, bit more picturesque? And £700k would still get you a stunning property.

I’ve lived in both, though live further north in the hills now.
They are quite different. Manchester always seems more buzzing with lots going on. It’s much better connected to other parts of the country. You can get on a motorway or a train to anywhere very easily. It also has great countryside around it, not just the Peak District as mentioned but the moors if you go east. The airport of course.
Liverpool is more architecturally beautiful, especially round the waterfront. It’s not so easy to get to other parts of the country, it feels a little on-the edge. The trains out are mostly dire, slow & seem to stop at every station . You have the coast, but no hilly countryside round about. The people are lovely, friendly with humour like nowhere else. So really it’s swings & roundabouts, depends where your interests lie.

Chester is pretty but very small town-yes I know it’s a city. Shopping isn’t very good-lots closed down but you can eat pretty well. Has a theatre/cinema/cafe/library but tends to get small shows. Honestly, personally I’d go for Manchester as it has a great city centre-it’s the most ‘London’ like of all the cities mentioned. I’d look at West Didsbury for your budget. Why don’t you rent and spend time in each district to see which floats your boat?

I much prefer Liverpool. Im not keen on the vibe of Manchester

Liverpool is so much nicer, lots of parks and culture and close to the countryside and motorways

This. I feel happy when I visit Liverpool, I feel like I can't wait to leave when I visit Manchester.

I love Manchester but would choose Liverpool for the reasons people have already given.

I’d choose Liverpool with that budget and look in the L18/Sefton Park/Calderstones area. Or if you like to be near the beach L23 Crosby is really nice too.