To hate living in Manchester (and North in general)

[ILikeMilk]

Moved here four years ago to be with DH, and I still cannot get used to it. We are in a nicest area of Manchester, and it is still feels very provincial and boring. I dream about living in London, but DH does not want to look for a new job. I feel like there is no point and don?t want to decorate the house, make friends, etc, I just fantasise about being in London every single day. There is not much to do here, no nice streets or galleries, not much to do on the weekends as a family. I went to London this weekend, it was so painful to come back. Does anybody else feel this way?

I've lived in both - Manchester for 3 years and London for 10 years. I'm now live in the south west. I would not live in either place again (love/hate relationship with both), but if I had to choose it would be Manchester - smaller, less hetic,less crowded, surrounded by some beautiful, easily accessible countryside. Anyway, someone once gave me a hint about feeling a bit more settled to where you live and that is studying the history of the place. Even if you're not very interested in history in general, you can get a real insight into the place where you live and feel a bit more connected.

montysorry So who did you think the hat museum would be interesting for? As it happens, the People's History museum is interesting for people who like history...

Get ye to the Hat Museum!

Sod off back to London, look in the estate agent windows, laugh at the bonkers prices, come back up north and realise how wonderful it is.

I lived in the "Golden Triangle" for 5 years and found it difficult - we were relocated for DH's job, so I was there as part of his work package! My family and friends were all in the south and I did feel rather isolated as I had to make new friends.
But, there were many excellent things about living there, e.g.

1. Excellent schools
2. Easy access to wonderful countryside - great to be able to drive into the Peak District for a Sunday afternoon walk
3. Great cultural opportunities in Manchester - theatre, museums, art galleries, concerts (I sang in Halle Choir which was a great experience). There was so much to do at the weekends!
4. Excellent housing and far less commuting time.

At the time, I thought it was rather provincial, but my experience of living there has made me realise that there is far more to life than London and the south east.

I was quite surprised by Manchester

Having got off the train there, expecting the natives to be covered in woad and it to be cultural desert ...

I found Harvey Nicks, lots of nice boutiques, bars aplenty, Barbirolli, reasonable (albeit limited) theatre, masses of good places to eat, lots of nice places close by.

I don't know Hale but surely the issue is that you don't like Hale. What about a posh village in Cheshire? Would that work?

Just had a thought... Can you imagine Carrie and Co from Sex and the City enjoying Manchester? Something tells me not.. Cant picture them in Stockport being thrilled with the Hat museum.

Oh shut up. Comparing yourself with Carrie Bradshaw indeed. You're getting very tedious now.

I've waded through this entire thread, and I don't know why anyone is continuing to try to help the OP out. She clearly won't take any advice or suggestions on board, so what's the point?

Bupcake, how could I! But I did spent a few years living in New York and I can assure you there is much more to do than in Manchester.

I've tried (and failed) to imagine Carrie Bradshaw popping into the Battered Cod.

Yeah that's New York. Did you do zero research before you moved there? You gave two options; leave your husband and move back to London. Understand that one cannot afford the lifestyle one is accustomed to in
living in London but can't have it all, can we? OR make the best of what you have. Stop projecting all this negative energy onto your kids and potential friends. They can smell it a mile off.

No, YANBU - it's grim up north

There is nowhere like London.

Give up on the OP, can we just talk about how great Manchester is?

ILikeMilk..I really think you need a plan to move back. You are allowed to dislike where you live but to say it out loud makes people's hackles rise. (Most of the people on this thread, I have noticed, grew up in the North so haven't experienced the longing for their hometown..I said 'most', before anyone jumps on me).

I get what you mean, I really do. Get a plan, Stan.

I also couldn't imagine Carrie Bradshaw wiping up baby sick/snot off her Halston Heritage dress or attending Baby Bounce and Rhyme or even pushing a buggy.

Bet you couldn't imagine you'd be doing all those things when you lived in NY or London, IlikeMilk. Your life has changed, so either stop wallowing and make use of the suggestions on this thread or move back to London.

Thank you Mango! I had a good talk with DH and he came out clean and gave me the REAL reason why we cant move right now. It does make sense but still means we are stuck for at least another year over here. Argh!

Lizzy, I do push the buggy but I draw the line at Baby Bounce and Rhyme lol.

I do sometimes go to That London. I put my best straw hat on and tuck my pig under my arm.

Well you go and rent in London and your DH can join you in a year.

There. Solved.

The end.

So are you going to have (another) miserable year or are you going to dust yourself off and try and enjoy yourself?
Stop nitpicking and comparing and appreciate the place you're in. It's not London, no, but it isn't all bad.

er......Hale IS a posh village in Cheshire

i hate it here too - but am allowed to say it, I am from here - but we certainly don't live in Hale lol! I don't need beleedin Harvey Nichs etc (though admittedly would not like to live in London either) I want beaches and moors - my dream to move BACK to the south west..............sigh. And we will