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?

Temporary I know exactly what you mean

Buttwing - how can you not spell the name of the place you live in??

I moved to Bowdon after 15 years in London 18 months ago and love it - there is loads to do and so close to central Manchester, and have found the local community to be really friendlyz
But then again I work so don't spend all day in my PJs waiting for prep school to finish.

Hahahaha I'm also giving out my very first OP

I love Manchester there's loads to do, there's always something on music, theatre, museums, festivals, parades and you're an hour away from Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham.

I really don't understand there being no where to walk compared to central London where there is so much outside space?!
Just local to hale - Lymm, various canals, Dunham, the pennine way goes right through, Bramhall, Heaton park there's also the sculpture trail around North Manchester and that's before you even get out to the peaks or snowdonia and the lake district

And that bollocks about no one talking to you because you're foreign

I'd say you just didn't want to like it and you're a snob.

Glad you're happy in London now.

Only read the OP.
But I hated Manchester. I lived there for 2.5yrs and was miserable. I made some friends. My job was atrocious (awful boss) which no doubt coloured my views. But despite living in a nice enough part, I hated it. I hated the city centre. I struggle to think of anything positive about the place.

didn't realise it was a zombie thread !

OP- I'm from London originally and lived there until I was 20. Then I loved to Liverpool for uni. I only intended to do my 3 years then move back home. At first I found it a real culture shock- I couldn't believe how different life was up here in the north, much more relaxed, friendly people (in fact my first week living here 2 cars let me cross the same road at the same time, I was literally shocked). After the first 2 terms (so by easter) I knew I wanted to stay here longer). I met my now dh when I came back after Easter break, and as things progressed we decided to get married and have a baby.
We moved back to London for a year so I could be close to my family when the baby came, but I hated living there again. I literally counted down the months until we came home. We came home 9 months ago as a family and I couldn't be happier. In fact, I wouldn't live in London again if you paid me to. Liverpool is home now, always will be.
(BTW I'm not saying there isn't friendly people who let you cross the road in plenty of other places).
But it sounds like you're happier back in London op, good for you that you're happier there. Though o do think moving to a new place takes a lot of getting used to.

Ha ha autocorrect was not my friend!! I can assure you I do!

I loved living in London, Zone 2, more than any other city, even Galway in Ireland. I had loads of visitors in both. I like Manchester though, much more than Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds, Yorkshire, Plymouth, or Birmingham. However my go to place for retirement will be Exeter.

I've not been to Scotland yet!

Hale is not the "nicest" part of Manchester, it is one of the most wag-friendly, sterile , suburban, "new money", middle class parts. Get out of there.
If you like all the Wag shit, but with more hustle and bustle, go to Alderley Edge or Wilmslow.
Have you ever taken the children to Wythenshawe park? It's not far away from you and there's horse riding, tennis courts etc in addition to the usual playground and football pitch. Manchester museum have loads of free and interesting things for children, as does the Palace theatre, the Whitworth Gallery and HOME.
If you like Polenta organic hipster artisan foodie type wankery, there is Chorlton and West Disdbury.
Manchester is also great for live bands and I'm happy to recommend bars and restaurants for all tastes and budgets.

I'm sorry you don't like us, I love Manc.

It sounds a little bit as if you're sulking a little bit and not allowing yourself to like it. You need to accept it or move to London.

It is really hard when you don't like the area that you live in. I can completely relate to that. However, you should try to make friends, it makes all the difference. Also, make your home look like a home, you're just cutting off your nose there!

Haven't RTFT but wanted to laugh at the OP thinking Hale is one of the nicest bits of Manchester.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

HA HA

HA HA HA HA HA HA

That is all.

(Ill ignore the rude things youve said about Manchester. Im a southerner through and thorugh, but love Manchester and the people).

Anyway, your post is really sad and I do feel for you - do you think you could be depressed? If after 4 (?) years you havent really made any good friends or found something you like doing up there, havent unpacked or spent hours deliberating over a paint colour for your lounge - it sounds to me as if youre stuck in a pit and not able to pull yourself out of it. Your DH isnt supporting you, despite his promises and youre stuck at home with young children, which is difficult at the best of times. Youre missing out on life and you dont seem able to help yourself, perhaps a trip to your GP?

Are you joking about Liverpool? I am stuck living in London because of DP's job. I yearn to go back, buy a lovely house and be near family.

LaPharisiene, so what do you consider a nicer area of Manchester? Just curious...

So you live in easy travelling distance of Liverpool and Manchester with museums, restaurants, bars, shopping, near loads of parks and the like mentioned above, within easy reach of N Wales, the Peaks and the Lakes and you're bored?? I don't think the problem lies with where you're living.

I think all those things people are saying make Manchester and its surrounding areas great need to be viewed through the eyes of a teenager with no money and no transport.

Walking shopping restaurants bars and museums are all old peoples pursuits.

I found for those who were my age that loved Manchester there was a lot of alcohol involved

I think all those things people are saying make Manchester and its surrounding areas great need to be viewed through the eyes of a teenager with no money and no transport.

How is this different to London? Surely no money and no transport applies to teenagers anywhere.

But so many more free things to do in London.

And transport is free on the buses

Hi OP. I remember your original thread. I'm glad you're happier now. I've been in Manchester for 16 years and would love to live in London. I think you need to be fairly well off to make the best of it though.
I think I'll win the lottery, move to Mayfair and become best friends with Nigella. Will update if that happens!

While I love Manchester, I must admit I understand that it doesn't feel like a large city of that's what you like. I've lived in several large cities abroad - Barcelona, Hong Kong, some in China and Japan - as well as London. Manchester can't compete with those for buzz.

Corialanusburnt 😂

I couldn't live in London again, but I like to live reasonably close by so we can go back for the day when we feel like it. Manchester doesn't appeal to me at all, I've only been twice but it seemed very run down and threatening. I don't blame you for wanting to go back, out of the two I would much rather be in London.

Exactly! There is no buzz. Everything seems mundaine. I never felt that there is an adventure waiting for me around the corner.
There is a theory why London state schools are doing so well - there is so much aspiration on a child's doorstep.

No the reason London schools seem to do so well is the shit-ton of money they get in comparison to the rest of the country. Something that is likely to change significantly when the new funding formula comes in. Let's see how well London schools sustain their results then.