to think it's grim up North?

[threefeethighandrising]

We are going to relocate in the next few years, and Manchester is a serious contender for DP for jobs.

If DP was to get work there then we would live somewhere semi-rural and commutable.

But ... the only experiences I have of Manchester and the surrounding areas are though my ex. He was an arsehole of the highest order, and the many people he introduced me to (his family and friends, in Manchester & Glossop) were the most painfully dysfunctional, damaged people I have ever had the misfortune to meet.

My opinion of the area is that it's the last place on earth I'd want to live, and my skin crawls when I think of the time I spent there.

But it can't all be like this can it? Surely IABU and my experiences with my ex are clouding my judgement? Surely there's a good (great?) side that I've just not seen?

Can you sell it to me?

I grew up in the North-East, and went to university in Manchester. I live in London now because of work (mine and DPs) but truly hate it, and would love more than anything in the world to move back to the North.

Everyone will have different anecdotes, but personally I've seen far more crime and deprivation in London than in any of the areas of the North I knew. I grew up in quite a poor area of the NE as well.

More than half my northern town are southerners - move out of London for the schools. Might tell them all to go back ;) oh dear what about my dp? Collateral damage!

Manchester is where the south begins in my mind
There are some lovely areas of Manchester. Do your research and I'm sure you'll find a place you're happy with.
My skin crawled when dh got a job close to London. Way too close in my mind.

DP is a native Londoner and had similar views on 'The North' - mostly out of ignorance as he'd never actually been there. He's changed his mind since being introduced to Manchester, York and Durham, and loved the Peak District, Dales and Lakes as much as I do. I think he'd imagined all British countryside being like the flat farmlands of Essex etc, and was amazed that there were such beautiful places just a few hours train/drive away!

It's horribly grim up north. All of it. Every single square mile. Nowhere in anyway suitable for a snobby, narrow-minded, delicate southerner.

BTW I love London too. I know there are some seriously deprived areas, but it's so full of wonderfulness too. It's a shame that some people hate it. Y'know, come round my manor and I'll show you the love.

I guess I'm just one of those weirdos who'll happily chat to anyone and stops to smell the flowers. No wonder that scary antisocial neighbour has started to avoid me.

Lets look at the material things. Cheshire, arguably the richest county in the UK. NW has the largest Ferrari ownership outside central London. The Queen owns 20,000acres around Dunsop Bridge (geographical centre) nr. Clitheroe. There is access to some stunning countryside in Cheshire/Lake and Peak Districts/Yorks Dales. In North Mcr, lots of nice areas around the edges of Bolton,Oldham, Wigan. These don't sound glamorous but there are some lovely places on the outskirts. Post where your husband will be working as you want to avoid crazy trips on the M56 or M6. Some areas do get hit by snow more eg Saddleworth area so that mmight be an issue in winter

I'm from the North and now living down South. I love where I live now, but I'd definitely go back up North without any qualms if there was a reason to.

I live in Manchester (centre of town), but am from Liverpool originally. I love Manchester (and Liverpool). Friendly folk.

If your dh commute is 1.5 hours there are some lovely rural market towns around the area. Nantwich is lovely (lived there for 5 years). Good schools, low crime rate and a good place to live.

Oh, YABU to think its grim up north.

It should be a strong indicator that you have insulted a significant proportion of Mumsnet yet they (the Northerners) have been quite happy to come on here and help you. I hope you feel suitably ashamed.

It's a bit grim up north atm. It was lovely this morning. Who stole my sun? You dirty southerners have nicked it haven't you?

On the brightside we rarely get droughts up here

Its still nice in Lancashire...DH just phoned from Durham, avoiding leaving car because of torrential rain....ha ha, a change from the usual West/East divide (never mind North-South ... west is warmer but wetter, east is dry but colder)

Yes, no lack of water up here.

I just had another flick through and I can't see any serious anti-north posts

Are there any, or are you imagining them?

Why did you have to go and mention the 't' word Grimma? It wasn't torrential a minute ago, it was just raining, now it's pissing cats and dogs and I have to go on the nursery run.

I got my summer dress and everything out this morning

Op Im a Manc and I can assure you your experiance so far of how Great Manchester is has been severly clouded by your Ex.

Manchester is a city and like all cities (including London) has its good and very bad parts (glossop is a run down council estate in the middle of know where)

I now live in Altrincham which is a very nice, semi-poshish town 10 miles from the city centre with great rail, Metro and bus links into the centre.

I have lived in Somerset / London / Kent and Essex and I can assure you Manchester has always been the most friendly place I have ever lived.

Good luck.

Sorry - blame my DH!

Can I just say (no offence meant to any Northerners), I live in the North East and I hate it!

We live in complete isolation just off the A1. It's such a faff as we HAVE to drive on the A1 to even get a pint of milk, no local shops to walk to. Everything seems so spaced out up here, our nearest decent shopping centre is about 45 minutes away.

It does have some plus sides though, I love York and Harrogate.

I'm sure you can get that sort of problem in many places though - sounds like you chose the wrong place for you, some people love the 'spaced outness'. You'd have probably been happier in one of those towns or somewhere like Northallerton or Thirsk

DH reckoned that Manchester would be grim (having done a crappy 6 month work placement there with a company he hated) until he visited it with me. Suddenly he realised that you could afford a bigger house and garden, drive into the middle of the city and park there (coming from London, this was endlessly exciting for him), go to a whole choice of theatres, or take the train out into the Peak District for a day walking in the mountains. Crime rates where we lived were very low as well.

I LOVE the North West.

grimma it is indeed chucking down it down here in durham city, horrible horrible weather!

stealth I used to live near west cornforth, affectionately known as 'doggie' for some reason??

I love living up north, so many things to do, lovely countryside especially around northumberland.

I do miss living in London as well though, normally go down for 3/4 weekends a year to catch up with olf friends etc

Did you know her? :o

Unfortunately I didn't get to choose where we live, DH's job dictates that. Nevermind we should be moving in the next year or so!

You'd be surprised how well-heeled some of the Norf is. We live in the south Lakes and you can't move for people living in big old houses and driving Disco 4s and shopping in Booths (which is a kind of northern Waitrose).

DH commutes to Manchester 3 days a week (its an hour and 10 minutes door to door).

We lived in London and Cambridge before but I grew up up here and am so glad we were able to come back. We are so lucky - no worries about crime, the schools are all fantastic, beautiful countryside etc.

And Manchester is a great city that has changed in feel a lot over the last 10 years. I used to visit my BF at college there 10 years ago and it was quite grim. But now there are so many flashy new buildings, the cool trams and shops/restaurants - it feels really metro-cool. One wonders how they afforded it all?! Its where we go for our concerts and shopping and things like that.