Can't decide between Manchester or London!

[runnerbean09]

Currently live in Manchester. I went to uni here, lived elsewhere (midlands) for a bit then moved back last year. I'm not sure about the city and have been thinking about moving to London.

Pros of Manchester
Can afford to buy a house here - that's my biggest influencer so far. I'm quite fed up of sharing.
Have reasonably well paid job - 34k current salary
Makes sense to settle here as it is affordable
Haven't made a huge effort socially

Cons of Manchester
Have struggled to find friends here. At my age people seem settled down and I'm not anywhere near that
Don't have the London experience
Salaries overall are lower

I don't have family in either city so that doesn't sway my decision.

Am 28, single and work in advertising.

Wwyd?

I have lived in both although admittedly a few years ago. I loved london

What would be different in London that would make you into a super outgoing party animal?

London, definitely. There is nowhere like it. I was forced to move out after 18 years, and it felt like life had ended. I'd give anything to go back.

It's really not true about people in London being unfriendly - and so many interesting and talented people end up there, so your pool of potential friends and dates will be huge.

I was about to say that your focus seems to be less about the work and more about social life, friends and partner. Your last post just confirms it really. I'd stay where you are. Manchester has a great social scene and you just need to find yourself a going out buddy and you will soon meet someone.

I've lived in London my whole life. I will never leave. I love it.

If I could have a social life and know I would meet someone in Manchester then I would stay mainly because I like living alone and fundamentally am pretty careful with money. London scares me financially.

Nightlife in Manchester is absolutely amazing and you could definitely meet people. Dh and myself live in greater Manchester but not actually 'in Manchester'. I go their all the time though with the kids to the museums etc and I absolutely love it, would happily live there if the option was there. We went clubbing there a few months ago (very rare kid free night) and it was amazing and by the end of the night there was a group of about ten of us all chatting, having a laugh. I think you just need to put yourself out there more. Moving won't make things happen

I wouldn’t say London is an easy place to date tbh! I have lived in both cities, I think you’re enjoyment of a place depends on the people around you. It took me 2 years to feel at home in London, I didn’t like it when I first moved. Maybe you will love Manchester if you give it more time?

London is abit of a trap as you make a life there then can’t afford to stay so have to leave it or suck up a lower standard of living (unless you are wealthy obviously). Its years of should I shouldn’t I leave conversations you won’t have to have if you stay put!

Something for you to bear in mind- I have a few friends who moved to London in their 30s because they felt that their Manchester life collapsed and died when most people started having babies. Then in London they found that they had to live miles out as the centre is so expensive, they struggled to meet people, and their social lives are still fairly constrained and fairly significantly based on travelling back up north to see the old friends they thought were no longer reliable.

You don't sound like you actually want to move to London. You just want a partner and/or more clubbing. With that in mind, I'd stay put and try internet dating.

I think you're probably right that I just need to make more effort. Perhaps the question should be how the hell do I go about it?! And as pp have said if I make a life for myself in London eventually I will probably have to leave.

My ex tells me to move to London but it's easy for him to say in his super nice house, massive friendship group and nice lifestyle. My reality might be different.

London. World class city with far better weather than Manchester.

I recently moved from London to Manchester. Everyone should experience London. London is a city with people who want to meet like minded people. Move.
I'm now in Manchester with a bigger house and 2.4 kids. But I do miss London

Nightlife in Manchester is absolutely amazing and you could definitely meet people. Dh and myself live in greater Manchester but not actually 'in Manchester'. I go their all the time though with the kids to the museums etc and I absolutely love it, would happily live there if the option was there.

Totally this! Love the Northern Quarter. I've lived all over the UK and Manchester is one of my favourites so far.

London for the better weather and it's less depressing as a result.

Join Social Circle a Manchester based social and activity group- it's brilliant for meeting new friends and doing things you wouldn't usually on your own - I met lots of friends there and my DH you have to give it a good try though and really make the effort- good luck

If OP were concerned about warmer weather I imagine she'd choose Singapore...

OP what sort of thing are you interested in and which area do you live in? I'd probably start with more work networking function things if those are available in your industry, and OLD.

What are your interests / hobbies?

Are there opportunities to do more outside work networking events? Even if they aren't the sort of thing you want to do, you get to meet people and eventually you would almost certainly meet like minded people, with whom you then develop a friendship where you meet up separately and go clubbing or whatever

You would probably need to earn another £20k per year before tax to cover the extra housing and travelling costs you would incur, and more again if your reason is to go to more events.

In your shoes it would be Manchester I would choose. It may not be England's second city for population but it has seemed to me to be very much ahead of anywhere except London for culture.

I moved from Manchester to London. I'd move back again in a heartbeat. Don't do it OP!

Manchester! A friendlier London with affordable housing and better music.

Why do you think you haven't made an effort in Manchester, OP? Would you be more likely to do that in London? And does all of this have anything to do with your ex? (Might be completely off the mark there, but you've mentioned him a couple of times).

Ignore your ex’s views for a start!

London all the way!

Incredible city.
Something different to do every single day of your life. World class galleries, festivals, entertainment, nightlife, food, drink, public spaces, parks, theatres, shows, parties, comedy, sports events, shops, and anything else you could ask for.

At the end of the day you get out whatever you put in so just give your decision 100% whatever you end up choosing x