Deciding where to live in the UK (causing family drama)

[JobsNDrama]

Hi everyone,I am new to this so please be gentle!I have recently been offered two different job opportunities and I am really struggling to decide which one to take.
Adding to this, my decision is causing heightened tensions at home - I am currently living with family in order to save for a deposit for a mortgage.
The two roles are practically identical in terms of salary (about 25K per annum) and responsibilities.However, they are based in two very different cities in the UK.Job A is based in Wakefield (public sector job in a small team)
Job B is based in Sale near Manchester (again public sector, but slightly larger team)
Both jobs are great, so the decision is purely down to location.I would be immensely grateful if anyone can share their wisdom on this matter!Which city is better in terms of quality of life, affordability and getting on the housing ladder?
My family, however, would like me to take a private sector job near Canary Wharf.The position comes with a small increase in salary, but I doubt this would get me very far in London.We are currently living near Buckinghamshire and they would like me to commute on a daily basis.I am reluctant to take this position (which is upsetting to my family) as the commute would be in excess of 1.5 hours.Finding a place in London would swallow up most of my salary and I find living in London beyond stressful.
However, my family believes London is better for career progression as it is the capital. They view it as a better place for networking opportunities for me.To make matters worse, I have just had to spend an entire weekend with a strange family friend who bragged about her success in London. She is an avid networker and has been able to secure a well-paid position in London.
AIBU to move to the north?

Your family aren't going to be the ones living your life. Absolutely go with one of the two you actually want! (I have no advice on which place of those is nicer though sorry)

How long have you got before you have to decide? If there's a time, I'd do what a PP suggested and go and visit Sale, Manchester and Wakefield. You might prefer to live in Manchester and commute to Sale by tram, depending on what you're looking for.

You're going to struggle on £25k in London unless you're willing to flat share and live in some of the cheap areas.

If you live at home and commute 3+ hours a day, that's going to take up a decent chunk of your salary (think £3-5k plus for an annual ticket) and your life... you'll be exhausted and won't be able to do much in the evenings.

Wakefield is fab. £25K will go a LOT further oop north, OP and you will get onto the property market faster (if that is your wish).

Coffeekisses... that was uncalled for.

I used to live in Manchester and visited Sale frequently. It's nice enough, but you wouldn't need to live there - it's well connected by public transport. There's plenty going on in Manchester - you won't be bored. Tbh I regret moving from Manchester to London.

Sale is lovely. I wouldn't live in London even if it offered a massive salary (which it would have to to even vaguely afford to live). I've only seen part of Wakefield and it seemed grim but I was on a bus at night.

DH used to do a similar commute – from Buckinghamshire to the City. He says there isn't enough money in the world to convince him to do that again 5 days a week, though he might consider it for 2 days a week.

If you can afford to live in London, that's a different kettle of fish, we both loved doing that pre-kids. But it doesn't sound like you're particularly keen on that idea.

A huge chunk of your salary would be eaten up by your commuting costs - have you looked at how much that would cost? A salary of 25K with an expensive commute would be madness IMO.

I live near Wakefield and it's fine, nothing special but affordable, you'll find some decent property for a reasonable price. I'd avoid the city centre as it's a bit run down and full of immigrants, but there are some lovely towns and villages in the surrounding areas. I've lived here all my life and there's plenty to do and decent shops. I'm happy being here.

Absolutely go to Sale.

It's a no-brainer for people who know both areas.

Do you have a partner, or children? If not, you only need to please yourself. In those circumstances, I’d choose Manchester; it’s a fab city.

I've lived in both London and Manchester. You will live better on 25k in Sale than on 40k in London. Sale is an expensive suburb but really near to more affordable places for a quick and cheap commute.

Can't comment on Wakefield, other than to say that Hepworth Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the mining museum all make brilliant days out, which doesn't help you much!

When you say family, do you mean your partner and children (whose opinions on where to live need to be given equal weight), or your parents and siblings (who need to mind their own business)?

Don't take a job in London if you don't like London.

You can build a great career and life in Leeds or Manchester so either northern option is feasible. I wouldn’t bother with London unless there was the prospect of earning a lot more money very quickly.

I grew up in Sale and my mum still lives there so I go there a lot (under normal circumstance).

It has great transport links into Manchester and the metro means that the whole area is well connected so you don’t even have to live IN Sale itself (although it’s a very nice area). It has good motorway links, the M6, M56 etc.

There are lots of green spaces within a short drive / train journey - Peak District, Cheshire Plains, North Wales is only an hour or so away.

I don’t know Wakefield but having lived both North and South, I moved back up North for a reason!

Life is an awful lot easier if your mortgage is lower. I'd go north. London life is good but can be hard if you're not a big earner. I would also think about where you fit in. Local government is different to Canary Wharf I'd imagine.

Used to have to go to Wakefield regularly - pretty drive and countryside, but the city felt very down at heel. Dont know Sale particularly but I live near Manchester and it is an amazing place.

Manchester would absolutely be my choice. Businesses are there, opportunities are there, there’s stuff going on.
It’s where london was 30/40 years ago when you could afford to live a nice commute away on a normal wage.

Look at the average wage vs average house prices and what you can buy.

North North North! I am public sector and you can have a great quality of life in the North that you wouldn't be able to afford in London. 3 hours a day commuting also sounds miserable, its not like you would be able to enjoy what London has to offer on your salary or with that commute. Out of your choices I think I would choose Sale, you could live in Manchester and have a riot. Leeds is also a fantastic city but Wakefield is a bit further, it's fine but it's not as good as Leeds. Manchester, you won't look back! Hey if we're all wrong and ypur family and theor weird London obsession turns out to be what you wanted you can always change your mind, I suspect you won't though

Manchester is better for career progression than Wakefield imo

I’m north Manchester and retired public service. I was born in the north west but have lived north/south and elsewhere.
It’s personal choice but I’d go north. I know more about Manchester/Sale than Wakefield so won’t comment on Wakefield

25k will go much further around Manchester than in London. Career opportunities in public service are good.
Manchester is a great city. Andy Burnham working to address the impact of austerity on drugs/homelessness which are evident in our lovely city,
South Manchester, including Sale has a great cheap tram/bus service. Sale and Altrincham good. When you visit, try the food in Alti market, fabulous
Manchester has a great history, the Bridgewater hall replaced the Free Trade for music. The northern quarter, Ancoats -it’s the best city. Plus we have wonderful football

I live in London and I think you should go north. Manchester is an amazing city and so much more affordable right now. I bet you'll thrive there. Plus it does sound as though some distance between you and your family might be healthy! They shouldn't be dictating you take a job to suit them.

Sale for sure, look on Rightmove, loads of flats available in Sale.