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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To move from Cornwall to Manchester?

137 replies

totaketheplunge · 26/08/2023 11:16

I live in Cornwall and always have. I'm 26 and have a shared ownership 2 bedroom flat. I feel that I don't want to stay down here forever and I quite like the idea of moving to a big city (I'm a teacher so I can work anywhere) and starting a fresh, especially after an abusive relationship.

I've never been to Manchester, but I've been in a relationship with a Mancunian and love the accent, how welcoming they are etc. also you can get SO much more house for your money! I could trade my shared ownership flat for a 3 bed semi-detached!

Pros? Cons? Anyone who lives in Manchester who can recommend any specific areas to consider and what might make it a good move for a 26yo female.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Wotwotwotwotwot · 26/08/2023 12:28

I moved from Cornwall to Manchester years and years ago. It's a wonderful city but a long way from Cornwall if you have family down there. And I miss the sea! I've no regrets, my life here is wonderful - I definitely wouldn't move to Gorton though

Speakerbox · 26/08/2023 12:31

We used to live in Manchester - it’s a great city, lots going on, good nightlife, great restaurants, easy to get to Liverpool, Chester etc.
I would say go for it after spending some time there. We lived in what would be considered an ‘undesirable’ area (east manc) but we loved it & had no trouble, in fact, there was a great sense of community I’ve never experienced before (after living in more ‘well to do’ areas previously) lovely neighbours, 20 mins on the bus/10 mins on train, you were in town. It was our first house, so we have good memories.

Solmum1964 · 26/08/2023 13:08

My late 20s son moved to Manchester a few years ago and lives just the other side of the Ashton New Road in Oppenshaw. It seems to be an upcoming area - lots of new development.
He hasn't had any issues and regularly uses public transport to the city centre.
He had visited friends in Manchester before he moved up but hadn't really investigated the area. Just saw the house on Rightmove (Victorian terrace) and fell in love!

ThelmaBorden · 26/08/2023 13:12

Gorton?! from Cornwall? from the sublime to the undesirable - not exactly Didsbury then - take a selection of brollies, macs, galoshes, waterproof gloves, Streetview, research and leave your rose tinted specs in Cornwall.

If you say where in Manchester your man is from/lives that may help with comments.

Careerconfused · 26/08/2023 13:15

Abbey Hey/Gorton is one of the most deprived, roughest parts of Manchester. There's a lot of HMOs, drug and alcohol issues, high crime rate related to that and it's also a CSE hotspot. There's very little of interest in the area - a few traditional but quite rough pubs, takeaways, run down furniture shops... That's why the property is so cheap. The local secondary has a full time uniformed police officer on site, which should give you an idea. There are some lovely people of course, but the poverty in that area has a massive impact. It isn't exactly the most welcoming to new arrivals either, not if you've no links to the community. Manchester is great but you need to rethink your expectations.

chosenone · 26/08/2023 13:24

I'm a teacher who went down to Plymouth and then came back up to the North West, Stockport area. It is very different. Visit and see what you think. The house you have linked to is in a very undesirable area tbh.

How about Exeter or Bristol? Although they're very expensive? I built my search on job vacancies tbh. Depends what subject you are bit there's a national shortage of teachers, trouble is the vacancies can be in very difficult and challenging areas. Been there, done that, just about survived! 😅

Manchester is a very big but amazing city with a range of schools and areas to live in. On your budget you could start in a much smaller space centrally. Or live slightly further out West of the city? Be aware that commuting is very busy on the roads and factor that in. Whilst I'm on a roll maybe consider Sheffield. Some great schools there and a Fab city with lovely areas around it.

Ohmylovejune · 26/08/2023 13:25

I'm in Cornwall and my children, who were born and raised here, have all moved more North. They are close to your age.

North of Liverpool, York and Bristol.

They have lovely lives with decent careers and although they miss some things about Cornwall there's a lot of other things they gain in compensation. I love visiting and would happily move to any of them (albeit I'd pick a more rural town close by rather than the cities themselves).

They left for jobs and only learned about the areas once there. I wouldn't do that if I were buying a house but if you've got a job that you can move from and you will be renting or in a house share its not so risky.

My DD was so fed up with not having work after graduating (it took her about 4 months to secure a place) that when she was offered a dream job in Central Liverpool starting as soon as she wanted, she literally packed her suitcase with the minimum necessary to start, sorted a house share, and got on the train!

Good luck I fully understand. We would move in a heartbeat too but we have a house to sell so.have to be a bit more careful about it

Toddlerteaplease · 26/08/2023 13:29

Look at Liverpool instead. Much nicer!

ThelmaBorden · 26/08/2023 13:34

Have a job first? wherever you move - you wouldn’t want to work in a school
in Gorton and you absolutely wouldn’t want one of your own children attending

ActDottie · 26/08/2023 13:43

Go for it, it sounds exciting and like you need a fresh start.

Do you have any ties to Cornwall though? As Manchester to Cornwall is quite a long journey.

As others have suggested as well don’t buy immediately in Manchester rent for a bit first :) and maybe consider other cities too

Yajebbend · 26/08/2023 13:47

Do it! I’m a lot older but up for meals out and can show you the sights!

StillWantingADog · 26/08/2023 13:47

Well I wouldn’t move from Cornwall to Gorton. That would be a huge shock to the system! You need to look to the south of the city for the good areas, also Worsley in the west is nice but £££££.

hope you have a nice time when you come up here. It’s a great city generally but there is a huge disparity when it comes to how nice the different suburbs are.

StillWantingADog · 26/08/2023 13:49

Toddlerteaplease · 26/08/2023 13:29

Look at Liverpool instead. Much nicer!

Respectfully disagree
But there are lots of good things to say about liverpool, and there are some nice areas that are close to the action. Could be worth considering.

IndiganDop · 26/08/2023 13:57

OP you can't afford a 3 bed in Chorlton, Altrincham or Didsbury if you are looking at around 200k. Someone always comes on these threads to say they are a nice place to live. They are. They are also very pricey. This is the cheapest 3 bed in Chorlton that isn't up for auction. It's on a large council estate but at the better end!
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138662324?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

benfoldsfivefan · 26/08/2023 13:58

Gorton is a bit of a shit-tip, don't bother. In general I wouldn't recommend north or east Manchester or, in south Manchester, Longsight and Wythenshawe.

Could you look at 2 bedroom houses? You could get one in Levenshulme or Fallowfield for 200K or less.

BelindaBears · 26/08/2023 13:59

You’re 26, perfect time to move somewhere new! I’d definitely visit first, research different areas and rent before jumping into anything long term, but Manchester is a great city with loads of opportunities.

Lleys · 26/08/2023 14:00

Second Prestwich, lovely vibe, loads of bars/restaurants, great schools and on the tram line for Manchester

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138481265#/?channel=RES_BUY

SomeCatFromJapan · 26/08/2023 14:05

OP I certainly don't think there's anything wrong to wanting to move to a more metropoliton area but I don't actually think Manchester is that cheap, your semi that you posted isn't in a brilliant area.

NashvilleQueen · 26/08/2023 14:07

This may sound ridiculous but do not underestimate the impact the weather can have on your mental health. If you are used to dry sunny days you may struggle. Sometimes it rains for weeks. Grey skies are common even when it's glorious elsewhere. If you're an outdoorsy type then it can impact your way of life a lot. I know people talk about making the most of it in their jolly waterproofs but I very much tend to think those people don't live here.

If you can deal with the rain then almost everything else is brilliant.

Beezknees · 26/08/2023 14:09

Is it specifically Manchester you want or just a city with lots to do? Manchester isn't that cheap any more. I'd look at Liverpool too, saw a pp recommend Birmingham or Nottingham, I'm from Nottingham and it's cheaper than Manchester but also smaller. I'm not keen on Birmingham myself but it's a big city.

Beezknees · 26/08/2023 14:11

There are run down areas in Cornwall too, it's not all pretty houses overlooking the sea, I'm sure OP has seen council estates before.

SomeCatFromJapan · 26/08/2023 14:12

There are, and £200K would get you a semi in those areas too. I'm just thinking if OP wouldn't want to live in a run-down area in say St Austell she might not like the Manchester equivalent either?

Wilkolampshade · 26/08/2023 14:14

I've lived in both, both in deprived areas. Mcr has way more going for it in terms of job opportunities and buzz... but as PP says, also consider Liverpool and definitely if at all possible, rent until you get to know your way around.

FuzzyPuffling · 26/08/2023 14:19

Not sure why all the warnings about the weather. Cornwall has horrendous wet weather - it's right in the force of the Atlantic gales.
(I moved from there)