to ask if you've moved from Manchester to London?

[stressedout1994]

Hi all,

Happy election day!

I'm 29 and about to start training at a law firm in London. They have an office in Manchester, and there are other big law firms there. I have lived in London since uni and really love it - but DP and I would only ever be able to afford a tiny flat here and we both want to have children (in a few years when I am qualified etc etc) so we are talking about moving to Manchester when my training contract finishes (at which point I'll be 32 / 33).

Have you moved from London to Manchester and if so what do you like about it? I'm a bit nervous about potentially moving to a new city where I don't know anyone, but I know that it's necessary in order to be able to fulfil my dream of having children and a garden. I also feel like there are lots of fun things about Manchester - beautiful surrounding countryside, good live music scene etc. We both like long-distance walking, live music, the arts, etc etc etc.... However I am a bit nervous about having no mates, and the fact that it apparently rains all the time...

AIBU to ask you to please let me know if you or any friends have moved from London to Mighty Manchester and loved it? What do you like about Manchester?

Thank you!

I think you might want to get your thread title edited as you have the cities the wrong way round!

@5foot5 how embarrassing! ! Re-posting now !

Hello! I moved to Manchester for work 11 years ago. I love it here.

Where I live isn't necessarily much cheaper than living in most areas of the SE but obviously much cheaper than living in central London. I love that if I have to "commute" into the city centre it's a 15 minute tram ride or a 10 minute drive.

I like being so close to a city centre but also living in the suburbs with a close community feel. My neighbours are kind and friendly and community focused and if I'm honest most of us are not from Manchester and have relocated here.

Might not be important for some but I also like that Manchester has always been very left in terms of politics so I am around like minded individuals more than I was from where I'm from.

Manchester has changed loads over the last 11 years and continues to develop.

I am from Manchester but I lived in London for 20 years and then moved back. It will give you the gift of time. Manchester is infinitely easier to move around. People moan about the traffic in Manchester but it's not in the same league. If you can live near a tram line, then public transport is good. Buses and trains probably less so. If you are a culture vulture like me, there's loads to do - theatres, concert venues etc. Obviously cheaper too - the difference is probably less stark now but in 2007 my house in Manchester was half the price of exactly the same style and location type in London. I loved living in London but I don't miss it at all.

Thank you ladies great responses, very helpful... @chocolateanddietcoke definitely important for me too - DP and I went to the people's museum in Manchester last week and we found the idea of living in a Labour city very attractive (i.e. could meet people via the local party and DP works in local govt so good to work somewhere under left wing leadership.) @RainBow725 that is great to hear - we went to the Albert Hall to see a band recently and I couldn't believe how attractive the venue was, and how cheap and high qual all local restaurants were....think living in London has really brain-washed me into thinking everywhere has to be a 50 minute schlep journey and all dinners cost approx £300,000 for small plates....

Same here! Made the move 5 yrs ago. Was given the choice to stay in London or move up north.
Decided Manchester was better as we wanted to buy a house - got a 4bed semi for less than a crappy studio in London.
People are friendlier, everything else is cheaper too! - childcare, meals out, entertainment.
Also you can be 2 train stops, 20 mins outside of Manchester and feel like you're in the countryside with walks etc. has everything you could need nightlife and food wise.
Would do it again in a heartbeat.

You live in Chorlton!

Haha yes I do 😂

Manchester City centre is expensive but if
you’re moving for more space then you obviously still get a lot more for your money in a commutable distance.
It’s a great city with a lot of thriving independent businesses. It does rain a lot more in Manchester than any other area of the uk I’ve ever lived in, much more than London.

ladies I am laughing that you all seem to live in Chorlton.... that's where I want to move to.... went to stay with a friend there.... pure heaven....!!!!

I love it here! Feel free to msg me if you have any other questions

Hang on, you've still got your entire TC to go? What if you find you love big ticket M&A and move as an NQ to a US firm and bank £200k starting salary.

I guess you're at an AG or a Sheds or Pinsents etc if they've got London and Manchester offices. Don't sell yourself short just yet. You have no clue what a two year TC will do to your mindset and bank balance.

I have a similar life trajectory to @RainBow725! I love that I live within easier reach of the coast and countryside, it required a weekend in London to really get away but a day trip will do easily from Manchester. Cost and politics also boons. Nightlife and music are top class in Manchester too.

Some things I miss (with apologies to Manchester, I do love it here): museums, galleries and theatre - they are good in Manchester but don't compare with the world class ones in London. Urban parks and open spaces - generally better in London. And most of all, the food in London - you can get food from any country in the world and anything from cheap and cheerful to Michelin starred - by comparison Manchester is really poor on this front.

My advice would be spend your few years in London enjoying what Manchester doesn't have, then make the move.

@FakeMiddleton excellent name for starters... I'm very open-minded but do have friends in US firms and am self-aware enough to think that I likely don't have the will or the stamina to work at that level throughout my 30's, especially if I have children. Nothing but respect for those who can, of course...