Do you prefer Birmingham or Manchester

[Clarro]

DH and I are moving out of London.

We are considering both cities. Which city itself do you prefer?

Birmingham

I visit both.

Birmingham has more character, feels more lively, currently seems to be doing a better job of preserving its heritage and feels livelier.

Manchester currently seems to have better theatre, food and music.

But both statements are relative; neither is all-or-nothing.

I went to Uni in Birmingham and live in Manchester. They are both large vibrant cities. Totally depends on what you’re looking for, whether you want to be in the centre or outside, any particular interests, specific needs?

Manchester but probably because I know it better.
I also love Leeds

Don’t come to Brum- the council is skint so being a resident isn’t great at the moment!

Birmingham

I went to uni in Manchester but it’s changed since then. The atmosphere is now quite unpleasant and I’ve never come across a city so up its own arse. When I visit, I usually am happy to leave whereas I love going to Birmingham.

Depends what you’re looking for. Also, do you mean city centre or suburbs? Do you need to go back to London, if so how often?

Based on the lamentations of a family member who moved to Manchester a couple of years ago, Birmingham because apparently it never stops raining in Manchester.

I've never been to Birmingham but I have lived in Manchedter. Would still recommend Birmingham over Manchester.

Leeds is great though, if that is an option. If not, still anywhere other than Manchester.

I've spent many years in both.
It depends what your requirements are and what you like doing?
Anything else to consider? Schools? Work?
And also budget as the best area in one will be nicer than the worst area in the other

Manchester, but I've always been to Birmingham for boring work related reasons so that has probably coloured my judgement.

I’ve spent a lot of time in both cities and Manchester is the one I chose to move to.

Birmingham.

We have decided we would live in Stratford/Warwick/Leamington Spa if we moved to Birmingham

And Knutsford, Altrincham, Wilmslow, Aderley Edge if we moved to Manchester.

We have done trips to these towns but always neglected looking around the actual city centres beyond a meal out.

We have a healthy budget, I homeschool my son (nd) and dh has offices in both cities.

We spend a lot of time out shopping, eating and going to museums and plays.

Leeds over both but if not then Manchester

Depends on your budget. In Birmingham you won’t a decent place to live even in a suburb for less than 400-500k. Whereas for that price you will find something decent around Mancester.

None of those are in Birmingham?

They come under Warwickshire and are in the West Midlands

Our budget is £800-950k (depends on a couple of factors we are waiting to see fall into play)

I studied and lived in Manchester for 10 years and have worked in Birmingham for 8.

I would never move to Birmingham or the surrounding areas. The city has no vibe, no soul, and even the “nice” suburbs are not that nice.

Manchester on the other hand is a fantastic city with loads of great places to live in and around it.

Manchester is lovely but it is always raining.
In general the people from both cities have a reputation for friendliness.

I’m asking as we would spend a lot of time in the city at weekends.

Not Birmingham then - not even the same county - those places are in Warwickshire (I've lived in both Birmingham and Warwickshire)

Your update changes things somewhat 🤣

Not familiar with Birmingham but dislike Manchester. Feels gloomy.

I do not know Manchester, so cannot comment on the areas or towns you are looking at.

However, Warwick / Leamington / Stratford are very much their own places, rather than being in any way ‘Birmingham’. Your experience of living in them would be experiences of living in eg Warwick, irrespective of the city 30 miles away.

This is perhaps very different from being in London, where outer suburbs, previously their own places, are highly influenced by ‘being part of the Greater London conurbation’.

If you want to find out about eg life in Warwick, it would probably be best to ask that directly, as someone living there and able to help you would not regard themselves as being ‘in Birmingham’.