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?

I'd go Solihull with that budget.

Lived in both including London.
I'd stay in London.

Out of the options I'd pick Warwickshire, but more because it's easier to travel to Oxford which has better options for museums and eating out than Birmingham.

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

This statement makes zero sense. Leamington Spa is a good 45 minutes from Birmingham. They're completely different places.

Oooh. Lovely parts of South Manchester/Cheshire there and you’ve got a very healthy budget.

Alty, Wilmslow and Knutsford are fab. Alderley Edge I find a bit Cheshire Housewives.
Theres lovely national Trust properties very local. Always lots going on. Fabulous places to eat and drink. All on public transport lines to the city centre.

Manchester. The city centre is quite compact. I don't like Birmingham much, not sure why.

Manchester!
or even better, Leeds

I don't get the love for Leeds at all!

Much prefer Birmingham. The centre had a good feel about it and it's nice and near places like the Cotswolds for a day out.

I absolutely hated Manchester. I can't think of a single redeeming thing about it.

This. South Manchester isn't cheap.

Although I still recommend Manchester

Stratford is 40m on a direct line to Birmingham moor street? It’s pretty easy!

Is does sound like the best option given your family's wants/priorities and budget is to just stay in London OP.

Unless the reason you're thinking of moving out is that you and/or your DH aren't originally from London and want to move nearer family?

My friend moved here from London (we live in the SE) but she wasn't really into the "London lifestyle". She didn't tend to go to central London except for work and now tends to only go to London to visit her parents.

Going by your posts I think you might have different wants to my friend and you might miss London a lot more than she does.

I would pick Leeds and Liverpool over Manchester any day of the week. Birmingham is quite nice too.

I don't much like either- ( I appreciate others love them) and the nice bits of both to live in including the commuter areas are suprisingly pricey- at that level which you will know as are looking at the pricey areas- and with your budget you may as well live in Guildford or Brighton or Winchester kind of pricey , with easy access to London - any reason why you are looking elsewhere ? Is it work or just fancy a change?

In all honesty I preferred Liverpool and the Wirral or posh bits of Leeds to both of them- is there a reason for Birmingham/ Manchester??

£900k just outside Warwick. In Alderley Edge that will get you a flat.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/148702058#/map?channel=RES_BUY

Birmingham has a brilliant 'foodie' community and quite a few theatre/comedy options. It is super convenient to travel there from the towns you mention by train. If DS is into theatre, obviously the RSC in Stratford offer loads of events/cheap tickets for youngsters.
Travel back to London will be easier than from Manchester which may become important as your DS gets older.

This is utter rubbish.

Those area aren’t in south Manchester. Have you heard of a county called Cheshire?

Brummie here 🙋🏽‍♀️

I love my hometown. I also love Manchester.

People in both cities are super friendly and down to earth.

Both places have their good and bad spots.

Birmingham has had a whole heap of investment put into it over the years.

Entertainment wise both have a lot to offer.

Although I’d say Manchester is more bars and clubs, whereas Birmingham/West Mids has a lot more in terms of museums, cultural stuff etc

One key thing the West Midlands has going for it, is that it’s central. You’re pretty much 2 hours from a majority of places. So easy to get back to London if you need to see family/friends. But also a straight car journey up the M6 to Manchester or straightforward journey on the train.

So, (and this may sound biased) I’d go for Birmingham. Because the transport links are better.

Birmingham is not tired and run down at all.

Knutsford is so lovely. Go there.

I haven’t seen that? Seems a fairly even split to me?

I much prefer Birmingham

Manchester! With good access to all of the northern cities, the Peak District, the lakes, north wales, and also Birmingham and London. Oh and Leeds.

I mean I'd choose smart parts of Liverpool or Sheffield myself but you will never tire of the north.

Altrincham is in Greater Manchester