To think that Manchester is awful?

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I came for the day to visit Elizabeth Gaskell's house museum (very nice) and have subsequently walked around, trying to find somewhere attractive, or with interesting shops (or any shop that isn't selling fast food).
Is there somewhere I've missed?

I'd never heard of it before - what a lovely word! The quieter London suburbs are particularly great for this. Enjoy the wandering - am jealous!!

Ooh, any recommendations? I'll be staying in moorgate so starting off from there and likely ending up in islington. But I'm quite familiar with islington as my in laws live there so probably won't spend too much time stravaiging there!

Oooh if you haven't already, I'd recommend the Grand Union canal walk from Paddington into the North-west surburbs towards Wembley way - you get to see the area's industrial history which is still present today with all the factories located that way up near the canal (McVities etc.). If you come up from the canal to the streets, you can explore Kensal Rise cemetery (one of the great Victorian ones) or walk further along to Wembley where they are loads of streets full of asian food and jewellery/clothes shops - it's always been there, but is being reinvented as one of the Mayor's Creative Enterprise zones... But along the way, there are loads of suburbs that are great for wandering around with lovely little gems (such as the massive temple in Neasden, or for something completely different, Ace Cafe!!

Most people do it the other way and walk to Paddington basin but that's bit boring I think!

I'm as urban person as you can be and have never voted Tory in my life.

I've lived in Manchester on and off for several years. I find Manchester ugly. Liverpool and Newcastle are much more attractive cities. Leeds is ugly too but has a better vibe There is nothing about Machester's nightlife, food scene that isn't bettered by London.

And while MOST Mancs are fabulous and fun, a handful are chippy as hell and a downer to be around - you're one of them. Someone doesn't like your city, doesn't make them sneery fascists.

I'm a city girl, and a northerner. I'm not fond of Manchester. There's only so many times you can have something to eat in a day and beyond the restaurants and bars there isn't a great deal to actually do. When you consider Liverpool is about 40 miles down the road and is packed full of touristy stuff, tours etc there isn't really a comparison.

I also find the atmosphere markedly different during the day and in the evening. I'm always glad to be leaving as people are pouring into the city for their nights out as there's quite an aggressive vibe.

I also am not keen on the nasal accent, but my own accent is also one that many dislike (including me!)

If you want to fit in get an Oasis hair do, a fancy cagoule and do that walk like you’re wearing a full nappy.

But seriously, a handful of people are chippy everywhere. And why shouldn’t some of them be in Manchester? It’s punched above its weight culturally for years.

Liverpool is Ok - a bit small though, same with Leeds.

Have u tried Brum - that’s my favourite city!

It's got the best job market up north and one of the best outside London in UK (including Salford Quays as well).

Students are less likely to stay in somewhere like York as it won't have the same job opportunities.

Football. Yawn. It's really niche tbh.

One of the biggest clubs in the world and probably the best team in the world. In one city. So niche.

Agree (except Real Madrid are the best team in the world).

National sport too. Niche😂

Not keen on Manchester, although I live not too far away. Things I like to do are too far spread out, it doesn’t have a cohesive feel, like Liverpool, which I prefer. And Liverpool has a river, which always makes a difference.
I also find Mancunians can be a bit dour and not that great company, unlike scousers!

🙄