to ask you all for positive (or at least realistic) stories about Manchester/University Of Manchester?

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I’m panicking a bit about DD starting Uni in September. We’re from down south and the vibe feels so different up there. Not in a bad way at all, just very different. I know I’m seeing it through my middle-aged eyes, but I keep reading about the crime rates and the constant rain, and it’s making me anxious! Please help me see it in a more positive light. (I’m being upbeat with DD, but I’d like to actually feel that positivity myself.)

Crime rates?? Have you seen the stats for London? Be grateful she's not staying 'down south' near you!

Manchester is a great city, with loads to do. I lived there for many years and visit frequently. I've never been a victim of crime there. Like anywhere, there are some dodgy parts, but no more so than other places. I'm sure your daughter will have a fantastic time!

Thank you. I know I am being silly.

Manchester has one of the biggest populations of students in the country, they practically have their own ecosystem. It is a big city so there is crime but it’s not a gauntlet of guns and muggers to get from your student accommodation to the university buildings. She will have an awesome time! Or she will melt in the rain or turn into a pie barm 😁

Manchester is a fabulous city and UoM is a top University, well done to your DD for choosing it and getting the grades! Like any city (or place) there will be useful advice about looking after your stuff and not wandering around on her own at night but I have never had an issue. So much going on for her whatever she is in to.

Manchester has the highest proportion of graduates who stay on and live / work in the city after graduation. That really tells you all you need to know.

I did exactly that and it’s been my home now for over 20 years. As have many of the people I have employed over that 20 years.

It’s an amazing city and yes it rains, but not constantly. And even if it did the experience more than makes up for it.

Im from London and live just outside it. I go to Manchester regularly for work and often stay over and socialise. My impression is thats its a great place for fun and socialising in an urban environement, lots of nice restaurants, cools bars and fun clubs. Crucially though, compared to London, it is compact and everything is pretty close together so you can go out all round the city in one night. Its very much mini London for me. Not a leafy campus university town, but no different to going to uni in any other city really. There are grubby bits (like all UK cities) but also a fun and lively vibe, quite cosmopolitan.

I'm old and visit Manchester fairly frequently - it's such a young city with a really nice atmosphere and some incredible places to visit near by. Go visit her and take her out for a lovely meal, visit the Midland Hotel and the Central Library. If you can drag her out of Manchester to the countryside nearby on a visit too.

A lot of the student crime is down to oblivious students walking down Oxford Road with noise cancelling headphones and holding their brand new phones out in front of them on a flat hand. Opportunists come up behind them on bikes and knock the phones out of their hands. I have this on good authority from a police officer who works the Oxford Road corridor. He said he counted 40 “flat-held” phones on a 5 minute walk down Oxford Road.
As long as your DC has a passing awareness of their surroundings and keeps their phone in their pocket or at least held with a pop socket they’ll be a tougher target than most other students.

This is me!! Im from a small town, first In family to go to uni, not even from England and I came to Manchester to attend Machester University and never left!!
I did graduate 13 years ago 😳 but still an amazing city so much to do and see, ive always felt safe...and compared to where I come from it hardly ever rains!

It’s probably not about Manchester just all the feelings of your dc going out into the world. It’s an odd time as a mum, you are upbeat for them but also secretly worried. My dc went to uni last year in a big city that has a gritty reputation. She’s loved it and thrived.
I went to see her about 6 weeks into first semester. I did tourist things and museums and also spent time with her. She walked around campus showing me things like this is where I get coffee and I knew she was ok.

DD just graduated from Mancs, staying on with lots of friends as they love it there (we live in London). It's a great city in its own right with an incredible heritage and a marvellous youthful vibrant and politically engaged population. The climate is colder and wetter as it's in the north!

I’ve lived here my whole life. It’s really a wonderful city OP, your daughter will have a fantastic time.
And it doesn’t rain that much 😉

Your daughter is going to have the time of her life

This is 100% accurate, so hearing positive things about the city and the university is very helpful. Thank you all.

Manchester has worse crime stats than London. I love the place and your daughter will have a great time but just correcting this misinformation.

I have a question about jobs. From what we saw, there are hundreds of fast food joints, coffee bars, and shops where part-time jobs might be an option. Financially, it would be helpful if DD could have a job, but I was just wondering where else she could be looking for part time work that isn't necessarily hospitality or retail. She's worked at a fast food place during her 2 years of 6th form and would like a break from that if possible.

OP just said she lives in the South, why are London crime rates relevant. She could live in Cornwall for all we know

‘The south’ - are you living in a small place and rarely visit a city? Clearly not in or near London, anyway!

Manchester is awful. Wouldn't recommend.

This is such a niche opinion - everyone I know there really loves living there. What do you find awful about it? I don't live there but when I was job hunting about 15 years ago it was one of the few places I was prepared to relocate to.

I've lived in Manchester for more than 20 years. It's a bit grimy and scuzzy compared to London but not particularly dangerous. All the young people I see seem to love living here.

This is really unhelpful if you're not willing to expand.

Manchester is a fabulous place-and the university is very well thought of and has high student satisfaction.

Get her in to the local theatres - a few recent grads who’ve come to work with us all worked for ATG while they were at Uni and loved it, free show tickets too.