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What city to live in?

44 replies

Anawana · 26/07/2023 18:49

Hi all,

I'm a 28 year old woman, currently living in SE. I'm from Turkey but have lived in the UK for the last 6 years.

I had a divorce from my husband a couple of months ago and want to move to a different place.

I make £32k and would like to buy a house. I have a biggish deposit saved and seem to be able to afford a few up north.

-I like lively cities/big towns with a lot going on in terms of activities, things to do and socialising most.
-I'm looking for somewhere safe obviously as a single woman.
-It has to be affordable

Where do you recommend that I move to? I had Manchester in mind, do you think it's a good idea, if so which part please?

Many thanks!

OP posts:
catsnhats11 · 26/07/2023 20:33

Just saw you def want a house, Manchester could still be an option if you look further out or consider a less desirable area, transport links are very good with the trains and trams.

cluefu · 26/07/2023 20:36

I live in Manchester and Prestwich or Whitefield are good. Definitely worth being within walking distance to a tram line. I don't know south Manchester but I know it's nice but also more expensive. I believe Eccles also has nice parts too.

I haven't lived in any other big cities so I'm biased but I think Manchester is fab.

Further afield if you like a mix of country and activities you could consider the Rossendale area but depends on how much stuff you would like really. Uppermill is also nice but more village and you'd probably want a car.

StartSWagaintomorrow · 26/07/2023 20:40

York is a nice city you can get a terraced for 200k there.

ThaiSweetChilli3 · 26/07/2023 20:59

MN-ers are snobbish and on here you always see the same expensive places in South Manchester Altrincham, Didsbury etc these places are South West prices. But still... when I lived there houses often smelt of weed. Even in posh Hale (which is Cheshire, just next to Altrincham). People aren't getting gunned down or stabbed to death in the rest of Manchester y'know!

Also for MN-ers places with 'a lot happening' and 'good public transport' = a place with some nice restaurants, a couple of gigs , And a train station.

FWIW Reddit is a better place for honest answers OP but Manchester has more going on than Liverpool. Liverpool is cheaper, has better museums and galleries but most of it concentrated in the city centre... crickets elsewhere. Transport isn't great either - no trams.

Manchester has trams, which are quick and cheap. You cannot beat the sheer variety of restaurants, street food, events etc. It's a bit like London - you have the city center but there's also lots going on the suburbs of Altrincham, Didsbury, you can go further to Cheshire for nice countryside things. As you are Turkish no problem finding your own food here.

I would say 'safety' is the same in both cities and the rainy poster ROFL (most of the North West is rainy!) Have a Google - Manchester isn't even one of the top ten rainiest cities in the U.K despite its reputation.

Places like Leeds and Sheffield, while good just don't have the variety of Manchester and Liverpool.

Don't listen to strangers on the internet and jump straight into buying a house. Rent in Manchester or Liverpool for a bit - explore on your own terms, visit all the cities.

FWIW I live in Hyde, East Manchester which MN turns its nose up at but people are SO nice. I constantly get people stopping for a chat in the streets and shops, doors etc held open. When you bump into people and say sorry they actually REPLY BACK instead of ignoring you. And if I looked lost people are happy to stop and help.

ThaiSweetChilli3 · 26/07/2023 21:02

Also I forget to add - in Hale (which has a lot of expensive houses and is uppercrust) there was a street that was famous for theft - it faced a road which was easy for people to use as a getaway vehicle.
I worked in Knutsford, that is why I know South Manchester so well....

calmcoco · 27/07/2023 01:51

Personally I'd go for Newcastle or Glasgow.

caringcarer · 27/07/2023 02:13

You could buy a house in Hull for that and have some money left over.

Devon132 · 27/07/2023 07:59

I had the same choice as you recently was in SE and wanted to move somewhere cheaper for the same reasons. Also wanted a city with some life to it.

I considered the big northern cities, I lived in Leeds and Sheffield until I was 16. I love them - especially Manchester but we moved for the better weather down South. Decided I didn't want to deal with the snow and wind that comes with the northern life.

I moved to Plymouth which has plenty of life. You'll easily get a small house in walking distance of the town centre for your budget here. It has theatre, plenty of music, a lovely night life and plenty of young people and restaurants. I'd Def rent first for a year to work out exactly where you want to be. There is also Cornwall on the doorstep, Dartmoor, Cornish villages, Exeter are a short train ride away. London is 3.5 hours on the train.

Might be worth considering

CheesyChipsOnWembleyWay · 27/07/2023 08:04

There are some relative bargains in Prestwich/Whitefield currently. Lovely places to live, plenty of social life and on the doorstep of glorious parks and walks. Good transport links into city centre and if you drive right on the m60 for further travel.

RampantIvy · 27/07/2023 08:06

Manchester has trams, which are quick and cheap. You cannot beat the sheer variety of restaurants, street food, events etc.

Newcastle has the metro instead of trams, plus it rains less and is a short metro ride to the coast. It was voted as one of the best cities in the UK to eat out in recently as well.

It is more compact than Manchester, has easy access to the airport and fast rail links to London.

Otherwise, look at York.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/07/2023 09:10

Crumpsall and Moston are awful, huge amounts of temporary accommodation, it’s forever in the MEN for the wrong reasons, really deprived, I don’t mind Droylesden but it’s not the best…
Manchester is one of the more expensive cities, and you won’t get something nice in a safe area for £200k.

With that budget I’d go to Newcastle, great city and much cheaper than many others with the same facilities and amenities

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/07/2023 09:12

I should add, I used to live in a bit great bit of Manchester (definitely not didsbury!) and it was fine but prices have gone silly there and even a rubbish flat is £150/160k +
I still think Moston is really grim.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/07/2023 09:12

Not great bit that should say!

Charlotteowensdodgydad · 27/07/2023 09:15

Lol at folk suggesting York.

Charlotteowensdodgydad · 27/07/2023 09:17

And agree with @ThaiSweetChilli3 that there’s a lot of snobbery on MN. Reddit is a good place to get honest info. They have a subreddit for Manchester and all the other big cities.

hexsnidgett · 27/07/2023 09:18

York is way to pricey.
I think Plymouth is a good shout. Although I know there are less nice bits.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/07/2023 09:18

Charlotteowensdodgydad · 27/07/2023 09:15

Lol at folk suggesting York.

Haha yes, I think a lot of London MNers think the entire north is just full on mansions for £10k…

RampantIvy · 27/07/2023 09:23

The house opposite me sold for £575k last year - 4 bed detached in an unremarkable village in South Yorkshire. Admittedly it has fabulous views though.

Pinkdelight3 · 27/07/2023 13:29

Liverpool and Sheffield are great friendly cities with lots going on. Sheffield is a bit better connected but Liverpool is a whole world of its own. Definitely worth visiting and seeing if you feel at home in one of those. I like Manchester too but if I was on my own I'd rather live in Liverpool - never feel lonely there.

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