Is Manchester a cool place to live?

I've lived in the South all my life with a huge majority spent in Devon and I'm f**ing bored of farms and fields and seaside towns.

I'm training to be a tattoo artist and I love the alternative scene- music, fashion, quirky little music venues etc. Never been to Manchester but everyone tells me it's got a great alt/indie scene and is relatively cheap.

What is the average living cost like? I was initially attracted to London but have decided it's far too expensive.
Ideally I'd like a city with a 'vibrant' vibe and a great nightlife

Reply 1

SupposedlyIronic

I live around Manchester and I’d say it sounds great for you! Google “Affleck’s Palace” because that sounds exactly your scene, and it’s one of my favourite places to go.

It’s not cheap if you’re in the centre, but it’s probably where you’d be happiest and where the transport is best. Once I get into Manchester there’s plenty to do, but not so much in my immediate local area. It’s definitely vibrant, and I always feel like it has a great atmosphere.

Reply 2

gjd800

Good alt scene for sure but Manc as a city is really bleak and depressing. Concrete city.

Reply 3

Bang Outta Order

I always say this about Manchester: there's three lifestyles. The Love Island wanna bes (straight and LGBT...you know the orange ones and the lads with the hair fringe, Hawaiian shirts and skin tight jeans and the females who look like cheap escorts with ridiculous amounts of cosmetic surgery, hair weave and instagram filters); the south Asians; and the Jeremy Kyle rejects. That's literally it. Since I'm neither of those I avoid Manchester like it created covid. 👍

Reply 4

lil_hellgirl

Original post by ashtolga23

Oo yeah I've always wanted to go to Affleck's. Rent definitely isn't that cheap in the centre but it's still cheaper than London & general living costs are cheaper than anywhere in the South so I'm persuaded.

Reply 5

Native087

Agree, north is better than anything down ther.

However this is not the case with Manchester + Liverpool.

Liverpool 10/10, Manchester 6.5/10, London 2/10 and Devon 4/10 (only for holidays)

Reply 6

SupposedlyIronic

Original post by lil_hellgirl

I'd definitely advise you visiting when you can, as there are clearly mixed opinions on this thread haha. I love it, but it is quite industrial in parts. You don't seem like someone who'd be phased by anything here but still check it out and see if you like the vibes in person.

There's a lot of "concrete" I guess but there's also a river flowing through which is pretty cool, and there are plenty of beautiful and historical buildings like the town hall. There are so many different areas in the centre anyway, so there's plenty of different things going on imo.

It's definitely cheaper than the South, and I'd argue that it's the capital of the North. I love it here but visit just in case of course :smile:

Reply 7

Newtingz

Original post by Bang Outta Order

i get the first point. but why the hate for the others. u a racist?

Reply 8

lbenson88

I live in Manchester’s northern quarter, it’s great.
It’s a nice area, great for independent shops, bars music venue’s and cafes but it’s not clean and neat like a ‘high street’ in most places. Think a bit grunge 😅

But the rustic look kinda adds to the charm to be honest, the street art (full on wall murals) change regularly but there’s a few that stay the same.

Honestly it’s weird to describe it’s like a village right inside a city, imagine a butchers, right next door to a live music venue (with free pizza when you buy two drinks 😂) and then next door again is a flower shop. All independent, there’s very few chain places here.

I’m ligit in a gardening club that meets on sundays, but also right inside a city centre.