The North-West, living there

OK, anyone from the North-West? I find it amazing how much there is up there, yes we have London, but you have countless towns the size of Cambridge or more, east egnlia is empty... plus L'pool, Manchester, thriving independent culture etc, cheaper prices, more hills et al. (More 'friendly' people?)

So, what's the verdict, have any of you moved either there to south or vice versa, and what is your advice on moving or living there, should I? I want a bit more than cliches about it's grim up north, no disrespect, unless there really is some huge validity in that.
I just sometimes get the impression it's a bit more interesting up there. (as I don't really want to live in London crime and price/space wise, on my budget)

Rep for some informative or interesting replies, ta.

This. Agreed.

What has Yorkshire got? This is a genuine question. Their largest city is Leeds, a dump of a village in a middle of a roundabout. Lancashire has Bolton. Manchester and Liverpool are in a different league, in fact, are world cities (minor).

I'm from chester so I ought to be well informed on the city.

Culturally it's a blend of flogging tourists for everything they have, and trying to copy liverpool.
The city is mostly a very nice and upmarket kind of place, with a few notable exceptions (much like everywhere tbh)

Eductaion in chester is generally pretty good, there's a few large state secondary schools and a few exclusive private schools. There's a nice rivalry between some of the schools too
The university isn't brilliant on the whole though, but the nightlife is probably pretty good - the pub/bar density in the city center is pretty high. And some of them are very cheap (£1.50 a pint on weekdays, anyone?)
Chester isn't that posh. There are posh and rich people, but the majority of cestrians are just normal people.

I am with you to some extent, but come on, it's got the Dales, Pennines, York (Don't know Leeds) and Sheffield is a good city, safer than Manchester with tons to do.

I'll give you that. The Dales, Pennines and I like York. Shieffield is alright, I suppose...
Lancashire is far superior to Yorkshire...
Sheiffield being safer than Manchester- Dundee is safer than Sheffield and Manchester...

I've lived in the North West for half my life but i still return to Manchester at every opportunity. Only reason i came back ''darn sarf'' is to sit my A levels and get into uni, but the North West is the place to be. I get so many wannabe Londoners with their horrible Essex accents disagreeing with me, but the North is the place to be.

It's a shame i had to come back to Colchester to study as the two places just don't compare. The second my last exam is over i'm getting the first train back to Manchester. I'm still very upset that Manchester uni isn't any good for History otherwise i'd be firming it in a split second. Fantastic city in a fantastic area.

North > South!

Ah, the rare Southerner with some sense.

I've lived in the north west my whole life and wouldn't change it for the world.

I'm half Scouse and part Mancunian with a bit of Yorkshire in me, and I live in Cumbria. The north west is gorgeous and cities won't ever come better than Manchester and Liverpool for making me feel proud of being northern. I was in Manc today, actually, sales shopping - dreadful drizzly weather but I just love the place so so much.

The north east has absolutely nothing on us.

I love living in Liverpool, born and bred Scouser