Studying in Manchester from London

I live just outside London right now, but have spent my whole life in and around the city. My top uni choice is in Manchester. I applied for UCL, but got rejected as apparently my personal statement wasn't good enough or something like that. If I went to UCL or a London uni, I'd either live at home, or move further into London. I've been to Manchester once, and I didn't particuarly like it, but I don't think i saw that much of it. I just feel like it will be a big culture shock, as whenever I speak to someone from the north of England, it seems like a different country up there. I know its cheaper, but the weather in the Northwest seems cr*p, the accent gets on my nerves, and Manchester still feels too small for me. My other choices are Birmingham, Nottingham, and UEA (Norwich). I like Norwich, but its tiny as a city. I've never been to Nottingham. Never been to Birmingham either. How have Londoners found it studying in other cities?