Making the move from London to Manchester can be both thrilling and challenging. Manchester offers a fresh perspective with its unique blend of cultural vibrancy, historic charm, and dynamic opportunities. London and Manchester are two distinct cities, each with their own character, history and atmosphere, but many compare them because of the north-south divide. The two cities have various living costs, marketplaces, job opportunities, and transport systems. Manchester is establishing itself as a leading international metropolis and becoming more appealing to relocate to. This blog explores what you can expect when relocating to Manchester and provides key insights to help you decide whether Manchester or London is the better fit for your lifestyle.
Why Relocate to Manchester?
A Fresh Pace of Life:
Manchester offers a different pace compared to London’s hustle and bustle. The city’s relaxed vibe combined with its energetic cultural scene creates a balanced lifestyle and allows you to experience the energy and busyness when suits you, rather than living in it.
Population & Size:
According to Statista, London was by far the largest urban agglomeration in the UK in 2023, with an estimated population of 9.65 million people, more than three times as large as Manchester. Manchester is a great alternative for people who enjoy the city lifestyle but prefer a less crowded and smaller city centre.
Community:
Manchester's more compact city centre offers the convenience of walking from one area to another, making it simple to visit friends, commute, meet familiar faces, and build lasting connections. Manchester has a strong sense of community and is often described as more close-knit compared to London. Whether you’re in the heart of the Northern Quarter or the more residential areas like Chorlton or Didsbury, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere. Whereas in London, the vastness can be known to feel isolating, Manchester offers a more accessible and friendly environment where you're likely to bump into familiar faces and quickly become part of the local scene.
More Affordable Living Costs:
One of the major benefits of relocating from London to Manchester is the cost of living. According to Expatistan, ‘Cost of living in Manchester is 35% cheaper than in London’ and rental prices in Manchester are significantly lower compared to London, allowing you to enjoy a more manageable cost of living without compromising on quality or vibrancy. Check out the graphs below showing cost of living comparisons:
Manchester’s Lifestyle & Cultural Scene
Manchester is renowned for its lively cultural scene. From music, nightlife and sport, to theatre, art and food, the city delivers a rich variety of each!
Music:
Manchester's music scene is legendary. With venues like Co-Op Live, Victoria Warehouse, The Albert Hall, Castlefield Bowl, O2 Apollo and The O2 Ritz, you’ll never be short of live shows. The city hosts major music festivals such as Parklife and Hide & Seek and many of the biggest touring artists in the world choose Manchester as a main location to perform, such as Kasabian, Florence & The Machine, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul McCartney, Olivia Rodriguez, Hans Zimmer and many, many more! Not to mention, the copious amounts of internationally acclaimed artists that come from Manchester such as Oasis, Take That, The Smiths, Joy Division and The 1975 plus numerous others.
Theatre & Exhibitions:
Manchester hosts an array of cultural, art and film exhibitions including the recent Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience and Jurassic World: The Exhibition, as well as many beloved theatre productions such as Moulin Rouge and The Book of Mormon at iconic venues such as The Palace Theatre and The Royal Exchange. Manchester is always a main stop for productions like these!
Museums & Galleries:
Manchester is home to some fantastic museums and galleries, that showcase the rich cultural heritage and creativity. The city even has its own Manchester Museum that showcases an extensive collection of natural history, archaeology and anthropology providing a glimpse into the past and present. There’s also Manchester Art Gallery that presents and impressive range of artworks from classic pieces to contemporary works, reflecting the city’s dynamic artistic landscape. Whitworth Art Gallery is also worth noting, for its exceptional collection of fine art within the grounds of the stunning Whitworth Park. Both galleries have recently undergone impressive remodelling’s that have enhanced their facilities and exhibition spaces even further.
Sports and Fitness:
Manchester is a sports hub, home to the world-famous football clubs Manchester United and Manchester City that play at the world-famous Old Trafford and Etihad. Within the campus of Manchester City’s football stadium in East Manchester, there’s the National Squash Centre & Regional Arena, The Manchester Tennis and Football Centre as and the Regional Athletics Arena plus many more large sporting venues across Greater Manchester. Manchester also hosts huge sport events such as the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run, Greater Manchester Swim, Tough Mudder Manchester, Manchester Open Golf Competitions and many more group sporting activities to get involved in! The city, of course, also offers a range of fitness options including a range of Gyms, Yoga and Pilate Studios, and Sports Clubs. Padel, a growing sport, already has several dedicated venues in Manchester.
Dining and Nightlife:
Manchester’s dining scene is flourishing, offering something for every occasion. From vibrant food halls like Mackie Mayor offering a range of the best food vendors all under one roof, to Michelin-starred establishments such as Mana, serving inventive multicourse menus. In addition, there’s Rooftop venues like The Ivy to provide stunning views alongside excellent food and drink, while TikTok-famous spots like The Flat Baker highlight the city’s trendsetting influence.
The nightlife is equally dynamic, catering to a wide range of preferences. Iconic Warehouse Project parties at Mayfield Depot draw music lovers from all over the UK for their impressive line ups, while The Northern Quarter bars and pubs host local musicians, have endless craft beers and locally brewed ales, along with quirky cocktail bars, perfect for a bar crawl. Not forgetting the other side of the city with areas including Spinningfields and Deansgate with high end bars such as, Refuge, Sexy Fish & Schofield Bar for something more glamorous! If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, you can sit canal side in trendy bars and pubs in New Islington or Castlefield.
Green Spaces:
Despite its urban setting, Manchester is surrounded by stunning countryside and offers plenty of green areas. Enjoy hikes in the Peak District or relax in city parks like Angel Meadows, Philips Park, New Islington Marina and Mayfield Park. Not to mention, the numerous large parks in Stockport, Lyme, Chorlton, Reddish, Hale and other surrounding areas including Lyme Park, Chorlton Waterpark and the famous Chatsworth Park that features in Pride and Prejudice. Manchester’s impressive nearby green spaces are a huge advantage to living here and enable the balance of a vibrant city life with times of tranquillity, rejuvenation, and exploring nature. On top of this, many of the parks in Manchester host events year round including firework displays, Christmas light shows and Summer festivals.
Finding Your New Home
Accommodation Options:
Manchester’s Real Estate Market is diverse. Whether you’re looking to rent a chic apartment or to buy a house, you’ll find plenty of options. Websites like Northern Group and Rightmove are great starting points to search for your dream home up North. Northern Group have multiple developments in Manchester City centre providing a range of apartments in prime locations, with more in the pipeline. While also providing expert property management for landlords all over Greater Manchester.
Choosing the Right Area:
Think about your lifestyle needs. For a vibrant, city-centre experience with convenient access to amenities and things to do, areas like Ancoats, the Northern Quarter, Castlefield and Piccadilly East are ideal. If you prefer a more relaxed, family-friendly area with larger green spaces, Didsbury, Chorlton or Stockport may suit you better. However, Manchester is continually developing areas within and around Manchester City Centre, improving its quality of life, with ongoing regeneration and development enhancing both established and emerging neighbourhoods.
Manchester’s Regeneration and Improvement:
Manchester is known for its commitment to revitalising and improving its areas. The city’s continuous regeneration projects are transforming formerly industrial spaces into thriving residential and commercial hubs. Areas such as Ancoats, New Islington, Picadilly East and Salford Quays have seen significant development, offering modern living spaces with waterfront views and vibrant community amenities.
Looking into the future, Northern Group have projects such as Ancoats Green and Holt Town which will be providing even more residential areas for people in Manchester, including green spaces, coworking areas and more. Victoria North, Square Gardens and Talbot Mill are also upcoming developments worth mentioning that will also be providing more modern homes across the City Centre, perfect for people relocating to Manchester.
Manchester Transport
Manchester is becoming an increasingly bike-friendly city, boasting a growing network of dedicated bike lanes and convenient rental services. And with Starling Bank Bikes, part of the Bee Network, readily available throughout the city centre, cycling has never been easier or more accessible.
Moreover, walking is a delightful way to explore Manchester. Unlike London, the city’s compact size means you can easily navigate most of the city centre on foot, just be prepared to log some steps! Whether you’re cycling or strolling, Manchester offers a unique and enjoyable way to experience its vibrant culture and stunning architecture.
Networking and Professional Opportunities
Business Landscape Manchester’s business environment is thriving. The city is a hotspot for start-ups and established firms alike. There are many networking events, workshops, and co-working spaces providing opportunities for professional growth, collaboration and meeting new people, which is extremely important when relocating.
Manchester boasts a variety of flexible co-working spaces, including seven Colony Coworking spaces by Northern Group across the city. Our developments, such as One Silk Street, Flint Glass Wharf, and Jactin House in Ancoats, all feature Colony Coworking spaces, perfectly embodying our vision of Ancoats as the ultimate destination to live, work, and play. These spaces offer a seamless blend of professional and lifestyle amenities, making Ancoats an ideal hub for both business and leisure.
Northern Group: Your Partner in Relocation
At Northern Group we offer High-Quality Letting Services and we understand that relocating from London to Manchester is a significant step. Our services are designed to make your move as smooth as possible. Our experienced team of property experts are here to guide you through every stage of the process, from finding the perfect property to settling into your new home.
We offer personalised assistance to help you navigate Manchester’s Real Estate Market. Whether you're searching for a stylish apartment in the city centre in one of our award-winning developments or a tranquil home in a family-friendly suburb, we’re here to find the ideal match for your needs.
With Northern Group’s deep knowledge of Manchester and its neighbourhoods, you can rest assured that you’ll get the best advice on where to live based on your lifestyle preferences. We aim to make your move as seamless and enjoyable as possible, while helping you embrace all that Manchester has to offer and begin your new chapter in this dynamic and welcoming city!
If you’re considering relocating to Manchester, contact us at:
📞 0161 974 3232
📧 enquiries@northerngroup.co.uk
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