Is Manchester a Good Place to Live?

The city of Manchester is famous for its iconic social life, music scene, and one of the biggest football teams in the world. It also boasts of its rich cultural history. With a population of approximately 2.6 million, the Greater Manchester area is the second largest city in the United Kingdom.

Is Manchester a good place to live? In a survey conducted in 2017, Manchester ranked as a better place to live than London. In the rankings, this northern city usually referred to as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, also ranked above Seattle and San Francisco. London was ten places behind Manchester.

Living in this great city offers one a multicultural, diverse, and creative way of enjoying life. Although English remains the official language in Manchester, over 2000 different languages are being spoken in the city including Polish, Mandarin, Punjabi, Arabic, and Gujarati. This diversity highlights the kind of life top expect if you are thinking of moving to Manchester. The GDP Per Capita stands at £35,586.

We understand the fact that you landed on this page since you are looking for helpful information about the great city of Manchester. It doesn’t matter whether you are thinking of relocating to Manchester or moving to the UK; we are here to provide you with detailed information that will help you make an informed decision. In this guide, we cover everything that you need to know about Manchester.

How many schools are there?
What is the average crime rate in the city?
How is the real estate market?
What is the average cost of living in the town?
Are there any tourist attractions in the city?

Read on to find out everything that you need to know.

In this article you will find out:

Manchester has always been a lively city boasting of unique character and diversity. Whether you are thinking of the great musical revolution or the iconic Industrial Revolution, the great City of Manchester is at the centre of it. From watching great football at the Old Trafford to shopping at the Trafford Centre, there is always something for everyone in this great city.

It also remains one of the UK’s favourite student cities boasting of some of the best student hangouts and events. Approximately half of the city’s population is multilingual with at least five in ten young people conversant in more than one language. Living in Manchester offers you a unique and memorable experience.

You will be immersed in a diverse world of pure music, art and fashion, and exclusive access to a bustling social life that is packed with different festivals throughout the year. From French to Indian, Chinese to Italian, there are thousands of world-class restaurants, markets, cafes, and street stalls that reflect the city’s cultural diversity.

Manchester is also known as “the shopping capital of the north.” You will find everything that you need in the stores and shopping malls located in the city centre. If you prefer doing all of your shopping in one place, then the Trafford Centre is the place for you. The City of Manchester is also served by an excellent public transport system of trains, buses, and trams.

In the city centre, you will find the Metro Shuttle Bus that is a free hop-on, hop-off bus service linking the main railway stations, business districts, and shopping centres. There is also the Metrolink tram service that connects all the major centres. There are even water taxis that provide quick and efficient transportation from the city centre to places such as the Old Trafford.

There are three universities in the city; The Manchester Metropolitan University, Royal Northern College of Music, and The University of Manchester that offer degree and diploma courses. One of the most notable secondary schools in the area is the Manchester Grammar School that was established in early 1515.

Is Manchester a Good Place to Work?

With its rich history, multicultural population, and diversity, Manchester is considered one of the best places to work and live in the UK. If you are thinking of moving to the United Kingdom, then you should consider settling in Manchester since it will be relatively easy to settle in as an expat. The city has the second fastest growing economy in the United Kingdom behind London.

In fact, the city generates approximately £56 billion gross value added (GVA) every year. The city is home to over 1.4 million workers with an unemployment rate of slightly below three percent. Both knowledge and creative industries are thriving in the city. The manufacturing sector is one of the leading employers in the rich history of Manchester thanks to the stable supply of workforce and Gas/electricity.

However, other niches such as biotechnology, ICT, research, and insurance have become influential in recent years. The cosmopolitan nature of the city has also meant a massive development in the media sector.

Salaries offered by the leading companies in Manchester are quite good compared to the national average with £35,000 being the average salary for a person working in Manchester.

Today, the City of Manchester has become home to some of the leading UK media brands. The creative and digital sector in the city employs over 630,000 people. In recent years, the city has also experienced rapid growth in the financial industry. In fact, the sector is one of the largest sources of employment in the town.

One of the most notable employers in the city is the Media City UK that is located on the banks of Manchester’s shipping canal. The project is home to leading media brands such as ITV, BBC, and Dock 10. Some of the biggest names in the food and manufacturing sectors are also in this city. The notable employers in the food industry are Warburtons, Kellogs, and Mcvities.

If you are a science enthusiast thinking of moving to Manchester, you will be delighted to learn that the father of nuclear Physics, Ernest Rutherford studies at the great University of Manchester. It is so clear that the strong education system in the city plays a critical role in what makes Manchester so dynamic.

Is Manchester a Good Place to Buy a House?

Manchester’s real estate market is booming thanks to the city’s stable economic growth. Currently, there are more modern apartments being built than ever before, and the development pipeline shows no sign of slowing down. In Manchester alone, almost 7,000 new apartments have been developed in the past year.

In the neighbouring Salford, more than 6,000 modern apartments have been built over the past one year and another 2, 000 in Salford Quays. These figures show you how competitive the housing market is on Manchester. Buying a house in any of the city’s affluent neighbourhoods is always a good idea. It doesn’t matter whether you are a local or an expat; you will always get something that suits your lifestyle.

Research shows that people are following the jobs and the strength of the city’s economic growth. The Media City, Airport City, and Manchester airport are some of the notable factors that underpin the increased demand of houses in the city and the surrounding areas. Generally, the housing prices in Manchester are relatively cheaper than in London, but they tend to be higher than in other cities in the country.

The average cost of a one-bedroom detached house in the city is £244,854. A two- bedroom house will cost anything between £318, 401 and £354,464. The price of a modern three-bedroom home ranges between £384, 301 to £450,600. A mortgage is readily available to potential homebuyers who have a good credit rating.

The amount of mortgage that you qualify for will depend on your financial worthiness and your monthly earnings. If you are looking to rent a house in this city, then you should be prepared to pay at least £500 for a one-bedroom flat apartment near the city centre and up to £900 for a three bedroom apartment. Some of the best places to live in Manchester include Salford, Prestwich, Altrincham, Castlefield, Sale, and Chorlton.

Is Manchester a Good Place to Invest in Property?

Real estate experts believe that the property for sale market in Manchester presents excellent investment opportunities. In fact, houses in the City of Manchester are among the best to invest in for landlords. According to the latest research, the price index in the City of Manchester is currently top of the table when it comes to returns on investment.

However, if you are looking to invest in the city’s booming house market, there are lots of things that you need to pay close attention to. You need to understand the home insurance costs, expected profit margins, and how to secure credit to finance your real estate purchase or development.

Over the years, Manchester has proved to be one of the top property investment destinations in the United Kingdom. Property investors in the city enjoy the highest house price growth in the country at 7.6 percent. What is more interesting is the fact there is a constant demand for housing in the area. Houses in the city are also discounted the least in the country which emphasises the strength and solidity of the real estate market in the region.

The housing market in other regions is almost collapsing, and the house prices have dipped, but nothing has changed in the North. Savvy property investors are moving away from London and investing in Manchester helping the city cement its status as the best residential property investment hot spot in the United Kingdom.

Banks are willing to offer low-interest credit to investors in the region, and the high number of students guarantees maximum returns on investment. The three leading universities in the area provide high-quality degree courses to local and international students.

Is Manchester a Good Place to Raise a Family?

For many years, the City of Manchester has always been regarded as a city for students, young professionals, and business workers. However, there has been an ever-growing population of young families choosing to work and live in the area. Many of them prefer the hustle and bustle Manchester over some of the other cities across the country such as Birmingham, Newcastle, London, and Liverpool.

The house prices in and around Manchester are more affordable to these young professionals who are starting their family lives. With readily available job opportunities, most of them don’t see the need to relocate to other cities to start their family life. Even those who want to rent love the fact that there has been a rapid increase in the number of properties available in recent years.

And it is not just the city centre that has attracted young families. Surrounding areas such as the Heatons, Worsely, Didsbury, Sale, and Chorlton have all captured the essence of young family living and are greatly benefiting from the increasing number of young family residents. But, the big question is; what does Manchester and the surrounding areas offer families? Well, parents have easy access to excellent schools and other children-friendly facilities.

In recent years, many schools have been constructed in the area to serve the community. The surrounding areas also provide families with easy access to council-owned green spaces and recreational parks. Most of the neighbourhoods in the region have a strong sense of community and family-friendly environments ideal for young kids.

Is Manchester a Good Place to Retire?

Apart from being an excellent place to live and work, Manchester is also a good place for retirees. You won’t face many challenges trying to find things to fill your time in Manchester. There are lots of things to do and see in this great city. You could take a walk around the town or enjoy shorter and peaceful walks in your neighbourhood.

The city boasts of many walking and cycling trails ideal for anyone looking to boost their level of fitness and stay healthy. Retirement properties for sale in the area are quite affordable and well designed to suit the unique lifestyles of seniors. The healthcare system is excellent with many private and community hospitals located within and outside Manchester.

The leading hospitals in the area include Manchester Royal Infirmary Hospital, Spire Manchester Hospital, and North Manchester General Hospital. Most of these hospitals specialise in providing great care for senior citizens. Retirement homes are quite affordable with a standard two-bedroom retirement home selling at approximately £364,786. For the best gas/electricity provider it’s good to check comparison sites.

The Manchester City Council has also made it easy for the elderly to get around the city. The city council’s official website offers a hub of useful information such as journey planners and information about the low bust and train fares as well as free travels for people who are over 60 years.

The city also has many museums and art galleries that offer free admission to seniors. This means that as a retiree living in this town, you can visit any of these art galleries and museums any time that you want.

Is Manchester a Good Place to Visit?

It doesn’t matter whether you are a resident or visitor; the City of Manchester is always a great place to be. The city celebrates its cultural diversity in all its public spaces and everything done here seems to tow that line. Manchester is a celebrated hub of fun activities and creativity where everyone is welcome.

The town’s diverse social and nightlife offers something for everyone. From the high-end restaurants to unique museums and art galleries, you won’t feel bored while visiting this great city. Ranked fifth in the entire world by the 2016 Ultimate Sports City Index, the City of Manchester is famous for its sporting heritage. There is a dedicated district in East Manchester for various sports such as cycling, athletes, and football.

Some of the standout places to visit in Manchester include the beautiful District National Park, Trafford Centre, Imperial War Museum, Museum of science and industry, and the famous Manchester Museum. The nightlife in this city is also buzzing. The City of Manchester is famed for being one of the liveliest cities in the United Kingdom.

It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for an upmarket wine bar or gourmet dinner, Manchester has it all. You can also find time to visit the Old Trafford stadium that is home to Manchester United and the Etihad Stadium that hosts the reigning English premier Champions, Manchester City.

The success of these two teams both on and off the pitch has made the City of Manchester to be recognised all over the world. Manchester is also an excellent base from which to explore the rest of the United Kingdom and Europe.