Living in Manchester

If you’re thinking about creating a home in Manchester, find out how this dynamic city can boost your quality of life and investment. Here are some of the top things about Manchester.
 

Transport

Getting around Manchester and its surroundings is incredibly easy thanks to an excellent transport network of local bus, rail, and tram services.

Bus services run across Greater Manchester, and the Metrolink connects the city centre to nearby suburbs and towns such as Altrincham and Didsbury.

The average journey time between Manchester and London is approximately two hours by train, and — if you fancy a weekend getaway in the countryside — the stunning sights of the Peak District and Lake District are only 1-2 hours’ drive from the city centre.

An expansive motorway network provides easy access to major cities across the UK, from London to Leeds, Birmingham and Bristol. The M6 Northbound links Manchester to the Lake District and Scotland, while the M6 Southbound connects the city to London and Wales.

The city is within close distance of Manchester Airport, an international flight hub that serves over 200 destinations throughout the UK, Europe, and further afield.
 

Economy

Since the industrial revolution, Manchester has played a crucial role in the UK’s economic growth. Today, it’s among some of the best performing cities in the county, bolstered by a thriving business landscape and a highly diversified economy.

The potential for career progression is promising across a range of industries, including the media and creative sector, financial and business services, manufacturing, and environmental technologies. Manchester is also a key location for several major national and global companies, from the BBC to ITV and Adidas.
 

Schools

Home to one of the UK’s most prestigious universities and a number of excellent primary and secondary schools, Manchester offers top-quality educational opportunities for all ages.

In 2018, Sale Grammar School, King David High School, and St Patrick’s RC High School were among some of the most highly-rated schools in the Greater Manchester area as identified by the Manchester Evening News.

The city’s highest-ranked institution, the University of Manchester, is renowned for its world-class research, academic pedigree, and exceptional student experience.

Additionally, there are a number of first-rate primary schools, specialist schools, and private schools throughout Manchester and its surrounding suburbs.
 

Things to Do

This bold, cultural hotspot is always pushing boundaries and welcoming open-minded people to its community, making it an excellent location for any first-time homebuyer.

History
Manchester’s economy jump-started during the Industrial Revolution, which encouraged intellectual and progressive discussions.

The city is the birthplace of the Suffragette movement and nuclear physics. Pay homage to the Suffragettes at the Pankhurst Centre, then visit the nearby University of Manchester for a guided tour of its iconic architecture and alumni.

Just outside the city is the stunning Lyme Park, the backdrop of where Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett met in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
 

Heaton Park

Heaton Park is a historic park area on the edge of Manchester with a wide array of attractions, offering a great day out for all ages. Visit the Animal Centre, Tram Museum and boating lake, or even try your hand at horse riding.
 

Royal Exchange Theatre

The Royal Exchange is one of the most celebrated theatres in the UK. As a former trading hall it has a very interesting interior. It was damaged badly by the 1996 IRA bomb, and it then underwent a £30m redevelopment and reopened two years later, so now it’s absolutely beautiful. Check it out!

There are a huge amount of events throughout the year at the park, including outdoor concerts, dramas and plays. Also, make sure to visit Heaton Hall’s restored 18th-century interiors, with an interesting collection of furniture and musical instruments in the Music Room.
 

Manchester Opera House

The Opera House on Quay Street is a 1,920-seater touring theatre that plays host to musicals, ballet, concerts and even a Christmas pantomime. It is a Grade II listed building and is pretty spectacular to look at.

Despite how brilliant this building is, believe it or not, it closed in 1979 and for five years it was a bingo hall! Luckily The Palace Trust acquired it in 1984 and returned it to a theatre. In 1990 it was acquired by Apollo Leisure and started staging large-scale musicals, and that is mostly what it is known for today.
 
Music
Manchester’s red-bricked buildings have birthed and inspired many bands, including Oasis, The Smiths, Chemical Brothers, Take That, and M People. If live gigs are your thing, catch some new or world-renowned bands playing at Yes, Band on the Wall, or Soup Kitchen. Vinyl lovers should make their way to some of the city’s top independent record stores, whether it be Vinyl Exchange, Eastern Bloc, or Piccadilly Records.

Festivals
From May to October, the city hosts a variety of festivals for its diverse residents.
Manchester Jazz Festival (May)
Celebrate your late May Bank Holiday weekend dancing to the best of jazz while enjoying the food stalls and festival bars with your family and friends.

Manchester International Festival (July)
This popular festival brings thousands of people to Manchester and runs every other year between 4-21 July. The world’s best artists flood the city for this event with 2019 being no exception, featuring Yoko Ono and Janelle Monáe.

Manchester Pride (August)
One of the largest Pride festivals in England, the world-famous Manchester Pride takes place over the August Bank Holiday.

Manchester Literature Festival (October)
This annual event offers creative opportunities for children, young people, readers, and writers. It provides the best contemporary writing around the world as well as creative writing activities.

Museums and Galleries
You cannot visit Manchester without acknowledging the global impact its arch-rival football teams – Manchester City and United – have on the sport. Premier League fans will love the city centre-based National Football Museum.

For a completely different experience, step into the city’s natural history museum and spend your day with over 20 mummies and a T-rex named Stan. The Manchester Museum also hosts evening After Hours events.

Contemporary art buffs will enjoy Manchester Art Gallery or the statement street art throughout the Northern Quarter.

Food and Drink
Manchester’s open-minded residents encourage a vibrant restaurant and drinks scene that offers cuisine as diverse as its locals.

For a taste of Italian, explore Ancoats, formerly known as Little Italy. Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza, an acclaimed restaurant that serves some of the best pizza in the city, is a staple in this neighbourhood. Find authentic Chinese where a three-tiered pagoda welcomes you to Chinatown in the heart of Manchester. Its vast array of restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets make this Europe’s largest Chinatown.

Stick to your healthy lifestyle with one of the city’s many health-conscious restaurants. The Foodwell offers daily yoga workshops, click and collect lunches during the weekday, and laid-back weekend brunch.

The artisanal coffee scene is thriving in the Northern Quarter, and some of the city’s top breweries and craft beer hotspots — including Port Street Beer House, Beermoth, and 57 Thomas Street — can be found in this area as well.

For a lively and inclusive night out, head to Gay Village located on Canal Street. Bars and clubs dot the street made famous in Queer As Folk.

Shopping
Manchester is a northern mecca for shopping, offering choices for all aesthetics. Head to one of the UK’s largest malls – Trafford Centre – whose classical Roman design is home to hundreds of stores including flagship branches of John Lewis and Selfridges.

If you support local designers, visit Tib Street Market or the Manchester Craft & Design Centre, an award-winning centre that stocks handmade ceramics and homeware items.

Outdoors
Greater Manchester offers plenty of green space to explore; Fletcher Moss Park and the Botanical Gardens are open every day and offer a lovely change of pace from the bustling city centre.

If you’re strolling through Canal Street, visit the Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens, which honours the father of modern computing.
 

Considering Buying Your First Home in Manchester? First Mortgage Can Help!

If you want to purchase property in Manchester, contact us today or visit one of our knowledgeable mortgage advisors who will help you buy your new home.