Why Consider Moving to Manchester

There are many things you need to keep in mind when moving to a different place, especially if it is a big city like Manchester and this is your first time migrating from your home town.

Manchester is one of the major cities in the UK, with a population of 2,770,000, and it consists of ten metropolitan boroughs. Mostly popular for its cultural diversity and friendly people, the city also has one of the largest student populations in the country because of the 4 universities it hosts – the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Salford and the University of Bolton.

So if you are someone who:

• Is “on the fence” about moving to Manchester;
• Is wondering how is life in Manchester;
  
• Is soon to become a student in the city.
  

We are here to give you a short guide about relocating to Manchester along with some useful things you need to know before going there.

Why is Manchester a good place to live?

No matter if you are a student interested in the learning opportunities and the cultural life of the city or someone looking for a job, Manchester has it all. It’s like a laid-back, slower-paced, family-friendly version of London which can offer:

• Job opportunities: There are plenty of job opportunities in Manchester as it’s still quite a large metropolitan area. Even if the salaries aren’t as big as the ones in the capital, the cost of living is quite lower, as well.
• Lots of cultural events and locations: Because of all the students there, coming from all sorts of cities and countries around the world, the amount of cultural events and locations is astounding. Places like the Whitworth Art Gallery, unique musical venues and amazing local landmarks like The Deaf Institute or Band On The Wall are sure to leave you breathless and yearning for more.
• Excellent public transport system: The organized public transport that consists of trams and buses is easy to learn and use, so you don’t have any problem getting from point A to point B.
• Perfect place for sports fans: Home to the football clubs of Manchester United and Manchester City, it’s a great place for football fans. But if you don’t like football, many other excellent sports facilities, such as the Manchester Aquatics Centre, Regional Athletics Arena and National Squash Centre, are open for public use. You can also have a great time and get fun at the Manchester Velodrome or the Chill Factore snow centre.

All jokes aside, despite the grumpy weather, Manchester folks are known to be quite friendly and open-minded people who will never turn their back on someone in need.

Living in Manchester: general pros and cons

Just like any other city, Manchester has its own advantages and disadvantages. Considering these factors is essential as some of them are quite important and can impact your life and your decision to move to Manchester.

Pros

Cons

What you should know before moving to Manchester

Here are some important details that you should consider before moving to Manchester:

How difficult the move to Manchest will be?

There is no doubt that the more items you have, the more difficult and costly the move will be. You will have to pack every single item as well as choose a company that provides reliable removal service to take care of loading and transporting everything to your new address.
That’s why you should start planning your move as soon as possible. That way, you will have enough time to look around for a new home, pack up all of your belongings, and be ready for your move when the time comes.

Where to live in Manchester?

Full of life and opportunities, Manchester has different neighbourhoods, each of which has its own vibe. They have a unique history, a current state of development, and a reputation influenced by those aspects. That’s why before your move to Manchester, you should research the different neighbourhoods so that you can narrow down your options and pick a suitable place to live.

Documentation

Aside from everything else you need to consider before moving to Manchester, you must also ensure you have prepared all the necessary documents. It is especially important to take this into account if you are planning to buy a property, as you’ll need time to complete all the paperwork associated with that purchase.

Visa

All non-UK residents must have a Visa to live in Manchester. The requirements are different for European, American, and Australian citizens and people from non-commonwealth countries. Based on the purpose of your stay in the UK, your visa could be for: study, work, relocation with family or permanent residence.

Driving license

As a resident of the United Kingdom, you can keep your license if you move to Manchester from another part of the country, but you will need to update your address to the new one.

In order to exchange a foreign driver’s license, you will need proof that you took the driving test in a manual transmission car. Otherwise, you’ll only be able to exchange your license for an automatic one.

Get professional assistance for your move!

Moving to Manchester can be stressful. But choosing a reliable removal company will save you a lot of time and hassle and make your move much easier.

Most relocation companies offer a wide range of services like professional packing service, unpacking, and even delivery of packing boxes and materials. You can also benefit from a storage service and be sure that your belongings are in a secure place until you want them delivered to your new address.

Have any personal experiences living in Manchester? Please, share them in the comments below. Blue or Red?

Image source: depositphotos / sakhanphotography