Why graduates come to love Manchester so much, they end up staying . . .
GREAT PEOPLE, BRILLIANT NIGHTLIFE AND A BOOMING JOBS MARKET WINS VOTE!
THEY have the world at their feet – but these promising young graduates only want to live in Manchester.
Home to four universities, Greater Manchester draws thousands of young people to study each year, many local, but many others from other parts of the country, or even further.
And a growing number of those completing their qualifications are choosing to stay put.
With an increasing number of exciting jobs in the media, digital, science and the financial sector – combined with a booming food and bar scene – Manchester can arguably lay claim to being the best city in the UK for graduates.
But don’t take our word for it, here’s what graduates living in Manchester say.
“There are lots of other young professionals. It feels like a young city” Charlotte Caley, 28, from Doncaster, graduated from the University of Manchester in 2012, with a degree in Spanish and Italian.
She said: “As cringey as it sounds, I think it’s the people, they’re the best. They are really friendly and when I walk down the street someone will always say hello or good morning.
“The people here are really helpful and I always feel safe walking down the street.
“Lots of my friends moved to London but I like being in the north, it’s close to home, and my sister and boyfriend also live here.
“The nightlife is great, too. I live in Ancoats and there are lots of young professionals around, so it definitely feels like a young city.
“I also love the diverse cultures, the amazing restaurants and all the different fitness options, like yoga and crossfit.” “It is always buzzing” Unlike the others, Mike Swain did not study in Manchester. But he moved to the city not long after completing his university degree. The 25-year-old is originally from Driffield, in east Yorkshire. After studying journalism at Northumbria University, Mike decided to make the move to Manchester, just over a year ago after being drawn to its thriving nightlife scene. Despite never having lived in the city before, he now calls Ancoats home and works in digital marketing. He said: “I moved for work really. I went to Northumbria University in Newcastle, so after a year out travelling I started applying for jobs in Newcastle and Manchester but there are a lot more opportunities for young professionals here. “It’s a bigger city than Newcastle and it’s got a lot going on, there’s also a lot of different places to live, from Spinningfields to Ancoats, and part of the appeal is exploring different sides of the city. “Obviously the nightlife has something for everyone; Warehouse Project keeps the weekends entertaining in winter and Northern Quarter is always buzzing throughout summer.” What makes Manchester the best place for graduates to live?
property
For those looking to set down permanent roots and buy their own home, there are fantastic options.
According to the Land Registry, the average home in Manchester will set you back around £155,325, which, compared to London, where the average is around £575,352, is a bargain. If you’re looking to rent a city centre apartment, Castlefield and the Green Quarter are good starting points, for a period house share if you look a little further out there will be something for your budget.
According to SpareRoom, Manchester is one of the most searched cities in the country.
Rooms in the area have been searched for more than 400,000 times since 2015.
jobs
The creation of MediaCity UK in 2011 helped bring thousands of roles to the region, across more than 200 companies.
And this is only set to increase with its £1bn expansion scheme over the next ten years, which will create 1,400 new homes and hundreds of jobs.
TechNation’s latest report revealed that between 2011 and 2015, the city saw 898 start up companies. The £10m Space Studios development in West Gorton, which has been used to film award winning The A Word and ITV hit drama Cold Feet, has been an example of this. With the biggest UK creative and tech centre outside of the capital the region has an enviable track record in the delivery of high-end drama production in the UK.
nightlife
Former city students will know some of the city’s clubs all too well. But for young professionals just arriving in the city, the Northern Quarter and Ancoats are the places for quirky, independent bars and restaurants.
For foodies, Mayfield Depot is a must. Food fair GRUB opened at the site earlier this summer with a range of street vendors – which constantly rotate – offering some of the best food around.
Didsbury is a popular destination for students and professionals alike, boasting bars like Folk and Volta, while Chorlton and the Heatons, in Stockport, are brimming with options for fine dining and craft ale.
Altrincham Market, in Trafford, is a 180-seat dining space with a host of independent cafes, restaurants and bars, and is also proving a big hit.
universities
For postgraduate study or careers in research, Manchester is streets ahead of most.
According to the Complete University Guide league table, the University of Manchester is the 22nd best institution in the country.
Manchester Metropolitan is also massively popular and came 62nd in the latest league tables.
Just outside, Salford University is another fantastic choice, coming 98th in the most recent guide.
transport
It’s fair to say that Manchester is a well-connected city.
A tram station connects the city centre to Tameside, Bury, Rochdale, Trafford, Oldham and Salford.
Any number of the city’s train stations – Deansgate, Oxford Road, Piccadilly and Victoria – all run regular services across the region and beyond.
And though you may have chosen Manchester over London, you can still be in the capital in just over two hours.
Manchester city centre also has a free bus service, which is great to get from one side of the city to the other.
I think it’s the people, they’re the best. They are really friendly Charlotte Caley