Manchester isn’t always the first place that comes to mind when people consider relocating to the United Kingdom. Still, the city’s rapid growth has made it a popular choice for many Brits and foreigners alike.

In this article, we’ll discuss what really makes Manchester one of the most viable places to live in the United Kingdom. 

Why are millennials moving to Manchester?

Millennials and other younger generations are moving to Manchester because they want to pursue an untapped market and take advantage of Manchester’s rapidly expanding economy. 

Furthermore, Manchester has a 40% lower cost of living than London, which is why many millennials prefer living there.

The statistics by Numbeo has sparked a significant rise in local employment and population in Manchester in the past couple of years.

What makes Manchester more attractive to the younger generation?

According to data, Manchester has the youngest average age of any city in the United Kingdom.

Studies have shown that Manchester has the youngest population in the UK, with an average age of 33 years, even though the national average is 40.

In addition, more than a third of the population is under 42, making it a popular destination for young professionals.

Let’s look at the four primary factors that make Manchester attractive to millennials and even gen Zs’.

Manchester has affordable living costs.

As reported by Business Insider, 70% of millennials are living paycheque to paycheque. The rising living costs across the UK have made it more crucial than ever to keep costs down for the benefit of younger generations.

Manchester, thankfully, is one of the more reasonably priced English cities, providing many of London’s amenities without the astronomical costs.

Studies have further shown that rents in the North West of the United Kingdom are one of the most reasonably priced in the country.

Compared to Manchester’s average house price of £210,171, the London average now stands at £516,285.

This pricing means that property in Manchester costs 7.4 times the average yearly gross pay, while in London, it costs 12.3 times as much.

Consumer prices (including rent) are 31.92% cheaper in Manchester than in London. Moreover, according to Numbeo, the rent is around 31% to 54.1% more affordable.

Manchester has plenty of career opportunities.

There are some professions (such as admissions or marketing) where the pay gap between the two cities is relatively small.

To give you an idea of the range, a Digital Marketing Manager in London can expect to make roughly £44,000 per year. In comparison, in Manchester, they can expect to make around £35,000.

This disparity is especially apparent in the software industry, with most of the world’s top banking and technology firms in London.

Another example would be a software developer working for a bank or large company in London may expect to earn between £60,000 and £120,000 per year. Yet, that figure drops in Manchester between £45,000 and £60,000.

For many reasons, Manchester is an excellent place for artists. It’s widely recognised as the North’s cultural epicentre, especially in marketing and design.

To date, there are more than 9000 arts and technology businesses within this metro. These staggering figures generate an annual gross value of £3.8 billion, which directly or indirectly affects the livelihood of almost 78,000 individuals.

Mancunians have a good quality of life.

If you’re looking for a high quality of life, you will find few cities that can compare to Manchester.

Manchester has everything a student or young professional could want: unique bars, underground clubs, vegetarian restaurants and more.

Furthermore, the Global Liveability Survey assessed 140 global cities and found Manchester was the best location in the United Kingdom. This survey included health care, education, culture, and infrastructure measures.

Manchester has a plethora of cultural and entertainment spots.

As a metropolis filled with cultural institutions, sporting hangouts, and chic nightspots, Manchester is a natural attraction for the millennial generation.

The city’s cafes, restaurants, and bars go on forever, and every day brings the debut of a new hotspot.  The international food scene offers a little bit of everything, and there are options to suit any budget or craving.

In addition, here you can find some of the largest sports fan bases in the world in Manchester.

Visitors and residents can immerse themselves in a culture of unabashed football (soccer) fandom at Manchester United and Manchester City’s stadiums.

On the other hand, Manchester is also full of bohemian artists. The Northern Quarter is where some of the world’s most iconic music venues have a rather diverse street art community.

Manchester is an amazing city for young people of its Instagram-worthy street art, hip cafes, and exciting nightlife.

What are the best areas in Manchester for students?

Some of the best areas in Manchester for students are Followfield, Hulme, Rusholme, and Oxford Road. Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Manchester is an exciting and diverse city with a lot to offer. With its four major institutions, it is a cultural and creative centre that makes for an exciting learning environment.

There’s a large number of students living in and visiting the city, and every business in this area recognizes the value of catering to them.

Street markets and unique cafés are springing up all over the city, and there are plenty of student discounts to take advantage of so that you can sample the city’s many culinary offerings without breaking the bank.

Fallowfield

Fallowfield is one of Manchester’s most populated neighbourhoods. Its enormous student population is mainly due to the abundance of dormitories and other student housing options. For the sake of getting a little wild as the first year, this is the perfect place to be!

If you don’t feel like venturing into town, 256 has pubs and clubs with events every day of the week, but the main draw of Fallowfield is the house parties.

The neighbourhood used to be notorious for its wild parties. Still, things have settled down a bit since the days when a thousand people would gather at a single residence.

Fallowfield also has plenty of takeaway options to ease the next day’s hangover. One of the most popular is Tzatzikis, a Greek deli that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sweets in-house.

Hulme

Hulme is favoured by Manchester’s third- and fourth-year students and individuals who prefer a more tranquil environment for its relaxed atmosphere.

Even though Hulme had a poor rep for a long time, the area has seen significant investment in the recent decade. Hulme is now a much brighter location, with a mix of historic and newer buildings for its homes.

There’s a large Asda for all your weekly shopping needs, plus a B&M for dorm room décor on a dime.

For restaurants and entertainment, you’ll find Kim’s Kitchen on Old Birley Street, a café and restaurant that commits to utilising only locally and sustainably sourced ingredients.

A good option for night outs would be NIAMOS, a local theatre that hosts jam nights, workshops, classes, and shows.

Rusholme

Rusholme is one of the cheapest parts of Manchester for students to live in. It has excellent tram connections to the downtown area. A place where you may go out and experience a wide range of cultures and people.

In addition, a wide variety of eateries can be found along “The Curry Mile,” including Turkish, Afghan, Indian, South African, Palestinian, Jamaican, and Chinese fare. Furthermore, they provide a special rate for students, which you should take advantage of.

Due to its proximity to the Curry Mile, the neighbourhood is often lively. Locals highly recommend the Rusholme Place and Park View student residences if you’re searching for a good time.

Oxford Road

If you’re the kind to “roll out of bed and into classes,” this street has you covered since it is home to both the University of Manchester’s main campus and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Its location is convenient for students since it is close to the heart of Manchester while yet being relatively close to other student districts.

The Palace Theatre, where you can see fantastic shows like “The Lion King” and “We Will Rock You,” is located on Oxford Road.

For art enthusiasts, “The Whitworth” has a vast art gallery and an associated park that is great for unwinding and relaxing.

Furthermore, NQ64 is a fantastic retro arcade bar featuring many arcade games on a simple token system, Playstations, GameCubes, and a Nintendo 64.

Our Final Thoughts

Millennials and Gen Z are currently in their life stage where they seek out the best places to enrich their lives while also thriving in their careers.

That said, Manchester has shown that its current economy and great future potential are too good to pass up, especially with the ever-changing markets and budding industries on the rise.

Furthermore, the city and its venues gravitate towards catering to the younger population.

Whether it’s arcade games or drinking games, these venues allow young people to have fun while also exploring the adulting side of life.

Conclusively, it’s no question why the lively and optimistic city is quite attractive to the younger generation and possibly its future derivatives.

FAQs about Millenials moving to Manchester