Living in Manchester: tips and advice

On the heels of Edinburgh and London, Manchester is the third highest ranked “student” city in the UK. The QS World University Rankings® 2016-2017 include three of Manchester’s universities, with the most well-known being the University of Manchester. These world-class universities attract students from all around the world, adding to the vibrant, exciting culture that is the heartbeat of Manchester.

The University of Manchester can offer international students the opportunity to actively pursue a successful life and career. The university prides itself on its research programs, which are integral for students going into educational fields.

On the other hand, the Manchester Business School is proudly second in the entirety of the UK for its research capabilities. The university offers spectacular programs for business management, covering all particular niches from healthcare to accounting to startup preparation.

The Manchester Metropolitan University has a sprawling campus, offering six different faculties with 12 research centers and a phenomenal support system in place for the students. Many students study at Manchester due to these fine examples of modern education and their additional benefits.

For those who are musically inclined, the Royal College of Music is known the world over as one of the leading conservatories. Plus, its roll call includes many international teachers, which is very welcoming for students studying abroad. They also supply many players to a number of London’s premier orchestras, which is very attractive to students hoping to fill a chair.

Manchester has a very compact city centre, which makes walking a popular mode of transportation. However, when you need to get around the city and its surrounding suburbs and outer lying areas, Manchester offers buses, trams and trains at reasonable prices and on a convenient timetable.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) offers a great planning tool for those wishing to utilize Manchester’s transportation system. Metroshuttle offers a “hop on and hop off’ service from Manchester’s city centre, which connects to all of the major railway lines and shopping and entertainment districts. Manchester also offers a convenient bus service to help you get where you want to go. Plus, the Metrolink provides residents and visitors alike with one of the most popular light railway systems in all of England.

If you decide to travel outside of Manchester, there are also other great options for a day trip outside of the city. The rail network sweeps passengers away to neighboring locales like Bolton, Ashton-under-Lyne, Rochdale, Oldham, Wigan and Stockport . Now, if you just can’t wait to get that bike out in Manchester, expect the luxury of dedicated cycle lanes through popular routes in the city centre, as well as some neighboring areas. The TfGM cycling website provides maps, planning tools, event listings and just about anything else you might need to know to make cycling in Manchester fun and convenient.

Manchester Water Taxis are also a fairly new transportation option. They run every day of the week, with lines between Old Trafford, Trafford Centre and the city centre.

If you’re ready to party the night away, Manchester will not disappoint. With one of the most thrilling nightlife scenes in the entire UK, there are options to suit every group. If you like the taste of champagne on a warm summer night, try all 15 variations at Epernay Manchester. For a more luxurious evening where you can really people watch, try a hotel bar like Cloud 23 in the Hilton Manchester Deansgate or Mr. Coopers House & Garden in The Midland Hotel.

If a regular pub is more your style, go for The Britons Protection, boasting a real wood-burning fireplace and a beer garden. Be sure to sample their excellent range of whiskies.

If you’re passing through the Northern Quarter for the night, the Wharf in Castlefield has a wonderful selection of ales. You can also stop in Walrus or the The Whisky Jar, which is set in an old textile mill.

Nestled comfortably in northwest England, Manchester has grown from its humble beginnings as an industrial town to a real cultural spot. In Manchester, you’ll see things unique to only this area, like modern restaurants housed in old Victorian warehouses or local designers operating from a lovingly restored fish market. And if you have shopping on the brain, gorgeous Art Deco centers beckon with local wares and stunning styles. To be certain, you will never run out of culture, nightlife or delectable dining in Manchester.

If art is what you’re after, visit the Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth. For a view of mesmerizing gothic architecture, head to the John Rylands Library or the wondrous Manchester Cathedral. Manchester Museum and the Imperial War Museum North offer a peek into not only the history of Manchester, but also other significant parts of the UK.

But if you think of Manchester, one of the first things to come to mind is probably football. Take in a game or two at Manchester United and Manchester City, where tours are also offered to inquisitive fans. And if you’d like to learn more about the game itself, visit the National Football Museum.

And if you want to revel a bit in the great outdoors, a short venture outside of Manchester’s centre can take you to green spaces at Sale Water Park, Hollingworth Lake, Heaton Park and Haigh Hall.

Boasting a history chock full of musical greats, you can find live music in Manchester on a minute’s notice. If you’re thinking big, then take in your favorite artist at the Manchester Arena, where you can catch acts like The Rolling Stones or Madonna. If you love to tap your feet to a bit of jazz, then head over to Band on the Wall, which has been around since the 1930s.

If you’re a bit less pretentious and have a more eclectic musical taste, make your rounds to South. Or to see what Manchester may have been like in the 70s, be sure to experience Clint Boon’s Disco Rescue on Saturday nights. Want more? Then try the cabaret at The Birdcage.