It’s difficult to pinpoint one reason as to why Manchester is the best city in the world. As an Essex girl, it wasn’t somewhere I visited at all prior to university, and yet something about it attracted me much more than the comparatively nearby cities of London, Norwich or Bristol. I often wonder which of Manchester’s attractions most appealed to me when making the decision to move here and stay here. Four years on, and you’ll be pleased to find out that many different factors come to mind. While everyone has their own set of likes and dislikes when it comes to the town or city they live in, I wholeheartedly believe that Manchester is the perfect place to live because it genuinely has something for everyone (without the outrageous prices of similar cities!) 

One of the first things that comes to mind when many people think of Manchester is music. The music scene of Manchester held major appeal to my hipster teenage sensibilities, with bands such as The Smiths, Oasis and The Chemical Brothers hailing from the city, inspiring an authentically indie and creative atmosphere in Manchester. With bands playing all over venues in the city, it’s pretty much a guarantee that somewhere in Manchester, there’s a gig playing for any and all music tastes. One of my favourite venues is Academy 2, conveniently located inside the University’s Student Union and hosting amazing bands like ‘Slaughter Beach, Dog’ and ‘Chase Atlantic’, to name a few acts I’ve had the joy of seeing since living here! 

Manchester’s Northern Quarter

With the amazing music scene in mind, it’s no wonder that I became further enamoured with the city following my countless visits to the Northern Quarter; a haven of quirky thrift shops and stylish brunch spots, as well as the infamous Affleck’s Palace which attracts visitors from all walks of life, eager to peruse and purchase alternative fashion, collectibles and general good vibes. I’d honestly argue that no other city in the UK truly encapsulates the aesthetic and community spirit of the alternative fashion scene better than Manchester does! 

Additionally, it is thanks to Manchester’s impeccably inclusive LGBTQ+ scene that I found and met some of my closest friends, as the Gay Village is a jewel in the heart of town, bursting with the most talented drag artists I think I’ve ever had the luck to encounter. Manchester’s elaborate Pride celebrations each year are immensely entertaining, but it’s the year-round energy purported in Gay Village that made me sure that Manchester would be not only a safe place to live, but also a place that authentically celebrates differences and equality.  

While the music, fashion and inclusivity of Manchester are already immensely captivating draws, there was also something exciting about the continuous growth of the city. The number of new developments in property, retail, hospitality and business makes Manchester a swiftly changing and lively place to live, with new attractions opening every weekend both in the city centre as well as in the outer boroughs, which are easily accessible with efficient bus and tram services. Living here and watching the growth of the city in real time is fascinating, as I know that all the things that are already amazing about Manchester are only going to become more amplified as time goes on. 

Written by Mia, current MSc Marketing student at AMBS

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