Manchester voted best place to live

Well what do you know…its official! Manchester has been named the number one city in the UK to live in. Not that it came as any great surprise to us at all, but it’s good to have it on paper.

Although it didn’t quite make the best city in the world, (Melbourne got that title thanks to its beaches and glorious sunshine no doubt) Manchester still topped the chart of over 140 other cities to take the number one spot in the UK. The study was based on a number of important factors including health care, education, culture and infrastructure – all areas which Manchester excels.

Even with our less desirable weather, Manchester far surpassed London on the list. Considering we’re supposed to be the UK’s ‘second city’, Manchester is very much at the forefront of this research - the capital didn’t even reach the top 50 of the global index this year. So what is it that makes residents love Manchester so much?

Fancy some grub? Look no further…

Some could say it’s the fine cuisine that keeps the punters happy. Whether you’re into world class restaurants or a simple chips and gravy, Manchester caters to all and has hundreds of eateries to please all taste buds. If that wasn’t enough, there’s an array of bars, pubs and other cool hangouts meaning there’s always somewhere to venture to on a rainy day. And trust us, we get those days a lot.  

A whole lotta history

It’s a good thing we’re not too bothered about the weather, as one thing Manchester is known for is its beautiful canals and rivers. Not content with a port in Liverpool just a few miles away, the Manchester Ship Canal was born in the late 1800s and cost millions of pounds to create even back then. It’s a powerful piece of Manchester’s history and due to it taking years to construct and it spanning across 36 miles of the North West, it continually brings tourists back to the city time and time again. If you ever visit Manchester, there’s no way you’ll miss it.  

We’ve got a lot of love to give

You might say it’s the friendly nature of us Mancunians that keeps people drawn to the city. Known for our happy-go-lucky approach, us lot will gladly stop in the street and help out a complete stranger. Maybe even have a quick chin wag. And we all know that doesn’t happen quite as often in other areas. Even the friendly rivalry that goes on between our two historic football teams doesn’t stop us from treating everyone with the same cheeriness – we like spreading the love.

Living in here is a ball

Speaking of football, there’s no doubt that the famous Manchester stadiums will one of the reasons why so many of us love the city. Whether a ‘red’ or ‘blue’, the passion of the fans keeps the city alive. Here at Ascend, we couldn’t pick a side, as both teams are pretty spectacular in their own way, having been a part of Manchester’s history for hundreds of years and it’s what makes living here so exciting.  

You’ll never be bored

So many of us flock to Manchester for its general buzz and great vibe throughout the city. There’s so much to do it’s hard to know where to start. Museums, walking tours and historic landmarks mean there’s always something new to learn about, while the sheer number of shops and markets means you’ll always be kitted out in the latest clobber whatever you do. From the Arndale to the Trafford Centre, there’s literally so much choice. And there’s no need to worry about your budget, because the beauty of Manchester means it appeals to all price ranges, from designer to one off bargains.

And the fun doesn’t stop there

Manchester may already be at the top, but it’s still growing to this day. With investment piling in all round the city, you only have to turn a corner to see a new building pop up or some construction underway. Even when you think you’ve seen all that Manchester has to offer, you’ll soon be uncovering new hidden gems before you know it. The city is constantly adapting and changing, whether it’s a fancy new place opening up for the weekend or a huge new project like the Metrolink which has transformed how we travel; Manchester just keeps getting bigger and better each and every day, and we can’t help but love it.

There’s so much to say about Manchester you could never fit it all on one post, but you can read more about why we think it’s so great here. In all honesty, we shouldn’t have to tell you how good this wonderful city is. Come and see it for yourself by checking out the finest properties we’ve got to offer. If all that wasn’t enough and you’d like further information on this fabulous place that we call home, call us on 0161 637 8336 and speak to one of our team, we’ll be happy to help.