Thinking of moving. Manchester vs Cardiff

[jamesj197]

I'm currently living in Bristol and fancy a change. I've narrowed it down to Manchester or Cardiff and i was wondering what the pros and cons of each city are. I don't think i will live in the center of the cities probably in the suburbs and commute in.

Thanks,

James

Edited by jamesj197 on Tuesday 20th January 22:28

Edited by jamesj197 on Tuesday 20th January 22:28

[jamesj197]

Soir said:

Wouldn't recommend living just on outskirts of Manchester City centre, it's surrounded by most of the worst towns. Either do city centre or one of the suburbs at least 5-10 miles away

oops, i mean suburbs not outskirts of the city center. sorry i'll edit my post. thanks for the reply though.

[jamesj197]

Cardiff does look good. How do people in Cardiff treat people from England?

[jamesj197]

Thanks for all the information, I'm a keen mountain biker which is why it's between these two cities as they are both in good locations for trails. I'm still undecided on which to go for.

[jamesj197]

paulrockliffe said:

I reckon Manchester wins for biking, it's what I was doing when I was there so I know it like the back of my hand.

There's lots of good stuff in South Wales, but where Manchester wins is really riding from your door. If you start from Reddish Vale there are decent off road tracks and trails that link up various parks and housing estates out through Stockport, Werneth Low, through to Etherow Country Park and Marple. You can get a good evening ride in just with those trails. From Marple there's slightly better stuff that gets you as far as Hayfield and from Hayfield you're into the peak District proper. All from your back door if you have the energy. I used to get the train out to the Peaks and ride home. Really miss those trails as I've nothing comparable up where I am now :-(

If you've time to drive, you've got the Peaks, Calderdale, Rivington Pike all close enough in an evening and if you've more time on your hands North Wales, the Lakes and Yorkshire are not very far away. Wheelbase in Staveley can be got to in an hour and a quarter from South Manchester if you go first thing in the morning, from there you're straight into proper Lakes riding.

If you have to live in a city and you're into mountain biking you won't find a better place than Manchester.

I used to ride with a great club while I was there, www.meetup.com/manchestermountainbikers great for finding your way around and meeting people to ride with.

Thinking about it, if you want any type of cycling you're going to struggle to beat Manchester. National Cycle centre with velodrome, BMX centre. National standard BMX facilities in Platts Field Park. Really really good road riding, all hilly if that's your thing, or there's all the little lanes around the Cheshire Plains if you want flat riding. Great road racing scene and lots of road clubs too.

Thanks that's really helpful, Manchester's looking good. It's going to be a tough decision.

[jamesj197]

skahigh said:

Cardiff also has easy access to loads of Mountain biking, just by going straight up the Taff Trail into the Brecon Beacons. There's the recently opened bikepark wales and mountain biking clubs like halfway up.

That's what I'm aware of and I'm not even a mountain biker! Ask someone who knows about it and they can tell you how awesome mountain biking is around here.

Sounds like you will be happy whichever way you choose to go.

Both look like great places which makes the decision even harder. I think i will have to have a good look around each and see what they feel like.

[jamesj197]

Thanks for the help. I've had a look on some job websites and it looks like there are enough jobs for me in both Manchester and Cardiff.

[jamesj197]

h0b0 said:

I grew up in Saddleworth which is 30 minutes (13 miles) outside Manchester by train. It's a group of villages with an appearance similar to Holmfirth which is "Last of the Summer wine" country and is over the hill from the photo below. Greenfield has the station but you can live in any of the other villages. They still have a country village mentality with lots of local events. And, everywhere has access to some of the best biking you can find



Search for OL3 on right move for ideas.

Edited by h0b0 on Thursday 22 January 13:19

Looks great, Thanks.

[jamesj197]

Thanks for all the replies, so what areas do you recommend near Cardiff and Manchester. I would like to live in the suburbs possibly a town nearby. i would need to be able to commute in for work.

Thanks,

James

[jamesj197]

Wacky Racer said:

Have a look at Rossendale, 20 miles north of Manchester, and an easy 45mins commute. Beautiful countryside, low priced housing, (compared to South Manchester) and within two years will become the mountain bike centre of the UK.

http://www.moredirt.com/trail/United-Kingdom_North...





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmdgG4ipgsQ

That look's nice but i would like to have a commute of less than 30mins reallyif thats possible or would i have to live inside the m60?

[jamesj197]

Ken Figenus said:

James, Cardiff remains fairly motorist friendly (but they are working on it and for 2015 we have big brother invoices for bus lane and yellow box transgressions - progress ehh ) and business isn't necessarily located city centre (its more retail really). So its a lot more spread out which helps a lot. Loads of nice suburbs with a range of prices all within 3 miles of town. Further afield you are in the countryside really. A new way of thinking maybe!

What do you think of pontypridd?

[jamesj197]

What sort of areas would i be looking at with budget of £220k. Needs to be a 2 or 3 bed with parking for 2 cars. It looks like i can get better value for money around Manchester.
Thanks,
James

[jamesj197]

CRB14 said:

Other than the well known ultra-expensive areas I think you'll be ok pretty much everywhere on that budget. Flat of house is the question.

I'm looking at houses

[jamesj197]

North3rn Monk3y said:

I moved to Cardiff from the North West 4 and a half years ago.

Haven't looked back once.

People are very friendly.
The city is amazing - food, entertainment, events etc are very accesable.

I'm English and I'm not afraid to show it, I've been in town wearing my England rugby shirts on match days and just enjoyed the banter (may help that my Mrs is Welsh).

Cardiff is smaller by population than Manchester and definitely feels it. Plus the surrounding are amazing.
My parents always say that they love coming to visit and driving 10-15 mins to be out of the centre and pretty much into the countryside.

Are the roads fun for weekend driving?

[jamesj197]

Thanks for all the suggestions very helpful. Which would be better for driving fun at the weekends and which has better countryside?
Much appreciated,
James

Edited by jamesj197 on Monday 26th January 20:43