Manchester is one of the United Kingdom’s largest metropolitan areas located in North West England. The city had a reputation for being an industrial powerhouse but has morphed itself into one of the most desirable places to live in all of the United Kingdom.

City Centre

The bustling city centre of Manchester is highlighted by the Piccadilly Gardens. This large square contains fountains and many listed buildings. The gardens are located off of Market Street a commercial street with a large number of shops. Also of particular interest is the Northern Quarter of the city. This area is known for small shops and cafes as well as music and nightlife.

Economy

At one time Manchester was known as an industrial city, however that reputation has come and gone. The City has shed its industrial reputation and has become a city of commerce. Rapid development has caused Manchester to morph into a service based economy. Major sectors of business are finance and banking, insurance, education, and legal. The job market is rapidly expanding providing more jobs in Manchester than ever before.

Transport

Manchester has an easily accessible transport grid. The city centre is easily navigable by foot. However, if necessary, the Metrolink provides mass transit use for commuters. The Metrolink has two lines in use as of now but there are plans to add additional lines in the future. The city also uses local trains as well as buses. There are maps throughout the city to provide visitors and citizens information. Manchester Airport is located in the south of the city and has easy connections to the centre by bus and train. There are plans in the future to connect to the Metrolink.

Sport

In case you haven’t heard, the city is home to one of largest, if not the largest, football clubs in the world. Manchester United plays in Trafford at Old Trafford, a football stadium that can seat over 70,000 people. Along with Manchester United, the city is home to Manchester City. This up and coming team plays at City of Manchester Stadium and is now one of the best teams in the premier league. Manchester also hosts international tournaments that include cricket, rugby and lacrosse.

Education

Some people call Manchester a university city due to the fact that it has two of the biggest universities in all of England. Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University offer students the opportunity to study a wide variety of subjects. Multiculturalism has increased the need for language schools in the city and it is now easy to find these schools throughout the school.

It is easy to see why this city has continued to grow physically and economically in the past few decades. Manchester is a great place to live. So brush off your CV and prepare for interview questions because Manchester might be the right place for you.