Manchester Travel Forum

Hi everyone,
I am moving to Manchester next week; I already have been there checking out the city and living but I would like to ask people living there if they have any up-to-date input to share. Regarding shopping for the house, transportation (I will not have a car), eating out, clothing stores, computer stores (THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE) and which cellphone SIM card to buy...
Thank you all in advance for your contribution,
Paula

drop me an email and I'll help you if I can.

Hi,
I live about thirty miles from Manchester and go there every so often.
Its a busy little city but with plenty to do. You will have no problem buying anything there are plenty of shops and you can always head to the city centre where there is huge shopping centre. Transport is plentiful but can be confusing. For shopping just head to Deans Gate.
Where abouts will you be living ? I will try to find out a little more to help you.
You should find most people more than happy to help.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask. My son and I will be going to Manchester in a few weeks time we love there museum there.

Best wishes
Julia

whereabouts in Manchester are you going to be?
Busy yes, little depends on your idea of little I suppose, but bigger than anything within 100 miles or so. Try Micro Direct for computer bits. They sell mostly on their website but I have found them helpful in the past in their base south of the city centre.

Travel will depend where you are living. The metro tram works well but is expensive and crowded at peak times. The most buses on a bus route in the world can be found on the Oxford Road out toward the universities and their halls of residence. Tell me where you are and I'll do my best.

There are an abundance of out of town retail parks that you will get things for the house from but for the classier things, I'll ask the wife! Selfridges, Kendalls, Harney Nicks in the city centre spring to mind.

Hey, thanks so far to people giving me inputs. I am going to live in Didsbury and I am going to learn and work (I do research) at the University too.I have checked nearby supermarkets, banks and I also found a gym (Virgin Active). I will need for transportation, basically, the 42 bus coming back and forth the University-home-going to the center. Anything else you find worth mentioning, please do.
Thanks,
Paula

Didsbury is OK - there are trams in Manchester but it will be a few years before they reach Didsbury so its a bus for now. Good city - some top shops and good for concerts. There is a large mall / shopping centre at the Trafford Centre. Have a look at the Manchester VT pages as there are some very good ones.

Didsbury then - on that No 42 bus route, it is alleged to be the busiest bus route in Europe.

Loads of bars and eateries in Didsbury, it is one of the happening places in Manchester

Check out the curry mile, Rusholme on that bus route, if you haven't done do already - it is a must for anyone spending any time in Manchester

Manchester has loads of bars and restaurants especially in the Didsbury corridor, many people I know prefer this part of town rather than the city centre.

Shopping - the Trafford Centre is a phenomenon of Manchester - the most popular tourist attraction in North West England - but I find a flaw apart from the clinical shopping mall mentality and that is the size of the shops. The rents are clearly so high that shop units are small and stock is not extensive - the city centre stores are much better in my experience. Afflecks Palace, off Oldham Street, city centre, still has a number of alternative clothing stalls that are a bit different from the chain stores the last time I looked but maybe others can help more with this.

The best night out is in 'South' on South King Street especially with Clint Boon on the decks, hey but I'm not much of a night owl these days and there is lots to choose from and you can take your choice not to be with old folk like me.

Manchester has loads to offer and don't forget the sport - you must get into the Rugby League at Salford Reds, Rugby Union at Sale Sharks in Stockport, cycling at the velodrome, speedway at Belle Vue Aces, Manchester Magic basketball now played in Whalley Range, ice hockey just started again at Altrincham and another popular sport which escapes me at the moment one team in red the other in blue

Enjoy Machestahhh