[Archived] Moving To The Uk

[emerton]

After 8 months of travelling South America & Europe I am looking to settle down for 6 or so months or so in the UK for a change of scenery and a chance to regularly attend Rovers game.

I have obtained 2 year youth mobility visa and at the moment I think Manchester is the best option for me in a professional & social point of view. I work in marketing and would hopefully like to obtain a similar role overseas but may have to settle for some temp/part time work.

My main queries are:

Do many fans commute from Manchester to Ewood? If so is it around 45mins via train?

Do many firms have regional / head offices in Manchester?

Is there areas to live which are a good compromise of affordable / presentable / decent locations.

Any advice would be great – I can’t wait to get to Ewood Park to cheer on the lads.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

After 8 months of travelling South America & Europe I am looking to settle down for 6 or so months or so in the UK for a change of scenery and a chance to regularly attend Rovers game.

I have obtained 2 year youth mobility visa and at the moment I think Manchester is the best option for me in a professional & social point of view. I work in marketing and would hopefully like to obtain a similar role overseas but may have to settle for some temp/part time work.

My main queries are:

Do many fans commute from Manchester to Ewood? If so is it around 45mins via train?

Do many firms have regional / head offices in Manchester?

Is there areas to live which are a good compromise of affordable / presentable / decent locations.

Any advice would be great – I can’t wait to get to Ewood Park to cheer on the lads.

Hiya Emerton

I worked in central Manchester for a few years before coming out to the lucky country late last year so maybe I can help. I dont think there are that many who regularly travel from the city up to Ewood as, whilst loads of Rovers fans work there, the proximity of the city to Blackburn means that most commute. That said there are a number who post on here who live in Manchester.

Prior to the financial crisis Manchester was experiencing a bit of a boom and lots of big companies have large regional offices in the city. As you probably know the UK was hit pretty hard and has struggled to recover so I dont know how you'll get on looking for work as I worked in the public sector.

Manchester underwent a real property boom up until the downturn and there are absolutely loads of new (and often very nice!) appartments in the city centre. They were extorionate but you might get somewhere decent quite reasonably priced now. There have been some large scale gentrification of places like Ancoats and there are loads of new places there and in The Northern Quarter. They are districts just north of the CBD and I think there are some similar areas on the south side of the city centre.

Manchester is still a vibrant city with some great music and comedy venues. There are all sorts of bars and restaurants which are reasonably priced compared some cities down south.

You have to be a bit careful, Manchester has earned itself a bit of a reputation and, at the risk of upsetting the mb Mancs, can be a violent city. Some areas in the south are best avoided and Salford is a real no no.

Any way good luck and all the best from sunny Adelaide.

[RoversFanUSA]

Just thought I'd throw my 2p worth of info that I have. When I traveled from Manchester to Blackburn it took about 45min or so. Taking the train from manchester to Bolton then a transfer over to another train to Blackburn and then a quick 10min (if that) bus trip will drop you off right in front of EWood. Hope that helps. It's all the info I got. Best of luck.

[Paul]

Is there areas to live which are a good compromise of affordable / presentable / decent locations

My son shares a really nice two bedroom, two bathroom appartment with a friend for £630/month plus bills. It's located five minutes walk from Oxford Road. Seems like a very good deal for a modern, city centre flat. Better than anywhere I lived when I was in my 20s!!!!

I'm told the better deals are in the city rather than in the outer areas which are heavily sold to the student population

[mellison24]

Just thought I'd throw my 2p worth of info that I have. When I traveled from Manchester to Blackburn it took about 45min or so. Taking the train from manchester to Bolton then a transfer over to another train to Blackburn and then a quick 10min (if that) bus trip will drop you off right in front of EWood. Hope that helps. It's all the info I got. Best of luck.

Or better yet: Manchester (Victoria Station) to Blackburn in 45mins for only 6 or 7 pounds! In terms of travel in/out of Manc, you'll be fine Emerton. I wouldn't know how you'd get on interms of work. Best bet is to just ask around. You'll often find jobs that aren't advertised as vacant if you simply ask people in-store or wherever you decide to look.

[vintageadidas]

Many of my friends did or still do commute from University in Manchester back for Rovers home games. The easiest option is definitely the train from Manchester Victoria to Blackburn as it is direct and only cost around £6 as previously stated.

I don’t think you will have a problem finding temporary work in order to earn some money. However, this may not be in your chosen field but below are a few websites that perhaps could help in your search:

• Reed

• Total Jobs

• Fish for Jobs

• Twitter Jobs

• Jobwise

• My Manchester Jobs

Good luck and if you fancy meeting for a few beers before a game then drop us a message…..or fancy sampling an away game do the same.

[emerton]

Much appreciate the advice!

My arrival is still a while away but I hope to be settled in around October / November.

If I can get a small apartment fully furnished in the vicinity of Manchester Victoria station that seems like the best way to stay in touch with Ewood & the city.

Cheers.

[colin]

You have to be a bit careful, Manchester has earned itself a bit of a reputation and, at the risk of upsetting the mb Mancs, can be a violent city. Some areas in the south are best avoided and Salford is a real no no.

Gosh Deryck,

You paint a dismal picture.

Every city can be a "violent city." Manchester is no different from anywhere else really. Good bits, less good bits. You make the place seem like a possible death sentence. Neither is Salford really the hell-hole you make it out the be. It's a bit carp in parts but the people who live there are just like you and me.

Cheersw

Colin

[jim mk2]

Much appreciate the advice!

My arrival is still a while away but I hope to be settled in around October / November.

If I can get a small apartment fully furnished in the vicinity of Manchester Victoria station that seems like the best way to stay in touch with Ewood & the city.

Cheers.

Emerton, ignore some of the negative misinformation above, Manchester's a great city and you'll have wonderful time.

Hopefully you'll be watching Rovers still in the Prem !

[cn174]

Gosh Deryck,

You paint a dismal picture.

Every city can be a "violent city." Manchester is no different from anywhere else really.

Colin

Just to back this up, I lived in Manchester for four years. One year I lived on Oxford Road, and for the rest in Victoria Park. VP is in the middle of the 'Longsight, Hulme, Moss Side triangle' which is the supposed worst part of Manchester city centre but I can't say that I ever felt particularly worried about walking around.

There are plenty of apartments up and around Victoria so you shouldn't have much of a problem finding anywhere.

[unluckymorton]

Hiya Emerton

You have to be a bit careful, Manchester has earned itself a bit of a reputation and, at the risk of upsetting the mb Mancs, can be a violent city. Some areas in the south are best avoided and Salford is a real no no.

After spending time around Europe and in South America you'll find Manchester a doddle. There are rough and dangerous area's everywhere, but one look at Salford, Stretford, Miles Platting and the likes and you'll know they are not for you! Don't be put off by Deryck's comment on Manchester,

There are a lot of new build apartments going up at the moment in the Piccadilly area, one of the new build projects I'm involved in at the moment range from £500 (1 bed apt) to £750 (penthouse apt) per month.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I thought I was quite positive!

I did work in Collyhurst for 6 years so maybe that's why I suggested being carefull!

[Nate]

Emerton, have you found somewhere there? I may be moving to Manchester next year sometime.

Missus has to head back home to the UK.

[JC4LAB]

As a Blackburner who commutes to Manc and works in Old Trafford (among P..ss taking Reds And City fans!) , I once lived in various flats in South Manchester .I say its a great place to live but not really visit..Basically its all here but you need spending power and transport which drains your cash cos the temptation is the go out all trhe time..The Train from Manc is Cheap Offpeak price but the stops are either darwen or Blackburn which aint that near to the ground.Lots of clubs to join if you are new and socially adrift .Didsbury & Chorlton are good areas to live.Whalley Range(Road signs saying humps 50 yards has more than one meaning here)) and the renovated Hulme aint Bad

[only2garners]

My son shares a really nice two bedroom, two bathroom appartment with a friend for £630/month plus bills. It's located five minutes walk from Oxford Road. Seems like a very good deal for a modern, city centre flat. Better than anywhere I lived when I was in my 20s!!!!

I'm told the better deals are in the city rather than in the outer areas which are heavily sold to the student population

Paul is certainly right that there are lots of very modern flats in and around the city centre and that prices have come down a lot recently because of over supply. But I would also consider places to the south of the city. My son has a house in the terraced streets immediately south of the old Man City ground, now being rebuilt with housing. Rents in these Edwardian terraces are less than in the city for good spacious accommodation. It's quieter than the city but still within walking distance of the curry mile and the Fallowfield bars. You will need a bus or bike to get 10 minutes into town if you don't have a car. Having a car will greatly increase your job possibilities but having one will be a liability in the centre.