There are many factors that determine whether a city is a good place for an overseas person to come and live.
There are some that apply to all, such as personal safety and how welcoming it is; while other factors, such as the cultural scene and the travel opportunities, will appeal to some more than others. Researchers regularly speak to expats living in destinations across the world to determine which hit the right vibe and which do not.
How does Manchester fare?
Really well, according to Expat Explorer, who chat to expats globally. The food scene is one of the city’s biggest pluses. The Curry Mile and its huge Chinatown are just two of the areas that give Manchester a better rating than London when it comes to cuisine. Culturally, it rates higher than the likes of Prague and Barcelona, and internationally it ranks sixth for affordability when overseas residents are quizzed on the cost of living.
How about the UK’s other major cities?
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Those who live in London really appreciate its thriving job market, and it also scores highly for culture and sightseeing. Likewise, Birmingham does very well for career opportunities and is more affordable than London. North of the border, Edinburgh rates highly for culture and things to see, while Glasgow is regarded as a very friendly and hospitable place.
International hotspots
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When it comes to food, you can’t beat Bangkok apparently, although Sao Paolo and Tokyo run it close. Culturally, Berlin came out top, with Buenos Aires in second place and London third. Istanbul and Paris are inseparable when it comes to sightseeing, each sharing top spot, while San Francisco is the only city to beat London when it comes to job opportunities.
According to an Expat Insider survey, the best countries for expats are Taiwan, Mexico and Costa Rica.
The worst country in the world for expats
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This wooden spoon goes to Kuwait, which performed abysmally in leisure options, career prospects, personal happiness, ease of settling in and transport. Perhaps surprisingly, Italy is next on the list with expats saying their financial situation is poor, as finding a job can be hard for those from overseas. Then third from bottom is South Africa, where personal safety is a real issue (only one in four actually feel safe there), as is job security, and many overseas residents find personal income doesn’t cover their expenses.
Wherever you’re planning to move to, there’s lots to consider – not just whether the place will provide you with a good quality of life, but also the legal issues. How easy will it be to get a work visa? Will you be allowed to live there permanently? Are there lots of hidden hoops you’ll need to jump through? Professional advice removes much of the strain from a life-changing move such as this, so make sure you’re careful with your decisions.
Manchester
Etihad Stadium showcases City Hall, the new beating heart of Manchester City match days
Lonnie Bowes
There’s a particular kind of Manchester buzz you only get pitch-side. If you’re a seasoned Cityzen this one’s for you – one of three major new hospitality options for your next game day at the Etihad Stadium.
Tucked in the heart of the new Pep Guardiola Stand, directly behind the goal, we have the brand-new City Hall.
City Hall is built for people who actually want to watch football in comfort, and with a massive 500 capacity hall a stone’s throw from the pitch, it’s a hard one to pass up.
Doors open a full two hours before the match, and that early access turns the day into an occasion rather than a scramble.
There’s time to properly soak up the atmosphere in what is a genuinely lively, buzzing bar, and I have to say potentially one of the best I’ve come across on a match day.
Food and drink are where the local flavour really comes through. The street food menu leans into Manchester’s own identity with a modern twist.
The catering is relaxed and doesn’t take itself too seriously, let’s just say having a chip barm and chicken madras pie on the run-up to a kick-off is my idea of heaven.
Every guest gets an inclusive drink as part of your booking, too. You get to pick from a selected wine, beer or soft drink which you can claim at any point during your visit.
It’s a setup that suits everyone, whether you’re in it for a proper pre-match pint with your mates or meal with your family before a day of making pitch side memories.
The little touches matter too. A matchday programme is a nice, old-school addition in an era where so much matchday content has gone digital.
And crucially, the experience doesn’t end at the final whistle: with an hour’s access after the match, there’s no need to bolt for the exits the second the referee blows for full-time. You can sit and finish your drink, and let the ground empty out around you instead of fighting through it.
Put it all together and City Hall feels like hospitality done with an actual sense of place.
Manchester street food, a proper buzzing bar, and one of the best seats in the house, all wrapped around a schedule that respects the fact that match day is about more than just the 90 minutes.
For anyone looking to upgrade how they watch City this season, it’s well worth a look.
Have a look and make a booking at City Hall at the Etihad Stadium HERE.
A Medieval Faire with birds of prey and live demonstrations is coming to Manchester’s oldest building
Daisy Jackson
Manchester is going back to the Middle Ages this month as the city’s Medieval Faire returns to Chetham’s Library for a day of history, live entertainment, and family fun.
The free event is taking place on Saturday 26 September, with the grounds of the historic building transformed into a medieval celebration from 11am to 4pm.
And with Chetham’s medieval buildings dating all the way back to 1421, there probably aren’t many more fitting places in Manchester to spend the day pretending you’ve stepped back several centuries.
Visitors can expect plenty going on throughout the day, including walking tours of Manchester’s Medieval Quarter, birds of prey, specialist stalls, and live demonstrations showing what life was like during the medieval era.
There’ll also be historical re-enactors from Historia Normannis, bringing the sights, sounds and characters of the Middle Ages to life.
The event is being staged in partnership with the University of Manchester and Manchester Cathedral, with organisers hoping to get people of all ages interested in the city’s often-overlooked medieval history.
Julianne Simpson, Librarian at Chetham’s Library, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Medieval Faire back to Chetham’s.
The Manchester Medieval Faire returns this month
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to discover Manchester’s medieval heritage through hands-on experiences, live performances, and historical demonstrations.
“Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking for a fun family day out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Best of all, entry is completely free and you don’t need to book.
If you fancy going a bit deeper into Manchester’s history while you’re there, guided tours of Chetham’s Library will also be available to book on the day for £8.50 per person.
The tours offer visitors the chance to explore one of the UK’s most significant historic libraries and discover more about its collections, characters and stories.
So, if your weekend plans involve less brunch and more medieval re-enactments, birds of prey and wandering around one of Manchester’s oldest buildings, this one’s worth putting in the diary.
The Manc -
30th January 2021 
