Moving to Manchester- looking for help

Hi Everyone-  We will be moving to Manchester (DH job is at the University) in October and I am looking for any help/ suggestions on stuff for my 18 mo and 3 yo.

We lived in Durham when DD was born and I took advantage of mums groups and sure start programs so am thinking that's a place to get started but any other advice would be great.  Parks, free stuff, programs, swimming- anything to get out and meet people.

Also any other suggestions on kid friendly stuff, day care/ school stuff-- anything please!!!
Thanks

Check netmums for details of local stuff.  Contact the local NCT branch and volunteer (you don't need to be a member).

I work there! Or, uh, I work at the "University of Manchester", so if that's the one you meant, I work there!
Definitely check out the public library. Right now the "central" library is being renovated, but they've moved into a gorgeous place, and I know they run play group/baby day type stuff.
There's also the Manchester Aquatics Centre which is about 3 minutes away from the Uni and has kids' classes and open swim times and a kid pool. The University itself also has a variety of resources.
There are a lot of parks. Do you know whereabouts you guys will live at first?

Yes it is the University of Manchester!!! Maybe we can meet up once we move there.  So far (yesterday) we were offered some temp Uni housing at Fallowfield Oak House.  It's a 2 bed flat but we will be looking for something more family friendly as soon as we can. 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I know about NCT and netmums a bit but any "insider" tips are great!!  For example when we were in Durham and local playgroup I was at one of the lady's got a card from her Sure Start for free swimming for the parents too!!  Its was a bit of a secret and we LOVED the place so it worked out great.

Any other tips or ideas for stuff is much appreciated-- thanks again

Sorry I didn't read this until now. I am in Manchester...I have a 5 year old and a17 month old. I am the Babygroup Queen, I go to something child related every day, and the people here are just so amazingly friendly. Where are you going to be living in Manchester? I live in Chorlton, and I find the general South Manchester area to be super child friendly, soooo much to do with kids. Feel free to contact me when you can. I am in New York staying at my parents house until the end of the month, but please use me as a resource if you need to. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thank you Rachee- My husband's visa was approved for Sept 12 but I wasn't going to fly with the kids till the beginning of Oct.  We had DD in Durham before coming back here and I tried to do the same as you- something each day- or at least have the option. Currently we are in Wisconsin and we offered some temp housing at the University of Manchester but will be trying to find a more permanent (dog friendly) place. 

Do you do any of the sure start things?  Any suggestions on school/ nursery stuff?  I would love to talk or meet when you have time too!!!

Thank you Rachee- My husband's visa was approved for Sept 12 but I wasn't going to fly with the kids till the beginning of Oct.  We had DD in Durham before coming back here and I tried to do the same as you- something each day- or at least have the option. Currently we are in Wisconsin and we offered some temp housing at the University of Manchester but will be trying to find a more permanent (dog friendly) place. 

Do you do any of the sure start things?  Any suggestions on school/ nursery stuff?  I would love to talk or meet when you have time too!!!

I know lots of stuff about Sure Start and nurseries, but it does  depend on where you are going to be living.

Thanks once we know more will let you know.  He is definitely going to visit at the end of August and we are waiting on my visa to be completed to see if we can get me a ticket to go along.

BTW any suggestions on neighborhoods or anything?  How about the buses/ transport system? They seem to be a bit more confusing than what we had in Durham.  We are planning on getting a car but if it isn't a must we can get other things done and spend some time looking.

Thanks again for your help
Toni

Buses, especially from Fallowfield into town, will be a doddle. There are SO MANY buses up and down that road because, well, so many students need them! My husband and I wouldn't even need a car, except for the fact that I drive out to Cheshire to ride 5x a week. There are two major train stations that can get you pretty much anywhere and a new tram line that links the centre with some of the more suburby type areas.

Didsbury is very popular with people w/ families in my office who don't want a hassle of a commute. There are loads of young families around me, but I'm not sure the flats that are available are really big enough.

I live in family friendly Chorlton, its not the be all and end all, but there are a large number of primary schools to choose from, there are beautiful parks, and its all very child friendly.

Oh, and we just 3 tram stations...takes you into town in about 15 minutes. Awesome. Forget busses, we've got shiny new beautiful trams.

Didsbury is also family friendly, I don't find Fallowfield to be nearly as family friendly, mainly because of the large student population.  I live in an area called Firswood, and there are a number of houses there for rent, mainly 3 bedroom semi detatched properties, I live a block away from the tram station, within walking distance of about 6 primary schools, two sure start centres, baby/playgroups every day of the week, a small supermarket, lots of local shopping and an amazing vegan fairtrade organic cooperative grocery store. You could be at the University on the 86 bus in 20 minutes, the busses are really frequent. One nice thing about Firswood is that we straddle two councils, so you can use the facilities of both Trafford & Manchester. Anywhoo...I am babbling now, feel free to PM me with any questions etc.

Thank you Rachee.  We were recommended to Didsbury by some people at the Uni.  I have seen a few ads from Chorlton. Firswood sounds fantastic!!  I would love to be that close to all that stuff.  We will definitely check into it and let you know if we have any questions.