i need to be convinced london is great

The robust job market and cultural opportunities alone would be worth it.

Unfortunately, London just like the rest of the UK is suffering economically and the job market is anything but robust.

True... But it is lightyears better than it was in Worthing, England! LOL!

there seems to be loads more job opportunities in london for what my fiance wants to do. he does film editing and tv stuff. that's the reason he wants to move down. he's already had an interview, so we're just crossing our fingers now.

I think the notion that if you're a social and active person, you should be in London is a bit off, to be honest. I'm a social and active person and I go out and do things nearly every night of the week and I am definitely not in London! If you like doing things, you'll find those things no matter where you live. And, actually, living in a smaller place might mean you can get more involved in things and wind up having an even busier time of it! So don't let that part of it be what drives your decision. If you like London, you like London - but it's definitely not the only interesting place to live.

Have you thought about moving to Manchester, the BBC has moved up here recently (as you probably know) and there is a huge media presence with Granada being here also. Manchester is a really vibrant city with lots of cultural opportunities and imo, its a place where people are really friendly and super easy to socialise with. I found it very very easy to make good friends here, and its cheaper than London.

I would second racheee's suggestion to at least look at Manchester. (We are two of the most vocal members of the "Manchester is awesome" fan club!).  There is LOADS to do up here, and while it may not be quite as happening for London w/ regards to some areas (I tend to go down for publishing events, for example)-there is absolutely LOADS to do up here in terms of museums, nightlife, social activities, sports and the like. It is an awesome and friendly place to live!

In terms of tv and the media, well, we have a number of studios (and now the BBC) and loads of independent stuff going on. If he wants to get experience in a maybe less creative side of that field, he should definitely check out the University of Manchester's website (and MMU!), as they sometimes have film/AV type stuff going, and it would at least pay the bills.

OK, I live in London, and I love it here, and I work in that field, or more... WITH people in that field... there IS work. Some work. People in that field ARE working.

That said, I totally LOVE Manchester.

Manchester is freakin' FANTASTIC.

It is much cheaper, and the people in the north have a reputation of being much friendlier, in general. (Although I generally find most people I deal with in London to be friendly enough. But i am from Manhattan, so I may have a different idea of what 'friendly enough' is - LOL!)

ANYWAY... I love Manchester, and I would move there in a New York minute! Even tho I am perfectly happy in London!

unfortunately, i've only been to the manchester airport. i've gotten a bad first impression because i've never been in manchester when it hasn't been raining. every time, without fail. i think tom has been applying anywhere and everywhere. he's been doing some temp work in leeds, which he really likes. too bad it isn't permanent. i'd like to end up in leeds in the long run.

unfortunately, i've only been to the manchester airport. i've gotten a bad first impression because i've never been in manchester when it hasn't been raining. every time, without fail. i think tom has been applying anywhere and everywhere. he's been doing some temp work in leeds, which he really likes. too bad it isn't permanent. i'd like to end up in leeds in the long run.

Judging Manchester based on the airport is judging London based on Heathrow..

Manchester is a HUUUGE city as not in population size, but in the fact how far is sprawls out.  (Think Atlanta)

Jennie and Racheeeee,

I love how you guys represent for Manchester.  I'm hoping to live in Manchester next year when I move.  However if initially I have to make a stop with family in Essex until I get myself situated I will, but Manchester is always on my mind.

Quick question?  Does Manchester have Whole Foods?  I notice a lot of Whole Foods stores popping up in London but not sure if Manchester has any.  Thanks

Quick question?  Does Manchester have Whole Foods?  I notice a lot of Whole Foods stores popping up in London but not sure if Manchester has any.  Thanks

Nope, not so far.

Quick question?  Does Manchester have Whole Foods?  I notice a lot of Whole Foods stores popping up in London but not sure if Manchester has any.  Thanks

Nope, not so far.

Haha. No, not yet, but it is our favourite rumour! I had dinner with one of head honchos of a major property developer (his job is to, basically, get major industries to set up regional hubs in Manchester), and he told me that Whole Foods was in the pipeline.  That was last year though, and we've not heard a peep yet. What I would actually kill for is a Trader Joe's.

Boris Johnson's take on London v NYC:

http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2012/07/25/our-citys-better-than-your-city/