Manchester Crowned UK’s Most Desirable Place to Live, Edging Out London in National Survey
A major new study reveals a seismic shift in where Britons dream of calling home. Manchester, the thriving Northern powerhouse, has been crowned the ‘most desirable place to live in the UK’, narrowly surpassing the capital in a landmark survey of 10,000 residents.
Conducted by Mindshare UK, the research asked participants which UK city they would choose if relocating from their current home. Manchester emerged as the clear favourite for 11.9% of Brits, pipping London (11.7%) to the top spot by a mere 0.2%. This dethroning marks a significant moment; historically, London has been the undisputed magnet for career-driven relocation.
The survey highlights Manchester’s remarkable ascent over the past quarter-century, positioning it firmly as London’s key rival for national appeal. Both cities dominated preferences, leaving other contenders trailing significantly.
Top 5 Most Desirable UK Cities:
Manchester (11.9%)
London (11.7%)
Edinburgh (7.6%)
York (7.4%)
Liverpool (5.7%)
The survey found London and Manchester were the most popular places to live (Image: Mindshare UK)
The findings underscore Manchester’s profound national appeal. Perhaps most startling for Londoners is the revelation that nearly half of respondents in the North West and Cumbria believe Manchester should replace London as the UK’s capital. Even Londoners themselves, when asked where they’d relocate, chose Manchester as their top alternative destination (19%).
This Northern allure is particularly strong among younger generations. Roughly 22% of Gen Z and 21% of Millennials nationwide advocate for Manchester becoming the new capital, signalling a potential long-term shift in perceptions. As one survey participant noted, “Everybody’s moving back to Manchester. The youngsters love it.”
“Manchester has strategically positioned itself across the UK as a compelling and popular alternative to London as a capital,” commented Julia Ayling, Head of Research at Mindshare UK, who spearheaded the report.
This survey paints a clear picture: Manchester is not just competing with London, it’s captivating the nation’s imagination as the UK’s premier destination for living, opportunity, and future aspirations. The race for desirability has a thrilling new leader.
Source : MyLoondon
