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Posted June 23, 2013

Student City Guide: Manchester

Moving out of home and settling into a new location can be an extremely nerve wracking time, especially when moving to a large and bustling city like Manchester. The likelihood is that you will not know anyone before you arrive, and a little inside information will be essential to making your first few months a whole lot easier, so here is an insight into what you can expect as a student from Manchester.

Transport

Manchester is a great place to be if you prefer to ditch the car and hop on the public transport as it has a great city-wide network of buses, trams, and trains. The city is reported to have one of the busiest bus routes in Europe, and this means that you can go anywhere you want, at pretty much any time of day. The prices are not always the cheapest, but this is by far the most convenient way to get around. Oxford Road is one of the busiest city bus hubs for students as it connects many of the main housing districts with the universities and the main town centre. If you are planning on using the bus on a regular basis then a yearly bus pass is definitely the best way to go.
 

If you prefer to get out and about by bicycle you will be glad to know that there are some cycle lanes that connect the main student areas of Fallowfield / Withington with the main city centre and universities. It is worth noting that Manchester is renowned for having a high bicycle theft rate, and the roads can be a little precarious at times, so take care and be sure to buy a good lock for your bike.
 

Entertainment

Looking for somewhere to relax and unwind after your studies? Manchester has plenty of great places to eat out, shop and have some fun including:

Northern Quarter – Located just off Piccadilly Gardens this is a really unique and quirky shopping area that is full of unusual shops selling everything from fancy dress to vintage clothing. There are also lots of trendy bars and night spots here where the atmosphere is chilled and there is usually some form of live music going on.
 

MEN Arena – If you are looking for a large music event then look no further than the MEN Arena. It is the biggest and most popular arena in the city for major bands and the atmosphere is superb. Tickets are cheaper for events if you buy them in advance online. Other large gig venues include the Apollo and the Manchester Academy

The Printworks – if you are looking for an easy going night to spend with friends or somewhere to go if you're on a date, The Printworks could be just the place. Situated in the city centre, it hosts loads of bars, restaurants, entertainment spots, a cinema and bowling as well.
 

Health and Fitness

If you want to keep in shape whilst you study, Manchester has plenty of fitness centres and gyms that offer student discounts. Armitage and Sugden Sports Centres and Fitness First both offer student rates, where you can get a monthly gym membership from just £20, plus they even give you a free induction day! The Aquatics Centre is the best place to go if you want to have a good swim, as the Olympic-sized pool is perfectly equipped if you fancy yourself as a serious swimmer. The pool was used for the commonwealth games, and it welcomes students here with large discounted rates.
 

If you like to get out and about for a run or a cycle in the city, there are some nice parks, especially in the south of the city near the main universities. Platt Field Park and Whitworth Park are both very popular places for fitness enthusiasts, and they are also perfect locations to meet up with friends and relax with a picnic when the weather is good.
 

Remember that to be successful in your studies it is important to take some quality time out so you can come back to the books refreshed!
 

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