Where in the UK is best for Northern creatives?

Though creative brain drain has seen Northern graduates move South for years, Manchester now boasts more jobs per person than the UK’s capital – but is it affordable to live there?

Already regarded as the powerhouse of the North thanks to its rich (literally) industrial history and iconic music scene, Manchester’s booming economy, exciting nightlife, and media links have recently put it on the map as a more manageable London.

With its diverse population, fun – sometimes questionable – fashion sense, and more Prets than you can shake a stick at, this is great news for those who can’t bear the sound of the underground (the transport system, not the beat of the drum going ‘round and ‘round) or hearing the word ‘rah’ every five minutes.

Yet despite these appealing qualities, to compete with the capital Manchester has also appropriated London’s notoriously expensive cost of living; rarely charging less than six quid for a pint, financing the construction of ugly, towering skyscrapers, and continually upping rent prices.

This pivot is evidenced by a 2023 study, which revealed that Manchester renters are actually paying a higher percentage of their salary (80%) than the average London renter (60%) to cover expenses.

I’m beginning to realise that Manchester has all the things I like about London and fewer of the things i don’t, and most things are a price that feels reasonable? wow I’m glad I moved here

— caroline (@hatwell) July 28, 2018

In other words, even if young people do find a job in Manchester, it’s likely they’ll end up shelling out more of their salary as a result.

Pair this with the fact that a mere 13% of the country’s creative opportunities can be found up North (compared to 62% in London) and it’s no wonder that so many young people – especially those looking to enter into creative industries – have been forced to move South.

For Northern students and the growing cohort of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds now going to university who are keen to pursue a creative career, this means abandoning their regional roots in favour of chasing their dreams.

This isn’t so much of a problem for students from the South-East (57% of which are more likely to go to university) who can move back down and back in with their parents after graduating to save money and be close to the capital.