Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

My eldest daughter (19 yrs) is off to Manchester Metropolitan University in Sept. for her degree. We do not know the area at all. Any advise for her from past graduates or residents - where to go...where NOT to go...accomodation...advise for freshers at Uni, etc would be very welcome.
Thxs...Neil

tiggers

OK here's my 2 cents worth.

I have lived in or around Manchester for over 20 years having originally landed here to go to university myself.

The first thing to say is that it is a truly great city (and that coming from a soft Southerner is a compliemnt indeed) and although it gets some bad press much of this is not deserved.

Having said that the biggest concern for your daughter would I think be accomodation. I don't know how the Met. uni is for halls of residence, but if she can get in one of them I would encourage her to go for it for the first year at least i.e. until she gets to know Manchester a little bit. The best halls of residence are the self catering ones as these offer the best of both worlds - secure housing with real independence.

If halls of residence aren't an option then I would advise that the following areas be avoided - Moss Side, Hulmes, most of Salford. All these areas have come up in the world tremenbedously in the last few years, but I still wouldn't like to see a 19 yo young lady wandering around them on her own after dark.

Reasonable areas on the South side of the city (as that is where the uni's are) include Victoria Park, Fallowfield, Withington, Didsbury (although this is getting soemwhat expensive now) and Chorlton.

The city centre itself is quite small, but contains and abundance of great bars, restaurants and shops as well as museums, art galleries, libraries and other attractions. It is in my experience the closest thing we have to a European city in terms of culture and ambience - as far as I am concerned it makes London feel very second rate, but that's only my opinion.

I hope comes of this has helped and please don't believe everything bad you here in the press about Manchester - remember the press is based on Fleet Street and that's in London;-)

Hope some of this helps - any other questions just fire away.

Regards,

tiggers.

ChrisB

No local but was up that way recently for work. I did notice some very impressive new student halls that had en-suite bathrooms (student hall or hotel??? ).

They were the Victoria Hall II blocks on this page.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

When I went to MMU (1991-1994) I was in one of the halls of residence during my first year. Broomhurst (if it's still there) is opposite a small campus in Didsbury. It gives interaction with other freshers, as well as having some final year students there to offer advice. It's a catered hall, so although it's more expensive you don't need to worry about your child going hungry!!! It also has the advantage of having a car park (if that is an issue)

I guess hall location is best chosen on what course she is doing. I was based at the John Dalton building, which is opposite the BBC TV centre so it meant a bus ride everyday to get there.

It's also opposite the main campus with the bars, etc.

I spent my second year in Fallowfield, which was ok. Again large student population and many local bars near by.

My final year was spent in Rusholme, which I wouldn't recommend. Our house was a couple of roads down from Maine Road, so it meant we lost our car parking space every Saturday! Not as bad as moving in and finding a 'used' metal baseball bat behind the sofa!!!

The only scary moment was walking home on afternoon and seeing a street two roads down, coned off and covered in the Police tape, with lots of TV cameras, Police, police cars, etc around! They were filming an episode of Cracker!!!

Didsbury, Withington and Fallowfield seem to be the most popular areas to live. The student houses seem to get more expensive the further away from the city you live!

Personally I would avoid Moss Side, some parts of Rusholme and I'm not a fan of Whally Range (but only because that's where my car was taken and burnt out!)

If you have any specific questions about it, please feel free to drop me a mail. I appreciate the area may have changed, but I can check with my sister who lives in Salford.

Cheers
Andy

ChrisB

Extra note - would agree with others that halls are the best place as a fresher. Loads of other people moving away from home for maybe the first time, looking for new friends and things to do.

Freshers week in halls is one mad time - don't be timid, get out with everyone and enjoy

There's usually a freshers bazaar run by the Students Union. All the sports clubs and societies have stalls to get people to sign up (well, they did back in my day! ) I signed up to play American Football and never looked back. Guys I got to know through that become my house mates during my 2nd year.

Time of your life to be had at Uni...

Chris.

rik1471

Give me her number and i'll show her a good time in Manchester

p.s. is she fit?

Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

Thank you for your offer of help Rik.
Yes she is very "fit" and therefore may not be suitable for you but I am willing to give you an opportunity.

To assess your suitability pls. forward to me your marital status, present income, income prospects over the next year and 5 years, accomodation (5, 6 or more bedrooms?), overseas saving accounts, share portfolio, islands owned and location, cars owned and paid for. Any other transport modes?(yachts, Lear jets, etc.) That should quickly give me an idea or your suitability.

You can't be too careful these days as a father!!

P1Fanatic

Lol @ Molbyman - quality retort!

rik1471

Finally, someone with a sense of humour!!

ScoobyWon't

Just wondering how many of you lot went to university and can't spell Accommodation properly

ChrisB

I couldn't spell 'the' properly due to the hangovers.

Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

I was being serious.
The next serious of questions were related to your education (private or comprehensive), graduation university (Harvard, Princeton), what car you could let her use whilst at Uni, what expenses you expected to provide during her 3 years??
Bl**dy hell...my list could go on for everrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Maybe best let her decide on some issues!!!

ScoobyWon't

I'm relieved she's not coming to the University of Nottingham or Nottingham Trent University after reading your wish list

Has anyone sent you any suitability reports yet?

Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

Funny you should say that...she did go to Nottingham, Derby, Birmingham and Loughborough for a look/see but really wanted to go to Man.Met. I'm v.happy for her as she has worked v.hard for her place.

Ummmm...no interested candidates yet but early days. I can wait!!

XT

I would post all my qualifications, but after i finished typing, i realised that i'm way too qualified

XT

You've made this big list for your daughter and yet you didn't post a single pic of her.

Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

I know what she looks like!

XT

Can we please have a pic of your daughter because WE don't know how fit she is ??

Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

I "COULD" put up a picture but at the risk of having this board closed down by her agency...you know...the Cath Zeta Jones thing.
Cannot get permission as away modelling swimsuits in the Seyshelles at this present time.

XT

still not convinced....


Anyway, i'm not going to pursuit this matter anymore, there are loads of beautiful and smart women out there that want the same or less things from a man and have more to offer than just their pretty face.

johnfelstead

If she wants to pop around the corner once here, i will gladly take her for a spin in my scoob, pretty or ugly i dont care, mancunians are freindly to one and all.

Manchester is a brilliant City, she will enjoy her time here.

Blackscooby

No way ! I stopped at Broomhurst in 1992 ! And as of last week is was still standing despite our valient attempts to burn it down making toast in the wee hours pissed as hell.

Even back then I had 4*4... admittedly in a Fiat Panda Sisley



[Edited by Blackscooby - 5/28/2003 9:30:39 PM]

dazc2

XT!! Behave!

XT

daz, it had to be done

Blackscooby

Just blown my chances saying that I used to own a Fiat Panda ~ Duh.
Humble beginnings n' all that....

Now where did Jeeves get to, he only went to polish the Cessna Citation....

Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

Many thxs. for your comments....Rach certainly has learnt a little more about Manchester and had a laugh at the same time....Cheers

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

I had my Golf 1.3 stolen in Manchester at the beginning of my second year.

I had to see the rest of student life in a Volvo 340, but at least it didn't get a second look!!!

My friends mk2 Escort in ORANGE was stolen 3 times!!! But at least he always found it 200 yards from where he left it as they never found the fuel cut off switch he made!

Molbyman

iTrader: (2)

Rach is not taking her motor to Uni so one less thing for me to have to worry about. She will be in one of the halls of residence for the first yr. at least and is making arrangements later this month.
BTW, while her car is at home (not selling unless desperate for the money) how often do you think I should take it out to keep the engine, brakes, etc. in good condition. Once a month for a few hours enough?
Neil

johnfelstead

every two weeks, a month is too long.

If she needs a Taxi short notice, you know who to call.

Hope she has fun.

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

Was at Manchester Uni - graduated in 96. The Uni and halls of residence basically sit along Oxford Road which runs North South (from the centre of town down to Didsbury).

Nightlife is great - although more of a bar culture now than the club culture of the old days. But I still think places like Sanky Soap are still open. But gone is the Hacienda.

Most people go to halls in the 1st year - and this is where you meet you friends for life. Make sure she goes to one of the larger ones so she gets a decent choice of who these people will be

I stayed at Owens Park in Fallowfield (Floor 15, room 7 I think ?) - its the largest hall - about 1000 people I think. The best thing about it is the common rooms for each house (a house consists of two floors (one girls, one boys) - about 40 people). My best friends were the people I lived with rather than those on my course (did Computer Science so that was understandable). We used to go out all 40 of us at the same time and basically fill a pub in one go

Food at Owens Park is crap - but the hall next door (Oak House) is self catering and also huge.

Not been back to Owens Park but think it got refurbished (it needed it) for the Commonwealth games as it was the Atheletes village at the time.

Student "home" area is predominately Fallowfield and south. Most of the well off students lived in Didsbury (but that's quite far out). Suffice to say I lived in Fallowfield when we got a house. - everyone in Fallowfield is a student - almost zero local populace!

Go to Didsbury for a quiet night with friends and lots of drinking. There is a pub crawl called the Didsbury Dozen - actually 13 pubs - but doesn't matter as you'll not likely reach the thirteenth anyway Go to town for a big night out.

Lots to do in Manchester

- Royal Exchange theatre is very cool (not been since it got bombed and renovated though)
- Lots of cool pubs. The Sunday pubs in Fallowfield serving Mum's roast are a great way to escape revision on a Sunday afternoon
- Bunch of new bars have opened up along the canal (which is being developed). Friday night was always considered the weekend night for students and Saturdays was for the locals
- Big multiplex cinema within (long) walking distance of Fallowfield

There are a few places to avoid as a student - like Moss Side. But generally its a matter of being sensible. Like making sure "fit" daughters don't go waling through the dodgy areas by themselves whilst chatting to mates on mobile phones.

Basically - I would recommend the place. It's a great place for students. 3 Uni's in on place (Owens, Poly and UMIST) means its got everything to cater for the number of students that entails.