Living & Working in Manchester and the Surroundings

MANCHESTER AND SURROUNDINGS

MANCHESTER

Manchester is a vibrant city in the North of the United Kingdom and the largest city in the North West of England. It is renowned for its rich industrial history, music scene, culture, and sporting heritage, making it an extremely exciting city in which to live and work.

justteachers has operated out of Manchester for almost 20 years now and has forged excellent relationships both with city centre schools and also schools in more suburban and rural locations. With around 1,500 active client contacts throughout Manchester, in Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Specialist SEND and SEMH Settings, we feel sure we can support you with embarking upon your UK career. Our Northern team also have a real affinity to their homeland and neighbours; 'there's something really homely about Mancunians, their laid back style and sense of humour.'

There is a large Aussie and Kiwi community, across Manchester, offering a familiar and supportive network far from home. Alongside justteachers, you will find lots of support to help you find suitable accommodation- whether it be on a temporary basis, short-term or longer rental contract, there are lots of options available for you.

COSTOFLIVING

Manchester generally has a much lower cost of living compared to the South (London, for example). However, keep in mind that the cost of living can vary based on individual preferences, lifestyle choices, and housing options. Here are some key aspects where the two cities typically differ:

HOUSING

The cost of rent and property prices in London is significantly higher than in Manchester. In London, you would generally expect to pay much more for accommodation, whether you ' re renting or buying

TRANSPORT

Transportation costs can also be higher in London, as it has an extensive public transport network with higher fares compared to Manchester

FOODANDDINING

Eating out and grocery shopping tends to be more expensive in London due to its higher demand and cost of living.

ENTERTAINMENT& LEISURE

London offers a wider range of entertainment and leisure options, but they can also come with higher price tags

HEALTHCARE

While both cities have access to the National Health Service (NHS), some private healthcare services in London may be more expensive

In Manchester, you could find a standard portion of fish and chips for around £5 to £8 at most fish and chip shops or restaurants. In London, the same portion of fish and chips could cost anywhere from £8 to £15, depending on the location and the type of establishment.

TIPSFORSETTLINGIN, INMANCHESTER!

ONLINEFORUMS&SOCIALMEDIAGROUPS

Look for expat-focused forums and social media groups dedicated to Manchester Websites like InterNations, Expat.com and Facebook groups for expats in Manchester can be great places to connect with others who have shared experiences.

Keep an eye out for expat meetups and events in Manchester These events are often organised by expat groups or communities and provide an excellent opportunity to make new friends and network Networking can help you professionally and socially

WEATHERANDWARDROBE

Our consultants are extremely knowledgeable, but for anyone to give a guide around the UK weather is a tall order! Be prepared for the UK’s unpredictable weather- invest in a good raincoat and a variety of clothing for different seasons The North tends to experience less extreme warm weather than the South, but most often than not, we rarely see more than a few weeks sunshine across the Summer months!

FINDINGSUITABLEACCOMODATION

Make sure to research local neighbourhoods and find accommodation close to your workplace or within easy access to public transport Your dedicated jt Recruiter will be a fountain of local knowledge, and can provide you with recommendations for letting agents/ online rental forums You may also want to consider temporary options until you become familiar with the area

LEARNTHEPUBLICTRANSPORTATIONSYSTEM

The UK has an extensive public transportation network Learn how to use buses, trains, and particularly trams in Manchester city centre

GETTOGRIPSWITHNORTHERNHUMOURANDETIQUETTE!

Mancunians and Northerners can often be broadly characterised by the following distinct features and traits:

Quick-witted and love of banter, enjoying often sarcastic exchanges and clever comebacks! Mancunians can also be quite dry and deadpan. Mancunians have a strong tradition of self-deprecating humour- they don’t take themselves too seriously and are quick to make fun of their own quirks

Manchester has a strong sense of community and this is reflected in its humour Jokes often revolve around shared experiences and a sense of togetherness.

Familiarize yourself with the UK's healthcare system (NHS) Register with a local GP (General Practitioner) to access healthcare services

Take a look at the humour of: Peter Kay, Victoria Wood and Jason Manford- all hailing from Manchester!

You'll need a NIN for taxation and social security purposes You can apply for it once you arrive in the UK

NEARBYPLACES TOVISIT

Manchester is pretty much 90 minutes from everything you would need and more! The Lake District, Peak District, Coastline, Yorkshire Dales and Pennines are all reachable by car or public transport, and all offer a delight to the eyes. Even closer to home within Greater Manchester are amazing walks, country pubs, outdoor life, lakes, rivers and fresh air!

LIVERPOOL LEEDS

Liverpool is easily accessible by train or car and is known for its maritime history, cultural heritage, and, of course, being the birthplace of The Beatles.

LAKEDISTRICT&PEAKDISTRICT

You can also visit the beautiful Lake District National Park, famous for its stunning landscapes, lakes, and outdoor activities and the Peak District where you can find beautiful rolling hills, hiking trails, and charming villages.

BLACKPOOL

You would be doing yourself a dis-service if you didn't visit the Blackpool Illuminations and seaside theme park It is an acquired taste, some people love it, whilst others visit once in a lifetime!

Leeds is about 40 miles east of Manchester, and is another major city in the region, known for its shopping, nightlife, and cultural scene.

CHESTER

Chester: Located around 35 miles (56 km) to the southwest of Manchester, Chester is known for its well-preserved Roman walls, historical buildings, and shopping opportunities

YORK

York is a beautiful city- not one to be missed! It is about 70 miles (113 km) northeast of Manchester and a historic city with a medieval feel, featuring attractions like York Minster, the Shambles, and the Jorvik Viking Centre

THINGSTODO

A n d f r i e n d l y p e o p l e t o m e e t !

Manchester is the beating heart of excitement and innovation! Bursting with a vibrant cultural scene, world-class music, and a rich industrial heritage, our captivating city offers an electrifying blend of past and present. It is home to legendary music venues that once hosted iconic bands like Oasis and The Smiths. We also are fortunate enough to have a thriving arts and theatre scene along with nightlife and diverse culinary delights - we promise you will have unforgettable experiences in the North West.

SHOPPING

From boutique independent shops to major out of town shopping centres - visit well known outlets such as the Trafford Centre or Cheshire Oaks

ENTERTAINMENT

Home to 11 theatres and the Manchester International Festival

SPORTS

Football is huge in Manchester- Both Manchester clubs are the only ones to have won the treble! Cricket and Rugby also features heavily in the NW sporting calendar

NIGHTLIFE

Vibrant night life and music sceneVisit the Northern Quarter, Spinningfields, Deansgate, Castlefield, Ancoats & more

HISTORY

The Heart of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester has an incredible history for you to explore Visit stunning buildings which were once home to the Suffragettes

From the famous football stadiums to cutting-edge science and technology centres, our city embraces creativity and progress. With warm, friendly locals, a diverse community of overseas professionals and students and an abundance of events and festivals year-round, there will be plenty of opportunities to socialise and build friendships. What's more, it's all so compact that most things are reachable on foot or by public transport!

CELEBRATIONOF DIVERSITY

Manchester boasts the largest Pride celebrations outside of London and Brighton and our popular Canal Street is an extremely popular hotspot for the LGBTQ community

MUSIC

Music runs through our bloodwith the Smiths, Oasis, Joy Division, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Take That & Harry Styles all calling it home

GATEWAYTOEUROPE

If you fancy a last-minute long weekend cultural break, our major Manchester & Liverpool airports come in very handy!

USEFULJT CONTACTS

Once you have taken the plunge and decided upon your preferred location to live and work in the UK, your Teach In consultant will contact justteachers to brief us fully on your experience and share your CV, interview video and supporting information, in order for us to familiarise ourselves with your background. You will be assigned a designated Overseas Recruitment Consultant as a regular point of contact, who will be in touch promptly and will remain in touch throughout the duration of your job search, through to acceptance, start date and beyond. They will advise you about recommended shortlisted schools in the area and will work hard and exclusively on your behalf to provide you with as many opportunities for interviews as possible.