Is Manchester really as dangerous as people say it is (worried American uni student)?

Manchester does have the highest crime rate in the UK outside of London - but by comparison to American cities it's still low

you can hear horror stories about just about anywhere in the world ... you sound a sensible sort of person and I doubt that you would have many (if any) problems in Manchester ... like any other large city you have to learn to be street-wise but Manchester is not an especially dangerous city, in fact on a scale of dangerous places to live in the world I doubt it would even figure ... Manchester is not only interesting in itself but it also has great transport links to many areas around (e.g. Lake District, north Wales, Liverpool, Peak District) so you could get out and about and explore easily ... Manchester's origins are mainly as an industrial and commercial city but that most certainly doesn't mean it has no culture

Manchester is a great place and it has everything you are looking for , like any other major city it has a degree of danger but if you use a bit of common sense then you will be just fine . Don`t believe everything that people tell you or you would never go anywhere , i think you have also chosen the right university as well by the way , Manchester is a great uni and you will have a great time , relax , don`t worry and enjoy your stay.

It's not that bad for adults, for teenagers it's very bad. A adult women shouldnt have any problems. Choose to stay in student or quiet areas, do not live in Moss Side, Hulme, Longsight, Wythenshawe, Cheetham Hill or Salford... these are rough areas. Chorlton is a nice quiet area. Your gonna find bad people everywhere in the world, Manchester is no different... but there are ways to stay out of trouble... im an 18 year old boy who has never been in a fight out off school and never been jumped or attacked by anyone..

I attended university in Manchester for three years and loved it there! I don't think it is any worse than any other city of comparable size. I think it is safer than London, where I live now.

A lot of the rough areas are places you wouldn't consider going anyway.. Because of the big student presence you'll feel safer in the evening but I wouldn't recommend walking around alone late at night - 2am onwards. Which can be said of most cities in the world. I'd choose purpose built student flat blocks near the centre over house-shares in places like Fallowfield which tend to be favourite targets of local thieves. Edinburgh's a nice city and not far from Glasgow which has a lot more happening in terms of live music and cooler small bars. I wouldn't dismiss it so quickly. That said, I'd choose Manchester every time. Incredible live music scene, amazing new venues, cool cafes and probably twice as many students to cater for. Plus an hour from Liverpool to the west and leeds to the east.

You really do not need to worry at all about living in Manchester, if anything, you should be excited! Manchester is not rough at all and as long as you are sensible, you'll be fine, just like anywhere else in the world. Manchester is a diverse, multicultural and cosmopolitan city with an interesting combination of old and modern architecture - both truly fascinating. The city also is home to the tallest residential building in the UK, called the Beetham Tower. The city boasts a fantastic shopping centre, known as the Arndale Centre, with a large variety of shops, restaurants and coffee shops. Surrounding this zone is the Manchester Wheel and the Triangle Shopping Centre, as well as designer shops such as Zara, Selfridges, Radley and Harvey Nichols. There is also an M&S next to Selfridges. Elsewhere is a new development away from town, near Deansgate, called Spinningfields which also has some very trendy restaurants and shops. Opposite Next is the Printworks which has a range of bars and clubs, such as the Hard Rock Cafe and Tiger Tiger, and an Odeon cinema too. This is an area which comes alive at night and is great for partying. As for daytime, if you wish to just chill out after a stressful day, you can hang out outside Urbis or in Picadilly Gardens, two areas of the city which are great to unwind in and relax. Finally, there are plenty of transport options in the city to help you keep moving. Most buses run through the city every 10 minutes or less and prices vary depending on whether you use First or Stagecoach. A 'daysaver' ticket on First buses will cost you £4.00 a day, whereas Stagecoach 'day riders' are £3.50. Shuttlebuses are a good option if you are strapped for cash. These buses are free to ride on and there are three lines, the orange line, green line and the purple line, all running every 10 minutes or less too. The metrolink has recently undergone vast improvements with new lines and new trams and is another method of transport throughout the city, but again, prices vary for each location. There are also numerous taxi services available too, but can be pricey. Here are some links and images of the city centre to give you a flavour of Manchester: Beetham Tower: http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/132BeethamTowerManchester_pic2.jpg The Printworks: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Printworks,_Manchester.jpg Picadilly Gardens: http://www.nmaffei.com/Fulbright/images/XIMG_0339.jpg Urbis: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cyY_4eMbwQ8/SwVA9Ri0AMI/AAAAAAAAAAc/YmxjzySNrKI/s1600/urbis-manchester-illum.jpg Arndale Shopping Centre: http://www.skirebel.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/arndale_shopping_centre_manchester.jpg Metrolink: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7681357@N02/4225443323/sizes/o/ Manchester Wheel: http://www.my-hospitality.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/manchester-wheel.jpg Spinningfields: http://www.medlockapartments.com/admin/GalleryUpload/10088-282-Main.jpg Harvey Nichols: http://www.buildings.mottmac.com/scaled/5a4b26e4.jpeg Triangle Shopping Centre: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/223084554_1e9bf02458.jpg For more information about Manchester, visit: http://www.visitmanchester.com

i live near there and also went to university there so ive mixed with locals and students, you do get the odd local who doesnt like students but most people are not like that, theres so many students there anyway its unlikely youll stand out, anywhere around the student areas or anywhere in the city centre and youll be fine, there are a few burglaries that go on but like someone else said these happen in houses rather than student accomodation, it isnt as peaceful as some places but its more fun

ye