Manchester, a metropolitan, city, and unitary authority in Greater Manchester, England, is also an international hub for transportation, commerce, finance, industry, and culture.
With a rich history intertwined with the Industrial Revolution, Manchester boasts convenient transportation canals, abundant water and coal supplies, and a culture of enterprise and innovation, which gave birth to the textile industry and paved the way for the Industrial Revolution.
The globally renowned city lifestyle magazine "Time Out" named Manchester the third most livable city globally in 2021, just behind Amsterdam and San Francisco. The ranking considered Manchester's environmental policies, support for social activities, and community awareness. They believe Manchester's orderly pace of life and work-life balance attitude imbue the city with a relaxed vibe.
As an international metropolis, Manchester offers a plethora of amenities and urban infrastructure, yet its cost of living is nearly 40% lower than London's. Moreover, Manchester hosts the largest number of students in Europe and is one of the most international cities on the continent. According to 2021 statistics, 43% of Manchester graduates choose to stay and develop in the city, making its graduate retention rate the second highest in the UK, only after Birmingham.
Manchester is home to five internationally renowned institutions of higher learning: the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Salford, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the University of Bolton, providing a continuous stream of creativity to the local community.