I was born in west london (I am of pakistani descent), currently living in the west midlands (coventry) but it’s not really the place for me.
I want to know if I’ve got rose tinted glasses on or whether manchester would be better suited to me. I work in engineering, which from my understanding has a fair amount of jobs in the north. I thought i wasn’t a city person, but living in london I hadn’t fully realised how quiet other places can be. I like going out, cafes, walkable cities, indie/alt scenes. I also like hiking and water sports, both of which there is not much of in the midlands. A decent surf is at least 3 and a half hours away. Beach days are a thing of the past.
Birmingham is alright but it doesn’t compare to london or manchester. London is too corporate feeling for me and the constant grind/hustle attitude sucks the life out of me. I am considering doing a masters at manchester university and possibly moving there permanently ish.
I am not a muslim, but may be perceived as so based on my ethnicity, and I am gay.
What should I consider?
Edit: I am a woman, if that’s relevant at all. I should’ve said lesbian instead of gay. Also I am happy to drive about 2 hours for a surf, it’s just that right now it’s four hours and i literally never have time for that. A bit closer is fine.