Friendly, affordable and full of opportunity for healthcare workers

Manchester has been a wonderful first home in the UK. People are chatty and warm, and I have never felt as anonymous as friends say they feel in London. Rents are much lower than the south: I pay 875 pounds for a one bedroom flat in Salford. There are several large hospital trusts, so there is plenty of choice for nurses and doctors. The trams make commuting easy, although buses can be unreliable at night. The Indian community is large, with temples, grocery shops in Rusholme and the Curry Mile, and big festival celebrations. Yes, it rains a lot, but you get used to it and the Peak District is only an hour away for weekend walks.