An American woman has opened up about what it was like living in Manchester – and all the things she misses about the city from food spots, nightlife, lifestyle and even public transport
An American woman admits she has been “feeling all emotional” recently and missing Manchester, which she once called home.
While we all have our favourite home comforts that we simply cannot live without, heading abroad provides the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a different way of life. One woman who knows this all too well is Maddy – who took the 3,000 mile trip away from her home in the US to move to the UK. The student made the decision to cross the pond after landing a place at Edge Hill University in Liverpool. She lived on campus for three years, then moved to Manchester after graduating.
Maddy, who says Manchester is her favourite UK city and Liverpool comes in at a close second, even got a tattoo of the city’s iconic worker bee before she moved back to the States.
In a viral TikTok video she said: “Manchester is the love and loss of my life.” Then, she shared a list of “quick fire” things that she misses about living in her “favourite place in the world”.
1. Food
Maddy couldn’t get enough of Rudy’s pizza while living in Manchester. The beloved chain, which started in Ancoats, is known for its Neapolitan-style pizzas.
It became so successful, thanks to co-founders Kate and Jim, that there are now Rudy’s eateries in Liverpool, Leeds, London and Birmingham.
Maddy lamented: “I miss Rudy’s, I think it’s the best pizza in the entire world.” That’s definitely high praise coming from an American!
The former expat also highly recommended Day and Night café in Oldham Street. But if she wanted something cheap and cheerful, she opted for Wetherspoons or Toby Carvery.
While many insult British food, Maddy still gets cravings for it. She said: “I miss beans, we don’t have the same kind of beans here.” Her other favourites are chips and gravy, as well as sausage rolls.
Maddy added: “I also miss Greggs more than anything. Americans truly wouldn’t get Greggs and I would do anything for a sausage roll!”.
2. Nightlife
Maddy loved the vibrant nightlife scene while living in the city. She said: “I miss the Northern Quarter in the evening, late in the summer when all the bear gardens would be open.
“I miss the chaos of Market Street even though it became too much at times and can be a little abrasive.
“I love that there was always a performer or somebody doing something. It was always crazy and chaotic and it was just impossible to be bored when you’re strolling through there, even though it was a little inconvenient sometimes.”
3. Work-life balance
While living in the UK, Maddy noticed how different people think about work in comparison to Americans.
The UK generally offers a better work-life balance due to the amount of annual leave many get, as well as public holidays.
Plus, Brits prioritise leisure more instead of channelling competitive work culture that is rife in the US.
Maddy, who is an Oasis superfan, shared: “I miss the lifestyle of we’re working to get money and live our lives, we’re not living our lives to work and climb the corporate ladder. Americans haven’t really figured that out yet and I miss it a lot.”
4. Public transport
Fourthly, the American misses how easy it was to get public transport in the UK. She said: “I miss the tram and being able to rely on public transport and not having to drive anywhere.”
Maddy noted that she grew up on a farm, 10 miles away from a city, so the idea of public transport “never crossed her mind” until she moved to the UK.
However there is one thing she does not miss – platforms 13 and 14 at Manchester Piccadilly. She moaned they are “so far away” – and we have to agree with her on that one!
Maddy said: “I do not miss Manchester Piccadilly platforms 13 and 14. I went to school near Liverpool and had to go there all the time and I just want to shout out how much I still despise those platforms.”
‘An American with true taste’
Maddy’s TikTok video has garnered dozens of responses on TikTok – and many can relate to the four points she raised.
One individual said: “Come back girl, you’re an honorary Mancunian now.”
Another commented: “An American with true taste.” A third remarked: “Aw girl you need to come back, you proper get us.”
One other wrote: “As soon as you said you missed Rudy’s I knew I could trust you.” Meanwhile, a fifth added: “I’d never be able to leave because of Rudy’s!”
