There was a tweet going round last week about a Property Developer (sales/marketing) using the over used phrase:
"This is Manchester, we do things different here".
Attributed to Anthony Wilson, but I believe that was made up (may have been from Steve Coogan's portrayal in 24hr Party People).
It is indeed annoying and does the city no favours, but the anti Manchester backlash (what else from Twitter) was a bit much.
It's not a perfect city but I often feel it's growth was heavily curtailed a very long time ago by an over centralised (London centric) country and a lack of versatility in what Manchester was/did (the cotton trade for example).
The sheer amount of development can be seen as either staggering or indeed just the city building on land that should've been developed on over the past 100 years but was stemmed by many factors.
But it doesn't take much for peopler to pile on the city (whether moaning natives, or perhaps more likely those with a hint of jealousy in their responses).
Yes, it's expensive to live here....but where isn't atm?
I've been walking around the city quite a bit recently (and had some well travelled friends up last weekend who are amazed at the amount Manchester offers in arts, sports, concert venues, bars etc). It reminded one of New York in its feel, architect and cultural offerings (not of course, in scale).
There is still a problem around Piccadilly Gardens area from the station down some of Portland Steet and High Street and lower Oldham Street which feels dirty and something I'd like to see tackled asap.
But it's a great city to live in.
