According to a recent study by Manchester Young Professionals (MYP), 66% of 250 young professionals surveyed said that finding affordable rental accommodation in Manchester City Centre is ‘very hard’.
The findings come as the young professionals networking group uncovers the challenges of relocating to Manchester and sourcing affordable housing in today’s rental market.
Commenting on the findings, Rich Tyrrell, co-founder of MYP, said: “Manchester has quickly become a magnet for young professionals looking to progress in their careers in a fast-paced city environment. But although it’s a city of opportunities, our data shows that many people actually find it a challenge to live in Manchester and find suitable accommodation.”
alarming 66% of respondents expressed that finding a room to rent in Manchester was ‘very hard’ compared to 28% who found it ‘not so bad’ and only 7% who found it ‘super easy.’
Rich continued: “These statistics show the intensity of the housing market in Manchester, leaving many young people facing problems when trying to find suitable living arrangements before moving.”
Further complicating the issues surrounding sourcing accommodation, nearly half (49%) of those surveyed said they find it ‘very hard’ to find a suitable flatmate.
In response to these findings, MYP recently announced a strategic partnership with UNION, an organisation dedicated to helping individuals find rooms to rent in Manchester with like-minded flatmates.
“Understanding the challenges young people in our community face is at the core of MYP’s mission,” added Rich. “Our collaboration with UNION aims to address the housing concerns found from our survey by providing a solution that goes beyond traditional housing searches.”
UNION focuses on matching individuals not just based on living preferences but also on shared interests, creating a more innovative approach to roommate matching.
Finding like-minded people and forming new friendships in general in the city was also found to be a key concern for many. When asked about the biggest obstacles faced when starting a new life in Manchester, a staggering 68% of respondents said that “meeting new people” was their primary challenge and 50% said they find it ‘very hard’ to meet new people in the city.
Rich added: “While Manchester is known for its friendly and welcoming community, I often hear that people find it difficult to make new friendships. The size of the city makes it daunting for people to create meaningful connections which is why it’s so important to find similar-minded people to live with as the first step.
“Finding an enjoyable living arrangement is so important for a smooth transition, not just to Manchester, but to anywhere. Finding housing with the right people who share similar interests, values and lifestyles creates an initial supportive social circle and the confidence to go out and meet even more people.”
As Manchester continues to attract more young professionals, MYP encourages a collective effort to address the challenges found in the poll.
Created in 2013 by co-founders Rich Tyrrell and Andrew Bennie, MYP remains an inclusive and accessible network for people in their 20s and 30s who work in the city, designed to connect like-minded individuals while offering key contacts and development opportunities.
Rich ended by saying: “By creating partnerships and initiatives that prioritise the well-being and success of our community, we can build a city where every young professional feels welcomed and supported.”
More information about the collaboration between MYP and UNION can be found at www.liveunion.com.
