Captain Dickwod

As a resident of Manchester myself, I'm certain this city has changed dramatically in the last 10 years or so, since the bomb at least. In the 90s we had a terrible reputation, "Gunchester" springs to mind. It's nothing like this here anymore, but what do the people of the UK think of Manchester nowadays, has it lost its reputation as a crime den and, more importantly, do you view it as the second city of the UK or not? If so, why? If not, why?

Thanks in advance to everyone.

Has anyone been able to check out the Town Hall clock tower/observation deck yet? If so, tell me how it was! I hope to take my step-parents from Lincolnshire up there (and around the markets) some time this week. Thanks!

At the moment I'm a homosexual living in London. I live in Chelsea, which is "supposed" to be one of the "nice" areas of this city, but I've received death threats and had abuse shouted at me in the street for being gay. I have relatives in Manchester and have been up there a few times in the last few weeks and REALLY love it, it's a great city and there's no homophobic pricks up there like we get down here in London. I'd like to move there, not to the city just yet just to the suburbs, my friends live in Prestwich which is a nice area, but I was looking more towards Whitefield or Swinton area, is this a good choice?