Salford: All you need to know

Salford: All you need to know

🏙️ Welcome to Salford –your new home near Manchester

Salford is a lively and diverse city in Greater Manchester, in the north-west of England. It shares a border — and much of its energy — with Manchester, one of the UK’s biggest cities. Many people live in Salford but work, study, or socialise in Manchester, just 10–20 minutes away.

If you’re joining Oaklands Hospital, you’ll be based in a city that’s full of history, football, culture, and a strong sense of community. Salford might be your first UK home — and it’s a city that welcomes newcomers.

📌 Key Facts

  • Population: Around 260,000
  • Distance to Manchester City Centre: 10–20 minutes by bus or train
  • Transport: Excellent public transport (buses, trams, trains)
  • Languages: English is spoken widely, but you’ll also hear Urdu, Polish, Punjabi, Yoruba, and Arabic
  • Climate: Rainy and grey, especially in winter — but milder than other northern areas

🧭 What Salford Feels Like

  • Salford is proud, working-class, and deeply rooted in community. People tend to be straightforward, warm, and helpful once you start talking to them.
  • The local accent (called “Mancunian” or “Salfordian”) may take a little time to get used to. People speak quickly, with a musical, rising tone — but they’re usually happy to repeat themselves if you ask politely.
  • You may hear words like “luv”, “mate”, or “cheers” in everyday conversation — this is friendly and casual.
  • Very multicultural — with large Polish, Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian, and Eastern European communities.

⚽ Football, TV, and Local Culture

  • This region is football-obsessed. Salford and Manchester are home to two of the world’s most famous football clubs — Manchester United and Manchester City. You’ll see jerseys everywhere and people talking about matches every week.
    ⚠ Tip: be careful picking sides unless you’re ready for long debates!
  • Salford is also home to MediaCityUK, a massive broadcasting hub where BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 have studios. Many popular UK TV shows are filmed here, and locals are proud of the creative economy it brings.

✅ What’s great about Salford

  • Well-connected: Regular buses and trams take you to work, shops, and Manchester
  • Multicultural: Salford has large international communities — you won’t be alone
  • Affordable: Rent and food are more affordable than in London or southern cities
  • Real sense of identity: This is not just a “satellite” city — Salford has its own voice and community
  • Close to green space: Canals, rivers, and parks offer calm escapes from busy shifts

☕ What Newcomers Say

  • “Salford isn’t fancy, but it’s real and people are kind.”
  • “There’s a shop for every culture — I found things from home within a week.”
  • “Buses are annoying sometimes, but I can walk to the tram and get anywhere.”
  • “It rains a lot, but I’m used to it now.”