I moved from Manchester to New York City. Here are 7 things I miss about living in Northern England.

• After living in Northern England my entire life, I moved from Manchester to New York City.
• Though I love living in the US, I long for a Sunday roast in a cozy pub.
• I miss how accessible the countryside was and how friendly people from Manchester are.

In the summer of 2023, I moved to New York City from Manchester, England.

Though I love the Big Apple, I miss some things about my English city that The New York Times ranked as No. 12 of the 52 places to go in 2024.

Here are seven things I miss about Manchester.

I long for Sunday roasts in one of my favorite cozy restaurants

A Sunday roast is a traditional English dish with meat and potatoes. It's a British staple, and nowhere does it like Trof.

The restaurant, located in the Northern Quarter, serves heaping plates of meat, roasted potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and plenty of gravy.

Its industrial-inspired interior reminds me of the typical exposed-brick establishments in NYC. However, the NYC versions just aren't the same.

I miss how friendly people from Manchester are

Most people I've met from Manchester have very positive attitudes and are extremely approachable.

Meanwhile, New Yorkers are widely stereotyped as being rude and unapproachable. I wouldn't say that's true — I've met so many friendly New Yorkers — but I still don't feel as comfortable talking to strangers in a bar or asking them for directions as I did back home.

In my opinion, the live music scene back in my hometown is unmatched

Manchester is the birthplace of renowned artists like Oasis, The Stone Roses, and The Smiths, so it makes sense that the live-music scene is a huge deal.

I miss attending concerts at Manchester Academy, which is the name given to a handful of live-music venues on the campus of the University of Manchester.

Each show always had a great vibe, and I loved to stop by the campus bar for a cider during the event. I saw many of my favorite artists there, and the small capacity made for an intimate feel.

New York City also has great concert venues, but I prefer "the music lover's paradise."

The holiday markets in New York don't feel as magical as the ones in the UK

Manchester Christmas markets have always been my favorite. Each year, from early November to late December, the streets are lined with shops, eateries, and bars.

Locals and tourists alike can pick up a pint at the Manchester Winter Ale House, find a handmade gift at the personalized ornament stalls, or ice skate at Cathedral Gardens.

I celebrated the holiday season in NYC this past year, so I didn't make it to the most recent Manchester Christmas markets.

Instead, I visited the Union Square and Bryant Park holiday markets in NYC. I had a lot of fun, but I thought Manchester's usual vendors and vibes were superior.

Back in Manchester, I could go for a walk in the countryside whenever I wanted

My family home is only 6 miles outside the city center, with easy access to the English countryside.

It's close to the Pennines, a range of uplands, as well as Peak District National Park, so I frequently enjoyed countryside walks when I lived there.

I still enjoy NYC walks in Central Park and along the Hudson River, but the small touch of nature here doesn't compare to the countryside strolls I had back home.

I wish I could still get products from Greggs bakery whenever I want

When somebody asks me which foods I miss from back home, my first thought is usually Greggs, a British bakery chain that sells savory pastries and sweet treats.

The chain sells a delicious sausage roll, which consists of pork sausage encased in a flaky puff pastry.

Another iconic Greggs product is the sausage, cheese, and bean melt, which is exactly what it sounds like — pork sausages, baked beans, and cheese in flaky puff pastry.

British television feels funnier and overall more entertaining to me

Before moving to the US, I was excited to finally have greater access to American television, especially shows like "Saturday Night Live" and "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon."

But now, I rarely watch television anymore. I don't have a TV in my current apartment, so I often watch clips from talk shows on YouTube rather than searching for the full show.

I also don't have easy access to my favorite British shows. There are American versions of some of my favorite shows to watch in the UK — like "The Traitors US" — but they don't feel the same.

I enjoyed the familiarity of British humor and the presenter I knew of from other English TV shows.