I lived and worked in Manchester for just over a year and loved the place (the job was the problem but the place and people were great). If you want to get along learn the difference between United and City, and what a Scouser is.
There are some good ranges (Diggle - diggleranges.com) there and excellent bike routes, just follow the A6 down to Matlock -, bikers' heaven but getting a bit too popular now. You'll be in easy riding distance for a weekend away to the Lakes in the North, the Moors to the East, Welsh hills to the West and Bisley South. Manchester is really about the centre of England.