What Is It Really Like to Live at Union Co-living Manchester?
Your 20s and 30s are arguably some of the best years to live in Manchester City Centre.
There’s always somewhere new opening, something happening and another reason to say yes to plans. But when you’re choosing where to live, it’s not just about finding a nice apartment. You want somewhere that actually fits the life you want to have.
Somewhere you can work from home without sitting at the kitchen table all day. Somewhere you can fit in a workout without traveling across town to a crowded gym. Somewhere you can meet people if you’re new to Manchester. And somewhere that puts the best of the city within easy reach.
That’s where Union Co-living comes in.
Located in St. John’s, Union has created a different kind of city-centre living, combining modern apartments with social spaces, co-working, fitness, events and a ready-made community.
So, what does life at Union actually look like?
Start Your Morning at Base
First stop: coffee.
Instead of heading out to find your nearest coffee shop, Union residents have BASE right downstairs.
Part café, part bar and part social space, BASE is somewhere you can grab a morning coffee and pastry, take your laptop down for a change of scenery, or meet a flatmate before heading out for the day.
Come evening, it becomes somewhere to catch up over drinks and pizza, play a game of pool or simply spend some time outside your apartment.
There’s an outdoor terrace too, making it an easy meeting point and guaranteed golden hour spot when the Manchester weather decides to cooperate.
It’s a small detail, but having a space like BASE within the building changes the feel of where you live. You’re not just passing your neighbours in the lift. There are actually places to stop, chat and get to know the people around you.
The WFH Upgrade
If hybrid working has taught us anything, it’s that working from your bedroom isn’t quite the dream we once thought it would be.
Union’s Co-Working spaces give residents somewhere comfortable to settle in for the day without actually having to leave the building.
Whether you’ve got a full day of calls, need somewhere to focus or just fancy getting out of your apartment for a few hours, you’ve got a proper workspace waiting downstairs. With monitors, soundproof booths, and versatile workspace options across both buildings, working from home has never been easier.
And the commute home? A couple of minutes in the lift.
For young professionals working flexibly, it’s a pretty ideal set-up. You get the separation of home and work without needing to travel across Manchester or spend half your salary on coffee just to secure a table somewhere.
Your Gym Is Downstairs Too
Finding the motivation to exercise after a long day at work isn’t always easy. It becomes considerably easier when your gym is in the same building.
Union residents with access through U+ can use the on-site fully equipped gym, meaning an early morning workout, lunchtime session or post-work training can actually fit around your day.
No commute. No excuses about the rain. Just head downstairs.
And if classes and community fitness are more your thing, there’s plenty of that too.
There’s Usually Something Going On
One of the things we’ve seen first-hand through our partnership with Union is just how much emphasis there is on bringing people together.
Manchester Run Club has hosted runs from Union, we’ve rolled out the mats for Pilates and wellbeing events, and residents can get involved with everything from football screenings to social events happening within the building.
That’s particularly valuable if you’re new to Manchester.
Moving to a new city can be exciting, but building a friendship group from scratch isn’t always as easy as it looks on Instagram. Living somewhere that naturally creates opportunities to meet people can make a huge difference.
You can head downstairs for an event knowing there will be other people in exactly the same position.
And sometimes a quick hello at a run club, Pilates class or resident social is all it takes to find the people you end up spending your weekends with.
Don’t Have a Flatmate? Union Can Help With That Too
Maybe you’ve landed a new job in Manchester and don’t know anyone here yet. Or perhaps your friends aren’t quite ready to make the move into the city with you. That doesn’t mean you have to live alone.
Union has a flatmate matching service that asks questions about how you like to live before matching you with room options and people you’re more likely to get along with. You can still have your own private space, while sharing an apartment with people who could end up becoming part of your Manchester circle.
For anyone making the move to the city solo, it’s another way Union makes meeting people feel that little bit easier.
Then You Step Outside…
As much as there is to do inside Union, its location is a pretty big part of the appeal too. Union sits on Water Street in St. John’s, one of the most exciting areas of Manchester’s city centre.
The neighbourhood has quickly developed into a destination for food, fitness, entertainment and nights out and plenty of it is within walking distance.
You can head to Courts Club for a game with friends, book dinner or drinks at Fenix, grab brunch at Caravan or explore the growing number of venues popping up around St. John’s.
Spinningfields and Deansgate are also under a 5 minute walk away, so whether it’s after-work drinks, dinner with friends or a last-minute Saturday plan, you’re already right in the middle of it.
It’s the kind of location that makes Manchester feel genuinely walkable and makes saying yes to spontaneous plans much easier.
It’s the Community That Makes the Difference
A nice apartment is important. So is a good location. But what makes somewhere actually feel like home is usually the people.
That’s arguably where Union Co-living stands out most.
The shared spaces, BASE, co-working areas, gym and events all create reasons for residents to leave their apartments and interact with each other.
You can still shut your door and have your own space whenever you want it. But when you do feel like being social, there’s a community right outside it.
For young professionals balancing careers, friendships, fitness and everything else Manchester has to offer, that’s a pretty appealing combination.
Could This Be Manchester’s Ultimate 20s and 30s Set-Up?
Picture the week.
Monday morning starts with a coffee from BASE before working from the Co-Working space. Tuesday is a gym session downstairs. Wednesday you’re out for dinner in St. John’s. Thursday there’s something happening with other residents. Friday starts with work and ends with drinks without even leaving the building.
Then you’ve got the whole of Manchester waiting outside for the weekend.
That’s the real appeal of Union.
It’s not simply about renting a room in Manchester city centre. It’s about having your home, workspace, gym, social spaces and community all in one place – with one of Manchester’s most exciting neighbourhoods on the doorstep.
Your 20s and 30s are about meeting people, building your career, trying new things and making the most of city life.
And Union has been designed to make doing all of that a whole lot easier.
