Lecia was paying £825 a month to share a damp, mouldy flat in London, but after moving to Manchester she and her boyfriend now enjoy a two-bed flat with a gym and pool for the same price08:11, 21 May 2026Influencer shares Manchester versus London rent comparisonWhen Lecia moved in with three others in London, she could never have anticipated the grim conditions awaiting her in the shared flat. Thankfully, for exactly the same monthly outlay, she's now living the high life with her boyfriend in Manchester.‌The 31-year-old social media manager, originally from Manchester, grew so weary of the dire living conditions that when her partner landed a job up north, the decision to relocate was a no-brainer. In a recent video on her social media channel, @leciasfeast, she laid bare exactly what the same monthly budget gets you in Manchester versus the nation's capital, and the contrast is staggering.‌In London, Lecia was splitting rent four ways at £3,300 per month, working out at £825 each, excluding bills, in conditions that left a great deal to be desired.‌In Manchester, however, she and her boyfriend pay just £1,650 between them, the same figure she was forking out solo in London, and now enjoy a two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat complete with a balcony, gym and pool. It's not hard to see which is the better deal.Lecia described the London property as "terrible," admitting: "I originally moved in with a friend after a breakup, so I was kind of like, 'I'll take anything'."‌She went further, branding the place "genuinely atrocious," explaining: "It was mouldy, old, and had layers of grime from years and years. We asked the landlord to update things, and he refused. Furniture was literally rotting!"Lecia said: "The bathroom floorboards were decaying, we even had mushrooms growing out of the floor at one point, there was a mice infestation, and I actually developed asthma while living there."I do love London, but my quality of life was so low. Looking back, I think it really affected me mentally as well".‌Lecia explained it "wasn't really the plan" to relocate to Manchester, but when her partner secured employment up north, it seemed "inevitable," particularly given the lower cost of living.Lecia explained: "We're both lucky in a lot of ways, but not 'buy a place in London' lucky, so being here and actually being able to save is a bit of a blessing in disguise.‌"Even though I'm paying a similar amount in rent, my quality of life is so much better. I actually want to be in my flat now. I cook, have drinks at home instead of constantly going out, and life just feels calmer."We thought we'd treat ourselves to a slightly fancier flat for a year after the horrors of our London place, then move into a modern one-bed of a similar standard - and that's when the real saving begins, as you can get something really nice in the city centre for around £1.2k.‌"It's still a big city, but without that constant stress and chaos. I do miss parts of London, mainly friends and the energy, but long-term, I know this is the better option. And Manchester's only getting better". Lecia's mental health has improved dramatically, as she's no longer constantly "stressed" about various issues.She also revealed she got "unlucky" in London, as "one housemate was really difficult". She said: "They didn't always pay rent or bills, and honestly made me feel quite unsafe in my own home. But that's unfortunately the risk you take when using SpareRoom".‌However, Lecia insists things are vastly better now, explaining: "Now I've got space to actually live my life. My boyfriend uses the spare room as an office, I film content in the living room, and we've got access to a gym, pool, and sauna - which definitely helps both physically and mentally".That said, some online critics haven't been particularly welcoming, urging her to "stop encouraging southerners to move to Manchester," though Lecia has swiftly set the record straight, clarifying that she's originally from the area and had relocated to London.Lecia cautioned that living as she did in the capital "wears you down," advising anyone considering a move to go for it, but not to view it as permanent, as it can take a serious toll on your wellbeing.Article continues belowIf you want to see more from Lecia, you can follow her on Instagram and TikTok.