Manchester, yes the city itself not just the University, although it may be a large contributing factor , has an incredible balance.
From the conducive academic environment the university itself and and the campus provides (to the extent that you actually feel motivated not just pressured to do well academically) to the incredibly liveable city it is that thrives with the hustle and bustle of being in a city but also not overwhelmingly chaotic like what you would imagine maybe a city like London to be. The student experience at UoM becomes almost a privilege and a lifestyle, and it very quickly becomes home.