Hey y'all

Im prob moving to Manchester this summer after several enjoyable years in London. I wonder if any residents could break it down what its like for a twenty something music lover?!

Ive searched some threads on here already and have seen the sorts of venues and nights on offer but its hard to piece it together (at least geographically) in my head. Im into all indie guitar based nights (not at all interested in dance/electronica but Soul&Funk would be great), would be living in the city centre and would like to join/put my own band together.
Id like to avoid identikit pubs and identikit thugs where possible!

So...

Whats the unsigned band scene like for venues/nights etc?
Where are the best places to go in and around the city centre for a good night out? (im thinking indie pubs/nice traditional pubs and the like)
Good places to meet other musos?
Nice places to munch?
Any other things to do/places to go/things i should know (insert art/shopping/walking/cultural/travel/manchester things here)

Me and the missus are due for some trips up there to start getting a sense of the geography (we've had flying visits before) so some recommendations of a walking route would be great!!

Any advice/help gratefully accepted at this stage. Ex-Londoners in Manchester/Mancs in London feel free to compare places/nights to those in London so i get a sense of what theyre like.

All advice much appreciated- thankyou.