Thinking about spending a year or two in Great Britain...

My fiance spent the summer studying in London last year, and I have always wanted to experience living in another country. We are wanting to move to Great Britain and are looking for a city that is less expensive than London, but offers a great experience of the culture and has many options as far as things to do. (ie. nightlife, sights, restaurants, parks and rec., etc.)
We are both finishing up college here in the USA and wouldn't be moving for another couple years, just wanting to hear any suggestions people may have so we can plan and try to make this a reality.
Any help would be appreciated.

Manchester has excellent nightlife, shops, bars and restaurants and is a great vibrant city. In general I think the lifestyle is better than what you would get in London as it is not as expsensive and there are not the commuting distances that London has. For example, I lived in an apartment right in the centre of Manchester, which I would never have been able to afford to do in London. It also has a thriving arts scene and there are many options for shows; the music scene is very lively too. Manchester does not have a great deal of 'sights' as such though.

Edinburgh is also a great city so that could be another option.

Yes to Manchester, worth considering. Also look into Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle - all friendly, characterful cities less expensive than London.

Whilst a great city, I think Edinburgh is quite expensive, not that much cheaper than London. If you're thinking about this price band (i.e. a little bit cheaper rather than a lot) you could think about Brighton or Bristol too.

yeah id say Edinburgh as well, its less expensive than London cuz you dont have to take the tube. Everything is walkable.
but as Americans, how do you plan to stay longer than the 6 months that we are granted as a tourist?

That was my next question. We're wanting to work there, I'll be a pharmacist and have already looked into the licensing restrictions and procedures for jumping across the Atlantic. So basically we're wanting to move there to work for a few years, and then see where that takes us. Is that possible?

I would say Sheffield is a place to consider as well - quite a lot cheaper to live in than London, also the Peak District on your doorstep. Easy to get to other areas of Britain as well.

Quoting jmoneyeut

So basically we're wanting to move there to work for a few years, and then see where that takes us. Is that possible?

Immigration rules are changing right now - check out www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for details (www.ukvisas.gov.uk as well)

Liverpool

Edinburgh

Cardiff

Newcastle

Glasgow

Southampton