One is regarded as the greatest city in the world.
The other, is, thanks to football, music, and a 'can do' zeal also globally famous.
Both have a swagger about them and a vibrancy on their streets - although one dwarfs the other in terms of size.
Architecturally, both embrace the new and remain guardians of the iconic.
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Now New York and Manchester will appear side by side in a new art exhibition.
The souls of both cities have been captured in oils by acclaimed painter, Michael Ashcroft.
He has already built a reputation for his reflecting the neon-lit vitality of Manchester in several major exhibitions in recent years.
In an Edward Hopper-like style he has recorded how cutting-edge design sits next to historic buildings, and the city's glut of glorious backstreet pubs, with a typical sheen of rain on pavements never far away.
Now with 'From Manchester to New York', he explores the character of them which lies in their backstreets and the drama of famous landmarks.
The paintings of the Big Apple, which probably has the most recognisable skyline in the world, were done prior to the Covid lockdown when Michael visited the city and painted in the open air on its streets.
Michael, 51, said: "I grew up surrounded by the cultural and artistic offerings of Manchester. I was intrigued when visiting New York three years ago, to find a resemblance in the ‘vibe’ of the cities, that expression of ‘a feel good- you can do anything attitude’.
"The collection merges the obscure street corners of Manchester with the monumental bridges and landmarks of New York."
For two weeks starting from Saturday, September 4, the collection will be on display at Contemporary Six, an independent art Gallery in Manchester city centre.
The solo show will be Michael’s first since 2018, providing oil paintings from areas Deansgate to the Highline in New York. Michael’s reputation has been justified having been elected as a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
Michael said: "With having a love for cities which started when I was young wannabe artist I always saw New York as the number one place I wanted to visit.
"The first time I went we stayed in the Meatpacking District and the similarity with Manchester was immediately apparent. It didn’t take me long to realise I was going to do a series of paintings of New York and so the idea was born.
"The resemblance between New York and Manchester is quite easy to see in appearance especially with the old warehouses and buildings but it’s not just the similar look that you notice, it’s the vibe.
"Both cities have a cool feel about them with a feel good you can do anything attitude with a focus on nice bars, restaurants and designer shops. They have managed to mix the old and the new in a way that appeals to visitors who leave with a lasting memory of a great city.
"With what’s happened over the recent year and a half I wasn’t able to go back and paint on location, so I decided to do smaller oil paintings done in a plein air style in the studio which I then used as reference to work up into larger more finished pieces. I really enjoyed this way of working but hopefully once New York is fully open again I will be able to go back and paint on the streets."
He was particularly taken by the similarities of Manchester's Northern Quarter with the back streets of New York.
"I think with staying in the Meatpacking District (a hip commercial area on the far west side) for my first visit to New York was the best thing that we could have done. I immediately felt like I was back in the Northern Quarter in Manchester.
"The back streets are so similar its hard to think it’s not the same city if it weren’t for the accent. I remember sitting in Hudson Square with my headphones on drinking tea and sketching the people sat around thinking this is incredible, I love this city.
"I’ve been lucky enough to visit New York twice now, but for this show I’ve tried to capture New York as I saw it for the first time, the famous landmarks and some obscure street corners, its unmistakably New York.
"I hope the viewers will see that I have stood in that exact spot to get the idea for the painting, I can only work this way, I have to experience and connect with the view. The sunset painting for example was from my hotel window and the statue of Liberty painting was seen from the boat.
"A moment in time captured in my mind and then in paint."
Alex Reuben, owner of Contemporary Six said: "Michael is now considered one of the most influential painters in the north, and his new exhibition does not waver in living up to that reputation.
"The quality found in the work of Michael Ashcroft— whether it be the evening shadows of the Highline in New York or the wet reflections of the city on the streets of Manchester, is that he conveys the city by placing his viewer in front of the easel alongside him."
The art Critic David Lee praised Michael for the ‘truthfulness’ of his paintings. He explained ‘in his views of the city, he willingly lays bare his pleasures and beliefs. You can’t ask more of any artist than this. He is a worthy heir of those in the great tradition of Lancashire painters’.
Michael's success stems from him "reconnecting" with art at the age of 28 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He travelled from his home in Culceth frequently to Manchester after requiring surgery and extensive treatment.
In doing so his love for the city - he was already a Red - grew, and he found a subject for his newly rekindled artistic ability.
“By the end of the 90’s Manchester was picking itself up from the devastating impact the bomb (IRA attack of 1996) had on the city and in some ways so was I.
"I grabbed onto its coat tails and we both went on a journey back to health."
