The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Cardiff

Cardiff is fast becoming one of the most popular cities in the UK to move to.

And it is not just the English moving to Cardiff, many people from the US are also taking an interest in moving to what is one of the most desirable cities in the UK to work and live in.

In this guide to moving to Cardiff, you will find all the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Cardiff and what it’s like to work and live there.

You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving to Wales. In this guide, we look at the happiest places to live in Wales, as well as the pros and cons of moving here.

Should I Move to Cardiff?

What’s it like to live in Cardiff?

Well, if the number of students who stay living and working in Cardiff after their time at university, or the people who always return to Cardiff having moved away, or the tourists who come here then decide to make it their forever home is anything to go by, it is obviously a great place to live.

People who live in Cardiff are considered friendly and welcoming, and there is a great community spirit in Cardiff with many neighbourhoods having a village feel rather than a city vibe.

But of course with the bonus that should you so wish, the buzzing nightlife of Cardiff city centre is never that far away.

Here are the top 6 reasons why you should move to Cardiff.

#1 It’s cheap

Well, compared to most cities, and certainly most capital cities, the cost of living is cheaper.

Whether buying or renting a property you will be surprised at just how much home you get for your money. There is a whole section about the cost of living in Cardiff later in this guide.

#2 It’s well-connected

Cardiff airport is on your doorstep, Bristol Airport is only 40 miles away, London is a quick trip up the M4, and a great road network opens up the delights of all of Wales, as well as the South West of England.

#3 It offers a great quality of life

moneysupermarket.com carried out research that actually backs this often-claimed title.

Cardiff really does offer something for everyone with a huge variety of places to eat, drink, watch, or participate in sports, there are masses or open spaces, you are only 30 minutes away from the Brecon Beacons and you are right on the coast.

#4 There’s lots to do

Whether you are a nature lover, are into art and culture, historic buildings, history, museums, and nightlife, or are a foodie or a sports fanatic, Cardiff has a never-ending supply of things for you to do, visit, or become involved in.

#5 A great mix of city and countryside

Within the city itself, you have Cardiff Bay with an abundance of wildlife, Bute Park which holds Cardiff Castle within its grounds, Roath Park, and Pontcanna Fields, in fact, Cardiff is an incredibly green city.

But should you wish to explore further afield then the stunning countryside and mountains of South Wales are right on your doorstep.

#6 It’s easy to get around.

How big is Cardiff? At just 140 sq km, Cardiff is a compact city that is easy to navigate by foot and has a population of about 475,000 people.

Did you know? Cardiff has the smallest percentage of people over 65 living in Wales at just 13%

You may also like to read: Is Life Better in the Suburbs, the City, or the Countryside? Anybody thinking of moving to Cardiff are very lucky because they have the choice of city centre living, some very desirable suburbs, and of course, some stunning countryside just minutes from the city. In this guide, we look at whether life is better in the city, the suburbs, or the countryside to help you choose the location of your new home.

Is Cardiff a Safe Place to Live?

Cardiff is generally one of the safest cities in the UK and has a relatively low crime rate.

Like any city, there are some deprived areas, but they are not regarded as any more dangerous than other wealthier parts of Cardiff.

The areas regarded as less affluent in Cardiff are Riverside, Llanrumney, Plasnewyyd, Splott, and Tremoffa.

According to www.travelsafe-abroad.com Cardiff is classed as a low-risk destination.

To see what the latest crime figures are for the specific area you are moving to in Cardiff visit www.police.uk

You may also like to read: Choosing Where to Live: Location, Location, Location. Often your experience of living somewhere can be very different even within the same postcode area. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of living on a main road, a cul-de-sac, near shops, a school, a public park, or a river to help you choose the best place to live.

What is the Average Property Rental Cost in Cardiff?

Compared to most cities within the UK you will be pleasantly surprised at the average cost of renting a home in Cardiff.

• The average rental cost of a 1 bedroom home in Cardiff is £958 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 2-bedroom home in Cardiff is £1,297 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 3-bedroom home in Cardiff is £1,914 pcm
• The average rental cost of a 4-bedroom home in Cardiff is £2,163 pcm

The average cost of rental property is taken from www.home.co.uk April 2024

What is the Average Property Price in Cardiff?

• The average price of a detached home in Cardiff is £495,649

• The average price of a semi-detached home in Cardiff is £328,783

• The average price of a terraced home in Cardiff is £2168,362

• The average price of a flat in Cardiff is £173,420

The average property prices were taken from www.rightmove.co.uk April 2024

You may also like to read: Is Retiring to the City a Good Idea? Cardiff would be an ideal city to retire to with it being so walkable and having so much to see and do. In this guide, we share 16 great reasons for retiring to the city.

Is Cardiff an Expensive City to Live in?

According to www.numbeo.com, the average monthly costs excluding rent or mortgage repayments are:

• A single person on average will need £806 pm to cover living costs
• A family of 4 on average needs an income of £2,693 pm to cover living costs

Cost of Living in Cardiff vs Major UK Cities

According to data from www.expatisan.com here is a comparison of the cost of living in Cardiff with other major UK cities:

• The cost of living in Cardiff is 50% cheaper than in London
• The cost of living in Cardiff is 23% cheaper than in Birmingham
• The cost of living in Cardiff is 45% cheaper than Leeds
• The cost of living in Cardiff is 43% cheaper than Liverpool
• The cost of living in Cardiff is 16% cheaper than in York
• The cost of living in Cardiff is about the same as Leicester
• The cost of living in Cardiff is 11% cheaper than in Glasgow
• The cost of living in Cardiff is 19% cheaper than Edinburgh
• The cost of living in Cardiff is 34% cheaper than in Bristol
• The cost of living in Cardiff is 8% cheaper than in Plymouth

How Much Does it Cost to Move to Wales?

How much does it cost to move a 1-2 Bedroom home to Cardiff?

Obviously each home move is different, and the only way to get an accurate removal cost estimate is to request one from a comparison price website.

Must do: Get a home removal cost estimate for free.

But to give you a rough idea, excluding packing costs, you can expect to pay on average the following home moving costs when hiring a professional removal firm to move you to Cardiff.

• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from London to Cardiff costs on average £1,575
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Birmingham to Cardiff costs on average £1,515
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Leeds to Cardiff on average costs £1,715
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Liverpool to Cardiff costs about £1,670
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from York to Cardiff costs about £1,740
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Leicester to Cardiff costs about £1,565
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Glasgow to Cardiff costs about £1,990
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Edinburgh to Cardiff costs about £1,995
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Bristol to Cardiff costs about £1,395
• Moving a 1-2 bedroom home from Plymouth to Cardiff on average costs £1,575

On average expect to pay about £275-£475 for a professional packing service for a 1-2 bedroom home.

You may also like to read: How much is the average cost to move a 1-2 bedroom home? In this guide, we compare the costs of moving a 1 or 2-bedroom home either by yourself or using a removal company to help you budget for your home move.

How much does it cost to move a 3-bedroom home to Cardiff?

• Moving a 3 bedroom home from London to Cardiff on average costs £1,710
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Birmingham to Cardiff on average costs £1,650
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Leeds to Cardiff on average costs £1,850
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Liverpool to Cardiff on average costs £1,805
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from York to Cardiff on average costs £1,875
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Leicester to Cardiff on average costs £1,720
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Glasgow to Cardiff on average costs £2,125
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Edinburgh to Cardiff on average costs £2,135
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Bristol to Cardiff on average costs £1,530
• Moving a 3 bedroom home from Plymouth to Cardiff on average costs £1,710

On average expect to pay about £450-£950 for a professional packing service for a 3 bedroom home.

You may also like to read: How much is the average cost to move a 3 bedroom home? In this guide, we compare the price of moving home yourself vs hiring professional movers.

Where are the Best Areas to Live in Cardiff?

Thinking of moving to the Cardiff area? Here is a Cardiff neighbourhood guide with the best places to rent or buy a home in the Cardiff area.

Where are the best areas to rent a home in Cardiff?

According to www.walesonline.co.uk, these are the top 5 places to rent a home in Cardiff:

#1 Cardiff Bay

If you love being in the centre of the action and stunning waterfront views, then Cardiff Bay is the place for you.

Completed in 1999, there are 8 miles of waterfront on the 500-acre lake.

There is an abundance of eateries and bars, a number of local supermarkets, sports facilities, and great transport links to the city centre which is only a mile away.

cardiffbay.co.uk will give you a great introduction to the area.

#2 Canton

A super trendy part of Cardiff to live with a great arts scene and plenty of choice of eateries and bars.

Just 2 miles outside the city centre, there are two parks, a library, several primary schools, and a high school.

#3 Pontcanna

Another super trendy part of Cardiff with plenty of choice of bars and restaurants.

Well known for its wide, tree-lined roads and large houses which provide easy access to the city centre.

Between the River Taff and Pontcanna, you will find a strip of parkland that houses the Cardiff City Riding School, as well as football pitches and allotments.

Pontcanna is home to the Sports Wales National Centre and the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Team.

#4 Roath

Roath is amongst some of the most affluent areas of Cardiff, with easy access to the city centre, a good selection of local stores, and the famous Roath Park.

Popular with students due to its proximity to the university, you will find plenty of bars and restaurants in Roath.

#5 Cathays

Due to its proximity to Cardiff University, this is a popular student area.

There is a great selection of bars and eateries, as well as a couple of local supermarkets.

Most of the properties here are Victorian terraces.

The Sherman Theatre is a famous local landmark, as is the Civic Centre.

What are the best areas to buy a home in Cardiff?

Here are 5 of the top areas to buy a property in Cardiff

#1 Cyncoed

Although this is one of the most expensive areas to live in the whole of Wales, it is a much sought after area by families looking for a larger home to buy.

In Cyncoed you will also find two of the top schools in Cardiff, as well as a campus of Cardiff University.

#2 Lisvane

Another of Cardiff’s most affluent areas with mainly large family homes set between the city and countryside.

Lisvane is just 5 miles from the city centre but has a village feel about it.

There is a community website where you will find lots of interesting and useful information about Lisvane: lisvanecommunity.org.uk

#3 Thornhill

Situated between the city and the beautiful countryside of Cardiff, Thornhill has a good mix of different-sized homes, many of which are family-friendly new builds.

The area is fairly new having mainly been built in the 1990s.

#4 Llandaff

If you are looking for easy access to the city but prefer to live in a quieter, village feel suburb, then Llandaff is worth considering.

Beautiful stone-built homes, historic buildings, a cathedral, a good selection of bars and cafes, as well as a relaxing park can all be found in Llandaff.

#5 Penylan

Stunning views over the city centre, Cardiff Bay, and the Bristol Channel ensure that Penylan is a very popular area in which to live.

It is a quiet suburb with beautiful Victorian homes and quaint tearooms, Roath Park is on your doorstep and you are within walking distance of the city centre.

You may also like to read: Which Type of Property is Right For Me? House, Bungalow, or Flat. Having found your ideal area to live in Cardiff, now we are looking at the type of home that would best suit your lifestyle now and in the future.

Moving to Cardiff Alone

Are you thinking of moving to Cardiff alone, perhaps as a student or for work? Is Cardiff a good place to live for single people?

Here are some essential things to know when moving to Cardiff as a single person.

• The people of Cardiff are very welcoming and friendly, and being such a compact city it is easy to feel familiar with the area quite quickly. This is important as it will enable you to quickly see familiar faces and make new friends.
• Cardiff is considered a very safe place to live but as with anywhere in the world, just be cautious when out and about.
• Consider renting a room in a shared house, or flat sharing, if you want to save some money, get to know the area, and make instant friends in Cardiff. Useful websites for finding rooms to rent in Cardiff include: gumtree.co.uk, www.spareroom.co.uk, or www.nestpick.com
• Join local social media groups to find out all the best places to go and get the low down on Cardiff city life.
• meetup.com has plenty of local groups to join so that you quickly find new friends and get to learn all about living in Cardiff.
• Consider volunteering in your spare time, it is a great way to meet new people and help the local community at the same time. volunteercardiff.co.uk will give you some great ideas.

You may also like to read: Can I Move to A New City Alone? In this guide, we share some tips to make moving to a city on your own and settling in easier and cheaper.

Living in Cardiff as a Student

If you have been accepted as a student at Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan, or the University of South Wales, or are considering becoming one, then this section is for you.

There are over 28,000 students in Cardiff so you will be amongst a great community of fellow scholars, and because students make up such a large proportion of the population of Cardiff, their needs are well catered for and there is plenty of support available.

Compared with most university towns and cities, Cardiff is comparatively cheap, and student accommodation is abundant.

And after you finish your education, when you cannot bear to leave the wonderful city of Cardiff, the employers of Cardiff are very keen to take on graduates, so there are many career opportunities.

So rather than go into reams of information about living in Cardiff as a student, here are our pick of top websites that will give you all the information and support you need.

• cardiff.ac.uk is the official website of Cardiff University
• cardiffmet.ac.uk is the official website of Cardiff Metropolitan University
• southwales.ac.uk is the official website of the University of South Wales
• cardiffdigs.co.uk is a great website run by the 3 Universities and the council of Cardiff. From how to move out of halls of residence to which day to put your bins out, this website has it all.
• cardiffstudents.com is run by the Cardiff University Students Union. From money advice to where the best places to shop are, this website has lots of useful information.
• cardiff.ac.uk has plenty of useful information, from how to apply to Cardiff University to a very handy New Students Checklist which lists all the things you need to do before and after moving to Cardiff University.

And don’t forget to read the Best of Cardiff section where you will find great recommendations for places to eat, drink, party the night away, or to go to escape and relax.

You may also like to read: All You Need To Know About Moving to College. In this guide, we share tips to make moving to college easier and cheaper.

Moving to Cardiff with Family

Is Cardiff a good place to raise a family?

Cardiff is a very family-orientated city with plenty for the whole family to do.

In fact, Cardiff has launched its own Child-Friendly City Strategy with the ultimate goal being to become of the UK’s first Unicef Child-Friendly Cities.

You can read all about what this means to you and your family at www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk

Within Cardiff itself, you will find plenty of activities to keep your children occupied such as the wetland trails of Cardiff Bay and Bute Park.

There are cinemas, bowling alleys, arcades, the Techniquest interactive science centre, and many family-friendly restaurants throughout the city. And of course, you are right on the doorstep of the stunning Welsh countryside with hundreds of incredible places to explore.

You will find plenty of free things to do in Cardiff too. www.culturetrip.com lists lots of free activities to keep the family entertained.

From the previous sections, you will now know that Cardiff is a city of low crime and is considered one of the safest cities in the UK, not only that but how affordable Cardiff is compared to other UK cities.

Then consider that www.walesonline.co.uk reports that Cardiff was voted as one of the best cities in Europe in which to live, Cardiff has a high quality of life, and a new Cardiff Clean Air plan has been backed by the government, and Cardiff would seem like a very good place in which to raise a family.

And as parents, you will want to know about healthcare in Cardiff so visit www.cardiff.gov.uk to find local doctors, dentists, healthcare specialists, and hospitals.

Read on to find out which are the best schools in Cardiff and then later in this guide, you will find the best of Cardiff guide, including the top family-friendly restaurants in Cardiff.

You might also like to read: How to Decide Where to Live Next. With so many choices of great places to live in and around Cardiff, here we suggest 12 things to consider when choosing where to live.

Which are the Best Schools in Cardiff?

There are 3 state nursery schools, 1 bi-lingual school, 98 primary and 19 secondary schools, a number of private schools, a sixth form college, as well as 3 universities in Cardiff.

Schools in Wales are categorised by a color-coded system, red being schools that need help and green being the best.

You can see the school ratings in the area you wish to move to in Cardiff in these reports from www.gov.wales

You may also be interested in visiting www.schoolguide.co.uk which allows you to compare local schools in Cardiff.

Is There Much Employment in Cardiff?

Not only is Cardiff a great place to live, but it offers some great employment opportunities.

www.walesonline.co.uk quotes Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns as saying “Employment is at a record high; latest data shows that Wales is the fastest growing nation in the UK and Cardiff is the fastest growth growing capital”

So what are the biggest employment sectors in Cardiff?

If you are in the digital tech sector, then Cardiff is one of the fastest-growing tech centres in the UK according to www.business-live.co.uk, with over 21,500 people currently employed in this industry in Cardiff.

The 5 fastest-growing companies in Cardiff as reported by www.walesonline.co.uk are:

• DMSG – A group of companies offering change management programmes.
• City Energy Network Ltd – An energy efficiency consultancy
• Bect Building Contractors – Civil engineering, construction, refurbishment, and facilities management
• DevOps Group – IT consultancy
• Oprema Ltd – A UK consultancy and distributor of security systems

Other major employers in Cardiff are the public sector, finance, retail, media, and tourism.

There are several websites to help you find employment in Cardiff including:

• cardiffjobs.co.uk
• totaljobs.com
• jobsite.co.uk
• reed.co.uk

What Are The Best Ways of Getting Around Cardiff?

Being a fairly small city, Cardiff is easy to walk or cycle around. The central areas are pedestrianized and many new cycle routes have been created within the city.

There is an on-street cycle hire scheme allowing you to hire bikes from docking stations around the city. For more information visit www.nextbike.co.uk

If travelling by car there are 9 city-center car parks with spaces for over 3500 cars, with the St David’s Shopping Centre having an additional 2000 car spaces.

There are also park and ride facilities outside the city centre.

To find the location of NCP car parks in Cardiff visit www.ncp.co.uk

To find pay and display car parks in Cardiff visit www.cardiff.gov.uk

For those who don’t own a car but want to explore the beauty of Wales or further afield, there is the City Car Club which is a car rental scheme. Find out more at www.citycarclub.co.uk

Cardiff is well-serviced by the rail network.

From Cardiff Queen Street station you can get to Cardiff Bay, Cathays, Llandaff North, and Ninian Park.

Cardiff Central station will take you further afield with services to the Valleys and Vale of Glamorgan, with intercity services to many UK cities including a high-speed service to London.

Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for more train information and timetables

There is an extensive local bus service as well as an express bus service between Cardiff and Cardiff Airport.

Local buses also connect the surrounding areas to Cardiff. More details about the bus services in Cardiff can be found at www.cardiffbus.com

Taxis are plentiful with several taxi ranks situated around the city.

For those who need help getting to the city centre there is City Centre Mobility Assistance. These operate Monday to Friday between 11 am and 3 pm. They can be prebooked by calling 029 2087 3888.

And finally, one of the best ways to get from Bute Park to Cardiff Bay is on the Princess Katharine water-bus service which operates an hourly service.

As a bonus, you will even get a running commentary about the local history and points of interest on your journey. Aquabus also offers hourly services between Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay.

For more information on the aquabus and water-bus services visit www.aquabus.co.uk  and www.cardiffharbour.com

What is There To Do in Cardiff For Free?

There is so much to see and do in Cardiff. But it is even better when you get to experience parts of Cardiff for free.

So let’s dive right in and see just what Cardiff has to offer you for a free day out.

What can you do for free in Cardiff?

• Bute Park – Visit beautiful Bute Park, 130 acres of parkland and landscaped gardens. Visit the arboretum or take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the River Taff. It is a great place to unwind and relax.
• Glamorgan Canal Nature Reserve – Glamorgan Canal Nature Reserve is a great place to wander around and glimpse herons and kingfishers as well as a variety of tree and flower species.
• Cardiff Bay – As well as all the cafes, bars and restaurants for you to enjoy in Cardiff Bay, there is also a 10km circular trail for walkers and cyclists.
• Castle Quarter Arcades – Spend a day window shopping and exploring the unique, hand-made and vintage items within the Castle Quarter Arcades. 
• National Museum and Art Gallery – With interactive activities and interesting exhibitions held throughout the year, there is always something to see here.
• St Fagans National History Museum – A 100-acre open-air museum where you can learn all about Welsh traditions as well as see over 40 re-erected original welsh buildings.
• Cardiff Story Museum – Discover the story of Cardiff through the ages.
• Chapter Art Centre – A fantastic place to while away a day looking at all the art exhibitions and galleries.
• Llandaff Cathedral – Steeped in history, built on the site of a 6th-century monastery alongside the River Taff, this cathedral is well worth a visit.
• Millennium Centre – Situated in Cardiff Bay you will find the Millennium Centre which houses the National Arts Centre of Wales. Free shows are often held on the Glanfa Stage in the lobby.
• Norwegian Church Arts Centre – Roald Dahl was baptized here and was formerly a church frequented by Scandinavian sailors. Today it is an art gallery often hosting exhibitions by local artists.
• Cardiff Castle Grounds – Just take proof that you live or work in Cardiff to the ticket office and you can get a key giving you free access to the castle grounds for 3 years.
• Live Music and Comedy – Porters regularly hold open mic nights and comedy shows during the week for free.
• Ignite Cardiff – Be inspired by listening to people talk about their passions in quick 5-minute sessions. These sessions can be fun, enlightening, and inspiring but always worth 5 minutes of your time.

The Best of Cardiff

If you are moving to Cardiff you will probably be overwhelmed with the number of things to do, the great restaurants, bars, and clubs. So here is our top 5 of the best of Cardiff.

Top 5 Restaurants in Cardiff

These are the top 5 rated restaurants in Cardiff as ranked by www.tripadvisor.com

• Masala Bag
• Duchess of Delhi
• Elmers Take a Break Café
• Salkaara
• Café Du Chat Noir

Top 5 Pubs in Cardiff

www.tripadvisor.com lists these 5 as the top bars in Cardiff.

• Hopbunker
• Elevens Bar and Grill
• Gin and Juice
• The Alchemist
• The Cambrian Tap

Top 5 Clubs in Cardiff

The top clubs in Cardiff as rated by www.designmynight.com

• Soda
• Tiger Tiger Cardiff
• Coyote Ugly Cardiff
• Glam Nightclub
• Mocka Lounge

Top 5 Unique Things to Do In Cardiff

• No Fit State – Learn circus skills at nofitstate, from juggling to trapezing, this is a unique experience for all the family, whatever their abilities.
• Dr Who Tour – Much of the Dr Who series is filmed in and around Cardiff. This walking tour visits 20 locations used in the Dr Who series.
• The Clink – A unique dining experience where your meal will be cooked by serving inmates at HMP Cardiff as part of their rehabilitation and work towards qualifications.
• The Vaults – A nightclub within a real vault of a bank that was built in 1926. It has a Techno Room, Funky House Room, and upstairs in what was the bank itself, a cartoon cinema chill-out room. Awesome.
• Spillers Record Store – Opened in 1894, Spillers is alleged to be the oldest record store in the world. Not only will you find vinyl LPs but exclusive album signings and live music sessions.

Top Local Cardiff Removal Firms

Luckily some great removal companies can help you with your home move to Cardiff.

Finding top-rated local removal companies to move you to Cardiff is an important step to experiencing a stress-free home move.

It is vitally important to choose your removal company wisely as all removal firms are not equal, unfortunately.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The Ultimate Sep-by-Step Guide. In this guide, we take you through the process of how to choose the best removal company for your particular home move.

No doubt you will have many more questions regarding your home move, so be sure to visit our resources section where you will find a wealth of useful information to make your home move to Cardiff easier, cheaper, and safer.

We hope this has given you some useful information that makes your decision about moving to Cardiff just a bit easier.