As the capital of Wales, Cardiff is a modern and exciting city that is seeing plenty of new residents from around the UK. It’s a modern and cosmopolitan city with a thriving nightlife. With deep rooted passion for sport and plenty to see and do. Here, we’ll dive into what it’s really like moving to Cardiff. And what to consider if you want to call this place adref… or home.
A brief history of Cardiff
Cardiff was given city status in 1905 but it didn’t become the capital of Wales until 1955. Making it one of newest as well as smallest capital cities in Europe. Cardiff has had a long and rich history though, this can be seen by its many castles. The most famous of which being Cardiff Castle which has stood proud for nearly 2,000 years. It’s now considered one of the best UK cities.
Where is Cardiff?
Cardiff sits in the county of Glamorgan, on the Bristol Channel at the mouth of the River Taff. It’s on the South coast of South Wales and is approximately 150 miles West of London.
Buying a home in Cardiff
So, how much bang for your buck can you get in Cardiff?
In 2020, the average sale price for a property in Cardiff was £271,000. Most of the properties sold were terraced houses which go for an average of £239,000. While semi-detached homes are sold for an average of £290,000. Flats are considerably cheaper, with the average sale price being in the region of £155,000.
Property prices in Cardiff are on the rise though, with prices increasing 11% from 2019 and 16% from 2018.
As with anywhere though, the property prices will differ greatly from area to are. With that in mind, here are some of the most expensive places to buy in Cardiff:
- Lisvane
- Roath (Lakeside and Penylan)
- Cyncoed
- Rhiwbina
- Heath
Here are some of the cheapest areas to buy in Cardiff:
- Ely
- Caerau
- Adamsdown
- Pentwyn
- Splott / Tremorfa
Renting a property in Cardiff
Not looking to buy just yet? Here are the average rental prices you’ll find in Cardiff:
- One bedroom property – £747 pcm
- Two bedroom property – £1,100 pcm
- Three bedroom property – £1,136 pcm
- Four bedroom property – £1,590 pcm
- Five bedroom property – £2,188 pcm
As mentioned above, you’ll find that rental prices in Cardiff do differ greatly from area to area. It’s also worth considering that rental prices in Cardiff are increasing in line with house prices. This means that the average rent rose by 11% in the last year alone. Rental price increases in Cardiff were far greater than that of Wales as a whole, this is due to the high demand of rental properties in the area.
Cost of living in Cardiff
It’s one thing knowing how much it’ll cost you to buy or rent in Cardiff, but you need to also factor in the cost of living.
Cardiff isn’t a particularly expensive place to live, however it’s also far from the cheapest. Here, you can expect to pay around £2.80 for a coffee or £3.50 for a pint of beer (quite the steal compared to London’s average of £5). A mid-ranged meal for two at a restaurant is likely to cost around £40, while a loaf of bread is £1.10.
If you’re going to be using public transport to get around the city, you can pick up a monthly travel pass for £53, while a one day bus pass costs only £3.70.
You can expect to spend £221 per month on electricity, heating and water bills for an 85m2 sized property.
Living in Cardiff
Cardiff has a lot to offer anyone thinking of moving to the city. Here, we’ll explore some of the best sights and sounds of your potential new home.
Nightlife
There’s something for everyone in Cardiff when it comes to nightlife. What’s better, the majority of the city’s nightlife is based around the centre of town, meaning you won’t have to travel too far to have a good night.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced and exciting evening, Coyote Ugly is sure to get you in the mood. If you prefer an intimate venue with some of the best live music around, Clwb Ifor Bach has you covered. From cocktail obsessed speakeasies to good old fashioned pubs, there’s something for everyone’s tastes here.
Events
We can’t talk about Cardiff without mentioning rugby. The sport is the beating heart of the city and every February / March, you’ll find the place awash with red, white and green for the Six Nations.
If you’re not a fan of rugby, fear not as there’s plenty of annual festivals to entice you. From food and wine festivals to the Welsh Proms, the Open Air Theatre Festival to Winter Wonderland, you’ll find there’s always something to do in the Welsh capital.
Art & culture
Cardiff is a city with a thriving art and culture scene. The city is host to an exhilarating music scene, as well as the largest collection of impressionist artwork in the world. Not only this but Cardiff is also home to Europe’s first immersive arts venue. Whether you’re a film and photography fan or a modern art marvel, you’ll find something to satisfy your thirst for culture here.
Public transport
Large parts of Cardiff are pedestrianised, so if you fancy taking a stroll, you’ll find plenty of the city’s best spots are within walking distance. If however, you need to use public transport, you’ll find a fast and reliable bus service which covers the city and neighbouring area.
Cardiff has a total of 20 train stations, making commuting into the city centre simple. The two main stations serving the city are Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central where you can catch trains to Manchester, Liverpool, Swansea, Bangor and more.
What’s not to like about Cardiff?
Cardiff has a lot going for it, but nowhere is perfect. Those who relocate from big cities like London or Manchester have often commented negatively about the size of Cardiff. Having said that, this is not necessarily a concern for others. It’s also worth remembering that rugby is like a religion to the residents of Cardiff, if you find yourself frustrated when an entire town grinds to a halt for the sake of a sports game, Cardiff around the Six Nations may not be for you.
Who lives in Cardiff?
Cardiff has a population of 481,082 making it the eleventh largest city in the UK. The majority of those living in Cardiff are aged between 20 – 34, with the city being popular with young families and students alike.
Typical broadband speeds in Cardiff
Cardiff has been touted as having the best broadband speed in Wales. In the city, you’ll be able to achieve an average internet speed of 25.39 up to 73.28 mbps.
Crime rates in Cardiff
Cardiff is considered in the top 5 safest cities in the UK, with a rate of 51 crimes per 1,000 people per year with the majority of crimes being bicycle theft or petty theft. This is about half the crimes found in cities like London or Newcastle.
Thinking of moving to Cardiff?
If you’re considering moving to Cardiff, you can find all of the information you need with the Move iQ property report. From local schools to property values, simply enter a postcode and have all of the data you need about an area at your fingertips.
Last Updated: May 23rd, 2022
