Not many places in the UK can lay claim to creating an international sport. But that just so happens to be the case with Rugby, which is believed to be the birthplace of the sport of the same name. What started as a small rural town has since become a thriving place to live with plenty of local amenities, from restaurants and cafes to shops and open spaces. But what’s it like living here? If you’re thinking of moving to Rugby, we’ve got everything you need to know with this guide.
A brief history of Rugby
Many historians state that the game of Rugby was invented at the Rugby school in 1823. After tiring of the rules of football, student William Webb Ellis decided to pick up the ball and run with it. The rules and popularity of the game spread, and rugby became an international sport.
Where is Rugby
Rugby is a market town in eastern Warwickshire located in the West Midlands. It’s the second-largest town in the county and is located a little over 30 miles east-southeast from Birmingham and around 80 north miles from London. Due to its proximity and connection to London, Rugby is listed as a popular commuter town.
Moving to Rugby
Rugby has a variety of homes, from charming period properties to modern builds. Dunchurch is a popular village located just 2.5 miles from the centre of Rugby, while Clifton upon-Dunsmore is another vibrant and rural village sought after by people moving to Rugby.
Buying in Rugby
The average sold price in Rugby is £299,195, which is lower than the UK national average of £329,547. Expect to pay an average of £428,032 for a detached home, £208,63 for a terraced house and £138,862 for an apartment.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Rugby, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Rugby
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £575 per month in Rugby, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £750 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £960 per month.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Rugby, you can expect to pay higher prices to the UK national average when it comes to everyday living. A meal for one person is around £22, while a cappuccino is about £3 and a pint of milk is £1.
Utility bills, however, are considerably lower than the national average in Rugby, at around £122 per month for electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal (UK average £155). Broadband is in line with the average at about £30 per month.
Living in Rugby
Open spaces
There are more than 300 hectares of open spaces in Rugby, including green areas like Caldecott Park, Whinfield Recreation Ground and Criss Cross Park. You can also go for a stroll in Swift Valley Country Park, a local nature reserve in the Brownsover area of Rugby.
Transport links
You can take advantage of a good transport network if you’re moving to Rugby. The local train stations serve areas like Stafford-upon-Avon, Birmingham, London and Crewe. Motorists will also enjoy access to the M21, M6 and M45, as well as prominent A roads.
Shopping
Head to the centre of Rugby for local shopping, where there’s a mix of independent shops and high-street favourites. The town also has several shopping centres, such as Rugby Central, Elliot’s Field Retail Park and Junction One Retail Park. For fresh produce and household goods, visit Rugby Market, which opens every Friday and Saturday.
Eateries
You will find a mix of chain restaurants and independent eateries in Rugby serving an array of dishes. La Casa Loco specialises in traditional Mexican and Cajun cuisine, while Bacco Lounge is a multi-level, dog-friendly restaurant, cafe and lounge set in a renovated 19th-century department store.
Nightlife
Rugby’s status as a market town means there are a few places to enjoy during the evening, including Zinc, a music venue with several rooms and a capacity of 380 people. There are also a variety of local bars.
Art & culture
If you want to take in the local culture and history, visit The Rugby Art Gallery and Museum. It features contemporary and modern art exhibitions and vibrant displays from our museum collections of Roman and local social history objects.
Things to do
Draycote Water is one of the most prominent landmarks near Rugby. This 240-hectare reservoir and country park draws water from the River Leam and has a capacity of five billion gallons of water. It’s popular with cyclists, runners, windsurfers, fly fishers and boaters.
What’s not to like?
Rugby is a pleasant market town and an enjoyable residential area to call home. But if you’re after more action, it’s not the most exciting place to live and is short on historical landmarks, which can be found in many other towns and cities across the UK.
Who lives there?
Rugby has a population of more than 77,000 and a median age of 39.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 86mbps in Rugby, which is much higher than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
The overall crime rate in Rugby averages around 74 crimes per 1,000 people.
Moving to Rugby
Move iQ’s property report provides an in-depth analysis of specific properties as well as details about the local area of Rugby. If you’re thinking of moving, make sure you get one first!
Last Updated: March 11th, 2022
