Moving to Cardiff - Everything you need to know

Whether you are moving to Cardiff because you have been offered a new job or you have just accepted a place in one of Cardiff's many universities it's useful to know what you can expect in the Welsh capital.  In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about moving to Cardiff.

Cost of housing

If you haven't purchased a home in Cardiff yet or you're thinking of renting a property before committing fully to Cardiff then here are some of the costs you can expect in 2023.

On average you can expect to pay around £294,338 for a home in Cardiff according to right move.  A terraced property in Cardiff on average sold for £264,048 where as semi-detached properties cost more at £325,063.

If your budget doesn't stretch that far, a one-bedroom flat in Cardiff can be purchased for £164,782.  If you are looking to purchase a home in Cardiff, you should know that house prices have increased in the last few years and this year are up 5% compared to last year.

Areas of Cardiff

Cardiff is split up into many suburbs and depending on where you move to will affect the cost of rent or the price of your home.  Some of the main areas in Cardiff that you may want to consider include:

• Adamsdown
• Canton
• Grangetown
• Leckwith
• Llandaff
• Cyncoed
• Cathays
• Llanishen
• Radyr
• Roath

When moving to Cardiff you should take time to research each area as they will all offer a different experience.  Suburbs in Cardiff such as Cyncoed, Llandaf and Lisvane are usually more expensive and properties in these areas are generally larger than other areas in Cardiff.

Roath on the other hand is close to the centre of Cardiff, it has a diverse population and Roath park is a beautiful location to visit.

Cost of living

Cardiff is an affordable city to live in and was voted one of the most affordable cities for students while at university.  Rent in Cardiff is lower than in most major cities.  Cardiff rent is 26% lower than rent in Bristol.  Cardiff rent is 60% lower than rental properties in London.  If you are moving from London to Cardiff you can expect to save on everyday living.

Transportation Costs

Getting around Cardiff is easy due to the public transport options available.  Cardiff buses are frequent, affordable and reliable.  Cardiff trains are ok, they can be expensive and we have found them to cancel their services when events are on in the city.

Cardiff also has Uber operating within the city so you can get a cab with ease, just beware they do tend to increase the prices when events are on in the city and a taxi from Cardiff centre to Cardiff bay can cost upwards of £13.

Flying from Cardiff

Cardiff airport is roughly 12 miles from the centre of Cardiff and offers flights all around the world.  While Cardiff airport doesn't have as many flights as neighbouring airports such as Bristol you can still fly to multiple locations from Cardiff Airport.

Generally, flights from Cardiff are more expensive than flying from Bristol airport but if the convenience of flying from your doorstep is more important than saving a few pounds then Cardiff airport can be a great choice.  Cardiff airport can be accessed via Cardiff busses, taxi or car.

Cardiff airport destinations include:

• Lapland
• Dublin
• Belfast
• Edinburgh
• Amsterdam
• Milan

And many more, for a full list of destinations visit Cardiff Airport Destinations.

Benefits of living in Cardiff

Cardiff is an affordable city to live in with excellent public transport links, affordable housing and job opportunities.  It's also an affordable place for students to study while at university.  Cardiff has a good nightlife and enough entertainment options to keep the entire family entertained.

If you want a rest from city life you can also enjoy the greenery that Cardiff has to offer.  Cardiff has many parks and open green spaces that make living in Cardiff a pleasant experience.

Life in Cardiff

While Cardiff is the capital of Wales and over 485,000 people live here, it isn't as busy as some of the other major cities in the UK.  Moving to Cardiff is a good option for those who like city life but also want to be a part of the hustle and bustle that you often associate with cities like London.

Cardiff has good nightlife, good restaurants and bars and there's always something going on whether it's the latest Disney on Ice production or a Rugby match in the Principality stadium you are never too far away from the entertainment.

Attractions in Cardiff

Cardiff has many attractions that will keep you and your family busy.  Attractions such as St Fagans National Museum, Cardiff Castle, National Museum of Cardiff, Bute Park, Castell Coch, Roath Park and Llandaff Cathedral are all worth a visit.

You may also want to visit Cardiff bay where there are plenty of restaurants and attractions such as Techniquest that you can visit too.  During the summer there are boat trips from the bay which can take you to other places in Cardiff.

Shops in Cardiff

For those who like to shop, there are many retail parks and well-known shops in Cardiff.  The city centre is filled with household names such as John Lewis, Joe Malone, Urban Outfitters, Primark, House of Fraser and many more.

St Davids shopping centre has nearly every shop you can think of, but beware as it can become very busy at Christmas and finding parking can be difficult.

Schools and Universities

There are many primary and secondary schools in Cardiff making it a great place to move to if you have a family.  Students also move to Cardiff because of its many universities.  Schools in Cardiff Include:

• Adamsdown Primary School
• Albany Primary School
• All Saints CW Primary School
• Allensbank Primary School
• Baden Powell Primary School
• Birchgrove Primary School
• Bishop Childs CW Primary School
• Bryn Celyn Primary School
• Bryn Deri Primary School
• Bishop of Llandaff CW High School
• Cantonian High School
• Cardiff High School
• Cardiff West Community High School
• Cathays High School

Universities in Cardiff include:

• Cardiff University
• Cardiff Metropolitan University
• Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
• University of Wales

Making your move easier

Moving to Cardiff alone or with your family may seem like a difficult experience but you should now have a better idea if Cardiff is the place for you.

Moving can be a difficult task, but some things can be done to make moving to Cardiff Easier.  At Pink Storage, we offer storage in Cardiff to help make your move a little easier.

Moving can be a stressful experience, but by using self storage you can minimise the stress by moving your furniture bit by bit so you don't have to rush when it comes to moving day.

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