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Cardiff

Cardiff (capital of Wales)

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in 2011 of 3,063,456 and has a total area of 20,779 km2 (8,023 sq mi). Wales has over 1,680 miles (2,700 km) of coastline and is largely mountainous with its higher peaks in the north and central areas, including Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), its highest summit. The country lies within the North Temperate Zone and has a changeable, maritime climate.

Location of Wales (dark green) – in Europe (green & dark grey) – in the United Kingdom (green)

The Pros of Moving to Wales

Should I move to Wales? It’s time to weigh up the pros and cons of living in Wales, so in no particular order, here are our top 5 reasons to move to Wales which just might help you make that decision.

North Wales hostel accommodation | Cheap places to stay in North Wales | YHA

Top 5 Reasons to move to Wales – The Pros

National Parks are your back yard: 26% of Wales is designated as a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is almost pointless deliberating on where to live, or what type of property to live in. You will want to spend so much time outdoors exploring, that your new home will literally be a place just to lay your head after another full day of amazing activity.

It is cheaper than England: The average cost of living in Wales is considerably lower than the UK average although where you live in Wales influences by how much cheaper. The average cost of a property in Wales is £144k compared with the average UK of £216k. Weekly wages average £566.

History: From prehistoric, through Roman, Norman and every era in between and since, you will find artefacts and buildings to captivate you. There are approximately 600 castles still to be found in Wales, making it the castle capital of Europe. Wales also has 6 World Heritage sites.

Beaches: Wales has over 150 stunning beaches, offering true back to nature isolation to tourist hot spots. Whales, seals puffins, basking sharks and an abundance of birds can all be spotted along the coastline of Wales.

People: People are outnumbered by sheep3:1 in Wales but the people you do meet are considered to be friendly and welcoming to newcomers. They have a great sense of humour and generally do not take themselves too seriously.

Did you know? The All Wales Coastal Path means Wales is the only country in the world with a national walking trail that follows its entire coastline, all 870 miles of it.

Pwll Deri Sunset Pembrokeshire

Top 5 Happiest Places to Live in Wales

In a 2017 survey of more than 17,000 people by Rightmove, which asked people how happy they are with aspects of where they live, this is how they voted for the happiest places to live in Wales.

Llandrindod Wells

This town in Powys has been well known since Victorian times as a spa town, and people still come here to try the waters at the Chalybeate Spring in Rock Park. If architecture is your thing then you will have plenty to see here, with buildings from Victorian times to the era of Art Deco. There is always plenty to do, from the Victorian Week, to the Welsh motorcycle Enduro, and there is even a steampunk festival each year.

Llandudno

A traditional seaside town in North Wales, in fact, it is the largest seaside resort in Wales, complete with pier, donkey rides, and Punch and Judy. Every May bank holiday there is a Victorian Fair. What’s not to like.

Cardiff

Everything you would expect to find in a capital city including a University, as well as being a significant tourist attraction in its own right. Cardiff accounts for a third of the total population of Wales. Cardiff has better weather than the Wales average with more sunshine and less rain than elsewhere in Wales.

Did you know? The world’s oldest record store can be found in Cardiff, it is Spillers Records and was opened in 1894.

Wrexham

Wrexham is the largest town in North Wales and has an abundance of historical sites including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which is a World Heritage site. There are plenty of places to visit nearby and has excellent roads to North Wales and the North West. Here you will also find the largest open-air market in Wales, as well as many quaint shops.

Newport

Newport the city, not the town in South West Wales. A city that can be walked across in 10 minutes but has probably the best road network in Wales. Generally low housing costs and plenty of history, sporting and music venues. Close by at Crumlin is the 14 lock canal system, a great place for a family walk.

What’s it like to live in Wales? Well, nine out of ten people in Wales, interviewed by Co-Op Insurance last year, stated that they were happy with where they lived, making it the happiest place in the UK to live.

Cost of Living in Wales – City Guide

No matter where you intend to move to in the world, the cost of living will be a factor that you will want to consider. So how much does it cost to live in Wales? Here are some average figures for a couple of hotspots in beautiful Wales.

Cost of Living in Cardiff: