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Moving to Cardiff

Adele MacGregor

Written by Reviewed by Dave Sayce

28th Jul 2020 (Last updated on 16th Feb 2024) 7 minute read

Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is the main base for Welsh media and entertainment. Living in Cardiff offers a multicultural and creative way of life with 18.3 million tourists visiting every year.

Cardiff is famous for its love of music, theatre and the vintage stores that sit inside old arcades. The scenic parks allow for an escape from city life during the days you’d rather surround yourself with nature or just take a walk with your beloved pets.

Whether you’re a student looking for exciting nightlife or a family wishing for a quiet area to call home, there is a place for everyone. To find out what the City of Cardiff can offer, our guide will take you through the best areas to live in addition to jobs, schools and activities to enjoy in the Welsh capital.

  1. Property in Cardiff
  2. Best Areas to Live in Cardiff
  3. Schools and Education in Cardiff
  4. Where to Work in Cardiff
  5. Transport Around Cardiff
  6. Entertainment in Cardiff
  7. Crime in Cardiff
  8. Moving to Cardiff with Compare My Move

Property in Cardiff

The cost of living and the cost of buying a house in Cardiff is much lower than in most capital cities, which has resulted in many people moving to Cardiff from London and other areas of the UK. However, as with most areas, prices will differ depending on the property and part of the city.

The average property price in Cardiff is currently £208,588, with the average rent at £967 pcm. The average cost for removals in Cardiff is currently £730, with August the most popular time of year to move.

Properties range from stunning large Victorian homes and terraced housing in Pontcanna and Roath, to modern apartments in Cardiff Bay and a range of Victorian and Edwardian houses in Penarth.

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Best Areas to Live in Cardiff

The area you live in can often determine how much you enjoy your new home, and choosing the area depends on what you’re looking for. Below we’ve listed the 5 best areas to live in Cardiff.

Whether you’re a young family looking to call Pontcanna home, or a young professional keen on living in Roath or Cardiff Bay, our list will help you decide where is right for you.

AreaAverage Property PriceAverage Rent (pcm)

Roath

£256,738

£930

Llandaff

£337,886

£758

Pontcanna

£343,998

£1,056

Cardiff Bay

£205,019

£988

Penarth

£330,572

£821

1. Roath

Roath is a diverse and multicultural suburb making it one of the best places to live in Cardiff. Roath Park and Lake offer picturesque walks right outside your home. It is the ideal place for foodies and creatives and is home to Zero Waste store Ripple - perfect for those looking for a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. The average price for property in this area is £256,738.

2 . Llandaff

For those looking for a quieter place to live in Cardiff, Llandaff, the birthplace of Roald Dahl is the perfect choice. It is filled with quaint and historic homes, medieval buildings and unique cafes and shops. The average cost for a home in this area is £337,886. Llandaff is often a great choice for families as the schools, both English and Welsh language, are conveniently placed within the vicinity.

3. Pontcanna

One of the most fashionable areas to live in Cardiff, Pontcanna has amenities that attract most home buyers. Chapter Arts Centre and King’s Road Courtyard offers live music, art and entertainment and Canton high street is close by. Close to the stunning Sophia Gardens, the current property price for this popular area is £343,998.

4. Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay is a great area for food, entertainment, leisure and even employment. With the Wales Millennium Centre, The Senedd (home of the National Assembly for Wales), Techniquest, the quaint Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay has much to offer. The local train station offers freedom to explore the city centre, with trains arriving almost every 12 minutes. On average, the price of a property in this area is £205,019.

5. Penarth

If you are looking for an easy commute to Cardiff, Penarth is a place to consider. Four miles from the city centre, it is a more quiet and scenic area with easy access to bus routes, train stations and even an Aquabus. Penarth is perfect for families, retirees or young professionals who want to live further from the main city. Homes largely consist of Victorian and Edwardian buildings,with the average house price at £330,572.

Schools and Education in Cardiff

The city has a selection of high performing schools for all ages. The city boasts numerous well-regarded state secondary and over 30 primary schools to choose from. It is worth noting that wherever you are in Wales, it is compulsory for children from 5 - 16 to learn Welsh, at least as a second language.

You might even be moving to Cardiff as a student – the city is incredibly student-friendly, hosting four universities, including Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of South Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

If you’re moving to Cardiff with children, you will be looking to secure a new school place. Below we’ve listed some of the best Primary and Secondary schools in the city:

Best Primary Schools in Cardiff

Primary SchoolLocationAgeEstyn Rating

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Cardiff

3-11

Good

Marlborough Primary School

Cardiff

3-11

Good

St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School

Grangetown, Cardiff

4-11

Good

Ninian Park Primary School

Cardiff

3-11

Good

Ysgol Gynradd Gwaelod-y-Garth

Cardiff

3-11

Good


Best Secondary Schools in Cardiff

Secondary SchoolLanguageAreaAge% of 5+ GSCE A*-C

Cardiff High School

English

Cardiff

11-18

90.3%

Bishop Of Llandaff

English

Cardiff

11-18

84.6%

Stanwell School

English

Penarth

11-18

84%

Ysgol Gyfun Cymraeg Glantaf

Welsh

Cardiff

11-18

77.2%

Ysgol Gyfun Cymraeg Plasmawr

Welsh

Cardiff

11-18

72.6%

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Where to Work in Cardiff

The average salary for Cardiff is currently £27,000 per annum. Creative jobs are popular in Cardiff – the city is the UK’s largest media centre outside of London, home to BBC Wales, S4C and ITV Wales. Independent production is also a growing industry, employing an estimated 6000 people, and contributing £350 million to the local economy.

Tourism is a flourishing industry in Wales, and Cardiff accounts for £1 billion of the £5.8 billion spent in the country by tourists. Cardiff has also developed into a hub for professional and financial services, and has attracted £62 million in foreign investments.

Transport Around Cardiff

Getting around the city is relatively easy, and using public transport is encouraged. Most areas within the city centre are accessible on foot or on bike via the Next bike scheme, but if you want to venture outwards, Cardiff Bus is the main transport provider.

Cardiff Central Station is the largest station in Wales. Trains operate regularly, with direct services to Newport (10 minutes) and Bristol (40 minutes). Queen Street Station operates services that connect the city with Cardiff suburbs and the valleys.

Entertainment in Cardiff

Cardiff might be a small capital city, but it offers a huge number of indoor and outdoor activities for all age groups with a variety of interests.

For an educational but fun day out, the museum is suitable for adults and children alike. The museum draws visitors from all over the world, so once you have moved into your new home, make sure to pay a visit! It features art collections including works by Renoir, Degas and Welsh-born Kyffin Williams, natural history, archaeology and geology. Entry to the museum is free.

The Wales Millennium Centre is ideal for a date night or family night out, hosting critically acclaimed concerts and performances, and is home to a number of cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy.

Cardiff has a very lively nightlife, from St Mary’s Street and Greyfriars Road for an array of nightclubs, to the independent live music and craft beer found on Womanby Street. There is also a great choice of local and international cuisines found mostly on City Road in Roath and Cowbridge Road East in Canton, in addition to various areas of Cathays.

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Crime in Cardiff

Cardiff is a relatively safe city, especially compared with bigger cities in the UK. However, according to crime statistics from June 2019 - May 2020, violent crime made up 29% of all crimes in the area, with 33.2k crimes reported. This number has decreased 0.5% when compared to year-on-year figures.

Following violent crime, anti-social behaviour makes up the second largest amount of crime reported in the city, at 25.6%. However, year-on-year figures show “Burglary Crime” has decreased by 17.3%, Vehicle crime by 11.9% and robbery by 7.3%.

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Adele MacGregor

Having worked at Compare My Move for over five years, Adele specialises in covering a range of surveying topics.

Dave Sayce

Reviewed by Dave Sayce

Owner & Managing Director, Compare My Move

Dave Sayce is the owner and managing director of Compare My Move and has over 10 years of experience in the house removals industry.

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