Moving to Newport

Written by Martha Lott

18th May 2023 (Last updated on 3rd Jan 2024) 5 minute read

An Overview of Newport

A picturesque city situated on the river Usk, Newport has become an increasingly desirable place to live in recent years. Adzuna ranked the city the third best place to live in the UK in its 2019 survey. The £100 million development of the Friars Walk shopping centre, the scrapping of the Severn Bridge toll and affordable house prices are some of the biggest factors.

Being strategically located between Cardiff and Bristol, Newport has a far lower cost of living than either. What’s more, villages like Caerleon and Rhiwderin offer a country style of living whilst being within easy reach of the city and transport links. Such facts make Newport a growing prospect for budget buyers and younger families with children.

House Prices

Although it is the third most populated city in Wales, Newport’s house prices remain below the national average. According to Zoopla, the average property price for Newport in the last 12 months was £227,875. The average house price listed by Adzuna in 2019 was £184,978, indicating a rising popularity for property purchases in the area.

The central districts mostly feature 2 to 3-bed terraced housing. Newly developed flats also recently entered the market along the riverside. The average price for a terraced house and flat in Newport are £178,618 and £117,392 respectively.

Semi-detached and detached houses are mostly located in the suburbs and surrounding villages. Typical prices range between £200,000 and £250,000 for a 3-bedroom semi-detached house.

Renting

Newport has more competitively-priced rental rates than either of its two closest cities - Bristol and Cardiff. According to Adzuna, Newport still scored well as the 5th best location for renting in the UK.

Working against the average earnings calculated in the same survey, renters were estimated to spend only 19.6% of their annual income on rent. Keytek calculated in a 2022 article that the typical Newport home would cost £641 per month to rent without bills.

Schools and Education

Newport has a good pass rate against the Welsh average, with 76.3% scoring between A* and C in their A levels (national average 74.3%).

The University of South Wales is the only university in Newport. Concurrently, students of Cardiff or Bristol Universities can commute to either city within 30 minutes via train.

Families with younger children will find excellent schools in nearby villages, with locations of note including Caerleon, Usk and Rhiwderin.

Work and Salary

Newport ranked lower in the ‘People per vacancy’ category in 2019, with an average of 4 people found against every job vacancy in the area. According to labour market statistics, the mean areas of employment in Newport include social care, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and administration.

However, the proximity and ease of travel to both Cardiff and Bristol open up a far bigger pool of jobs to apply for - many of them with higher salaries. Those with cars can also commute further afield, with Newport being within easy driving distance of the M4.

The average salary for a Newport resident was calculated at £36,580, demonstrating a wealth of job opportunities both in and around the city.

Transport

Nestled only 12 miles northeast of Cardiff, Newport shares accessible transport links to the Welsh capital. A train to Cardiff Central only takes 15 minutes, with driving taking between 20 and 30 minutes - though this can take longer during commuting hours.

To the east, Bristol is also closely situated just over the Severn Bridge. The toll for entering Wales via this route was recently scrapped, making commuting via car much more reasonable. If taking the train, Newport can access both Bristol Parkway and Temple Meads with a quick 30-minute journey.

Anyone driving further afield will find easy links to both Wales and Southwest thanks to the M4. The M4/M5 junction before Bristol also grants access to the likes of Gloucester, Cheltenham and Weston-Super-Mare. A-roads also provide connectivity to towns like Cwmbran, Bridgend and Chepstow.

For flying, Cardiff airport will be the easiest to reach via the M4, though Bristol Airport is also within an hour’s drive. Those who need a wider range of destinations can reach most of London’s main airports via the M4 corridor.

Entertainment

The biggest attraction is the Friars Gate shopping complex in Newport city centre. This complex features a wide selection of restaurants, cafes, shops and a bowling alley. Friars Gate connects to the high street, which further bolsters entertainment options with plenty of shops, bars and clubs.

The Newport Food Market is a particular area to highlight. In this communal eating area, customers can request food from a wide array of food stalls to be delivered directly to their table via an app. This gives all patrons access to vastly diverse cuisines - including Mexican, Japanese and Asian - as well as dessert bars, coffee shops and cocktails.

Fans of live entertainment can watch performances and exhibitions in the Riverfront Arts Centre. Live music can also be enjoyed in the summer in areas like Belle Vue Park, Beechwood Park and Rodney Parade.

For sports, rugby fans can see games at Rodney Parade, the city stadium. This site is also host to football games between local teams and kids clubs. Bordering the M4 you’ll also find the Celtic Manor Resort, which features a golf course and spa.

Crime

Against the national average, Newport currently has a crime rating of 118%. The city saw a 13.4% increase in crime year-on-year between 2022 and 2023, with violent crime rates being slightly higher than the average since 2018.

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