What Is Living In Cardiff Like? A Guide To Cardiff

Last Updated November 2022

Cardiff is the largest city and capital of Wales In 75 AD the Romans built a fort, which is where the famous Cardiff Castle stands today. Cardiff is located in the South of Wales and boasts the iconic Cardiff Bay and marina on the Bristol Channel.

The fastest route to Cardiff from London is via the M4 which will take you 2.5 to 3.5hrs via car during quiet hours.

Here is everything you need to know about Cardiff, use the list to jump between the relevant sections!

Is Cardiff a Nice Place to Live?

The Independent reported in March 2019 that Cardiff made number 8 in the top 10 happiest places to live in Wales according to the Royal Mail UK Happiness Index. “Cardiff is a great city if you love nature. There are lots of parks, mountains to the north, the coast to the south, and castles all around.” These are the words of Helia Phonenix a Cardiff born blogger writing for The Guardian.

She also mentions how cheap the city is to live in, especially it being a capital in comparison to London which is around 3 hours away which may be why Cardiff was also voted the most sociable city in the UK. However, she does warn potential new residents that the roads and rush hour can become grid locked and become a risk to cyclists as well as advice to avoid the centre after dark unless wild hen and stag dos is your thing!

What Is the Population of Cardiff

In the 2021 census it was reported that there were 484,591 residents living in Cardiff. Cardiff’s population has risen dramatically since the 1970’s and it is estimated it has a population density of 6,400 people per square mile.

Alternatively, why not live somewhere a little smaller and with a smaller population, like Merthyr Tydfil with a population of 58,800. Why not read our Merthyr Tydfil area guide to find out more?

Is Cardiff a Safe City?

There were roughly between 1,200 to 1,500 reports of crime each month in central Cardiff according to UK Crime Stats. Taking the lead of reported crime each month was violence and sexual offences which peaked in September 2022 with 362 incidents reported. Robbery, weapons and theft from the person all came in pretty low in the number of reported crimes over the last few months also.

Average House Prices in Cardiff

The average house cost over the past year for Cardiff is around £286,349. The following shows the average property cost in Cardiff:

House Pricing by Property Type

Detached- £485,277

Semi-detached- £311,462

Terraced-£261,612

Flats- £162,080

Renting in Cardiff

The following shows how much a rental property costs in Cardiff:

Room – £1,234

Flat – £1,383

House – £1,583

Average Property Rental Cost Per Room (PCM):

1 bed –  £1,077

2 beds – £1,332

3 beds – £1,464

4 beds – £1,555

What are the best neighbourhoods in Cardiff

There are many desirable neighbourhoods to live in, in Cardiff with the locals describing it to have a village like feel about the place. Take a look at these three great neighbourhoods below to begin your search!

Penylan

Penylan is a great neighbourhood for families to relocate to due to the number of schools, parks and community spirit in the area. Take the kids for an ice cream at Roath Park Ice Cream Kiosk as a treat after school or tire them out to feed the ducks around the lake. Prices start around £250,000 for a three bed home in Penylan, Cardiff.

Cyncoed

Cyncoed is one of the most affluent areas in Cardiff. It is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods residing in Cardiff as it boasts great views of the mountains beyond in the north and is located on the northern end of Roath park. There currently are 3 bedroom homes costing from as £160,000 on Rightmove.

Llandaff

Llandaff is located in the north western part of Cardiff city and resides along the River Taff. Llandaff is perfect for those wanting to relocate to the quiet suburbs of the city but still want to be part of an active community with the local pubs and independent shops. Three bedrooms homes start from £180,000 in Llandaff, Cardiff.

What is the Transport like in Cardiff

Cardiff is very easy to explore as it isn’t a large city at only 140.3km²! Take a look at your options below:

Cardiff by Foot

Many areas around Cardiff city centre have become pedestrianised including the main shopping areas and the waterfront area of Cardiff Bay which are a leisurely 15 minute stroll away from one another. For the avid walkers we recommend you take the Taff Trail, a 60 mile trek from Cardiff Bay all the way to the Beacon.

Cardiff by Bus

Cardiff is run between three buses to cover the local area between Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly, Tongwynlais and the Valleys. Take a look Traveline Cymru to plan your route!

Cardiff by Train

There are 20 railway stations in Cardiff, transporting you between the Valleys, Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central.

Cardiff by Bike

Cycling in Cardiff is easy as the city is so flat and compact but do be careful around rush hour. Take a look at Keeping Cardiff Moving for more information.

Cardiff by Water Bus

If you’re in Cardiff for a few days viewing Cardiff by the sea is a great way to get out and explore from a different point of view as the boat takes you along Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay.

Closest Airport to Cardiff

Bristol Airport is just 44km from Cardiff central and will take you just over an hour to reach the airport by taking the M4 onto the M49 and along the A roads to reach your destination. To reach Bristol Airport via train it will take you around an hour and a half currently.

What are the Schools like in Cardiff?

Welsh schools can either be taught in Welsh, English or are Bilingual. Schools in Wales are monitored by a colour coded system that is in place to help support and improve the schools across the country. The schools are divided into four categories, green, yellow, amber and red. The schools that are green needing the least support from outside bodies and red needing the most, a school in the green category will receive up to four days of additional support and a school in the red category will receive up to 25 days of additional support. The colour coded system may benefit you and your family if you are moving in or around Wales.

Notable primary schools in Cardiff include St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Marlborough Primary School and St. Patrick’s Primary School. For secondary schools take a look at the Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales School, Cardiff High School and Fitzalan High School.

University in Cardiff

There are two universities within Cardiff including, Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Cardiff University

Cardiff University pride themselves on fulfilling not just Wales but the world with their social, cultural and economic obligations which are driven by creativity and curiosity. Out of their 30,000 odd students 84% of them were satisfied with their university choice and 95.7% of graduates either entered employment or further education shortly after graduating. There are many courses available at Cardiff University including Business, Music, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Maths, Dentistry, Engineering, Medicine and Law!

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff Metropolitan University has routes dating back to 1865 and has recently achieved The Times Welsh University of the Year in their Good University Guide 2021, leaping up 33 places in comparison to last year! Study anything from the arts, education, management, sport and technology here.

Eating and Drinking in Cardiff

Top three restaurants in Cardiff

1. De Courceys Manor

With 442 5* reviews and a Travellers Choice Award 2020 it’s easy to see why people have voted this restaurant as their favourite in Cardiff. The British/ Welsh menu offers you the opportunity to dine a la carte or enjoy a Sunday roast of which all the reviewers rave about!

2. I Giardini di Sorrento Italian Restaurant

The head chef Gianni is from the Sorrentine Peninsula and ensures each of his homemade dishes delight the taste buds with authentic Italian food as the recipes have been handed down through generations. There are 729 5* reviews currently and we can’t wait to try it out!

3. Cafe Du Chat Noir Ltd

This French restaurant serves up lots of traditional French dishes, light bites and delicious deserts too. Customers rave about the intimate, quirky area.

Top three rated pubs and bars in Cardiff

1. Elevens Bar & Grill

A lively sports bar in the middle of Cardiff city centre. This is the place to be if you love football, beer and pub grub in a stylish setting so you can really enjoy your time here.

2. Mocka Lounge Cardiff

If award winning cocktails are your beverage of choice then head down to the Mocka Lounge. If you enjoy luxury you will fit right in, off work early for the weekend? Grab your friends for some light bites and cocktails to start your weekend!

3. Gin and Juice

Gin and Juice offer their customers all day eating and drinking from their healthy get going breakfasts, tasty lunches and light dinners paired with over 200 gins! If gin isn’t your thing then take a sip of their delightful juices or Arabica coffees!

Shopping in Cardiff

If you’re heading to Cardiff to go shopping then you will definitely need to spend the whole day doing so as Cardiff has plenty of shopping options. With over 150 shops, restaurants, cafes and places of entertainment St. David’s Dewi Sant is Cardiff’s biggest shopping centre. Queens Arcade is another shopping centre for you to explore which is located in the heart of the city centre and if you are after something unique check out the Bone Yard which is full of independent retailers.

What are the Best Hotels in Cardiff

These are the top three rated hotels in Cardiff according to TripAdvisor:

1. Hotel Indigo Cardiff

With 747 4.5* reviews on TripAdvisor Hotel Indigo have managed to secure the top spot! They have designed their boutique bedrooms to reflect Welsh heritage by embodying local art and natural materials. This is the perfect place to rest your head after wondering around the castle as it is located just a stone’s throw away.

2. New House Country Hotel

This hotel is located on the very edge of Cardiff, nestled in the Welsh hills. Open fires, a welcoming restaurant and unrivalled views over Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

3. Lincoln House Private Hotel

Retaining its original 1900s features Lincoln House bedrooms which are all individually decorated, it is also close to the city centre and has won a Travellers Choice 2020!

Top 10 Things to do in Cardiff

1. Cardiff Castle
2. Cardiff Bay
3. Caerphilly Castle
4. Wales Millennium Centre
5. Principality Stadium
6. Roath Park
7. National Museum Cardiff
8. Castle Coch
9. Fagans National Museum of History
10. Techniquest

Need a Locksmith in Cardiff

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Cardiff Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek® Locksmiths Cardiff provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! If you’re considering improving the security of your home further still, checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek® Locksmiths Cardiff page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 029 2167 6546!