Moving to a new area or city can be a daunting prospect. It may be hard to know where the best areas are, how you will commute to work and whether you will make new friends. Thinking about schools and activities for your children can add to the mental load. While many people think “Cardiff” when they are thinking about moving to Wales, there are other towns and cities which offer an excellent quality of life – here are three cities you may not have thought of as your new home base:
Swansea
The second largest city in Wales, Swansea has a surprising community feel for a city so large. It is the sort of place where you know your neighbours and help each other. You will feel right at home from the minute you move in.
Swansea is on the coast with a much loved yacht club and it’s own beaches – and some are even dog-friendly for those with fluffy family members! The main stretch is limited but Swansea Bay from the slip opposite Victoria Park to the beach access at Sketty Lane is dog friendly all year round.
Swansea Bay is home to the Gower Peninsula which was the first place in Britain to be named an Area of Outstanding Beauty. Rhossili Bay Beach’s golden sands are constantly on lists of the world’s best beaches and people of all ages will love it. For little legs, Caswell Bay has all the amenities you could need.
While some of Gower’s beaches do not allow dogs from April to September, dog lovers will be pleased to know the iconic Three Cliffs Bay, Oxwich Bay and Pwll Du beach are just a few of the Gower beaches which are dog friendly all year round.
Newport
Newport can be described as a compact city as you can walk from end to end in 10 minutes! However, there are plenty of things to capture your attention and imagination on that short walk, so it may take a lot longer. For budding historians, the National Roman Legion Museum is a short drive from the city centre and will provide hours of fun.
This small city offers the perfect mix of both urban and rural living with the added benefit of great transportation links. If you are working in Bristol, your commute from Newport would only be around half an hour, making it easy to get home and spend time with your family.
When it comes to housing in Newport, the average house price was £223,000 and rent was around £761. There are plenty of beautiful houses in Newport and you even have the choice of some stunning new build homes.
Bangor
You may not know that Bangor is the oldest city in Wales, and is known for it’s vibrant and exciting culture.
Set in North Wales, not far from the breathtakingly beautiful Snowdonia National Park, living here would suit families who love to explore the great outdoors. For something a bit closer to home, the Bangor Circular Walk is a short, hour-long walk which shows off the natural beauty as well as some points of interest.
For families with older children or people who work in education, Bangor University is located in the city and offers a range of courses and opportunities. Working or studying here would be perfect for people who want to be close to home.