Living in Cardiff

The capital of Wales is a cosmopolitan, diverse city with a wealth of amenities, sporting and cultural attractions. People move to Cardiff for its vibrant nightlife, the quality of its schools and its diverse, welcoming neighbourhoods. 

Find out more about living in Cardiff with our area guide.

History of the area

The town of Cardiff grew up around the castle, built by William I in 1081. The town was almost destroyed by the Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr in 1404, and in 1648 was the site of the last major battle in Wales, at St Fagans, during the English Civil War. There was a huge growth in Cardiff’s importance, wealth and population after the opening of Cardiff Docks in the 1830s. Cardiff quickly became the main port for the burgeoning South Wales coal industry. City status came early in the 20^th century, and Cardiff became the capital city of Wales in 1955, as many Welsh national institutions made Cardiff their home. The National Assembly for Wales (Senedd) has been located in Cardiff since 1999.

The property market

There is a strong property market in Cardiff, as you might expect from a city so popular with families, young professionals and students alike. The leafy areas of Roath and Pontcanna are lined with attractive period properties, independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, while the close-knit communities of Grangetown and Llandaff make them perfect for young families. The average price of properties in Cardiff is almost the same as the national average for England and Wales, but there are always bargains to be found.

New build homes

There are plenty of new build properties available for sale in and around Cardiff, with a mixture of riverside, urban and rural living. From the Parc Llandaf development of luxury town houses near the River Taff, to Central Quay’s waterfront apartments in the heart of the city, it’s an exciting time for new builds in Cardiff.  

First-time buyers

First-time buyers in Cardiff can take advantage of schemes like Cardiff Living, a partnership between Cardiff Council and Wales Residential, providing affordable quality homes in community developments. Shared equity properties are also available with First Homes Cardiff on a number of developments around the city.

Schools and education

Cardiff is home to a variety of schools, catering to students from primary school through to high school and beyond. Top primary schools in the city include St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Marlborough Primary School and St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School. For secondary education, Cardiff High School, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf and St. Teilo’s Church in Wales High School offer students a range of opportunities. The city is also known for its excellent universities, including its namesake, Cardiff University along with Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of Wales.

Transport links

The capital city benefits from excellent transport links. With 20 railway stations and several more bus routes dotted across the city, trips locally and further afield are effortless. Cardiff also has a variety of walking and cycling routes. For drivers, the M4 connects residents to major cities including Newport, Swansea, Bristol and even London in just over three hours. On top of this, Cardiff airport opens up international travelling options.

Lifestyle and leisure

Places to see

From coast to culture and sport, Cardiff will keep you busy! For green space, head to Bute Park, with its stunning arboretum, gardens, cafés and nature trails. Roath Park is dominated by the lake and stunning Scott Memorial Lighthouse, and also features a wild garden and botanic garden. Cardiff Bay is full of the city’s most notable buildings – including the Pierhead, the Millennium Centre (for the best in theatre, opera and musicals), and the Senedd (Welsh Parliament), which you can tour for free. Rugby is a religion in Wales, and Cardiff truly comes alive when Wales are playing at the Principality Stadium, right in the heart of the city. If you can’t get a ticket to a game, why not scale the stadium roof and take in Cardiff’s breathtaking skyline?

Things to do

Cardiff is a compact city packed with big energy and things to do. Visit Cardiff Castle to explore 2000 years of Welsh history, or stroll through St Fagans National Museum of History – one of Europe’s leading open-air museums. Not many museums have a 50m high zip wire, but this one does! Browse the modern shopping district or discover unique finds in the Victorian arcades and markets. Families will enjoy an afternoon of exploration at the Techniquest Science Centre, while nights are best spent at one of the city’s many theatres, cinemas, comedy clubs, and music venues.

Where to eat

You’ll get a warm Welsh welcome wherever you decide to eat in Cardiff, from Michelin-stars to pizza joints and tapas bars. Try Heaney’s in the Canton area for perfectly crafted tasting dishes; its brunch by day and cocktails by night at Milkwood, a family-run café, restaurant and bar in Pontcanna, while the City Road in Roath is known as Cardiff’s ‘International Food Mile’ – full of restaurants serving every kind of global cuisine.

The surrounding area

You don’t have to go far from Cardiff to discover breathtaking scenery, including the natural beauty of the Blaenau Gwent valley and the Gower peninsula. The Gower is a stunning area of award-winning beaches, dramatic coastline and picturesque villages, just over an hour’s drive away. The South Wales valleys are rich in history and industrial heritage, from the former mining towns of Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd, to Caerphilly Castle, the biggest castle in Wales. For adrenaline fans there are zip line adventures galore over the former coal mining landscape at Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Thinking of living in Cardiff?

Let us know! We have a wide range of stunning homes available to buy and rent in and around Cardiff. Give us a call on 029 22 338551 or 029 2022 5551, email albany.road@darlows.co.uk or canton@darlows.co.uk, or come in and visit us at our Albany Road or Canton branches.