Cardiff, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
#632
51.481654, -3.179193
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, known for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 362,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed is around 70 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 GBP ≈ 1.26 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Revolut, Monzo, and local banks like Lloyds and NatWest |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local estate agencies, and long-term rentals via websites like Rightmove |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local property management services |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as YHA Cardiff Central and Hostel Cymru offer budget-friendly stays |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Tramshed Tech - a creative coworking space located in an old tram depot. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Revolution Bar - a popular spot with good Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups hosted by Tech Wales and Cardiff Business Club. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Expats in Cardiff' and community events at the Welsh Centre for International Affairs. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Gett operate in Cardiff. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Available through services like Nextbike. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Barry Island, approximately a 30-minute drive from Cardiff. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Flybe operates regional flights from Cardiff Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | British Airways and Ryanair offer international flights from Cardiff Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | M4 motorway provides access to major cities such as London and Bristol. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Cardiff Central Station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Transport for Wales offers day passes and discounts for regular travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services connect Cardiff to nearby cities like Swansea and Newport. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | University Hospital of Wales, providing comprehensive medical care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga in the City and The Flow Yoga in Cardiff offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | The Gym Group and PureGym provide affordable fitness options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat services available at Cardiff Wash & Dry and other local laundries. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Uber Eats are popular choices for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Cawl, a traditional Welsh stew. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Wahaca and Anna Loka are great options for plant-based lovers. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Pudding Pantry is known for its sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Cardiff Central Market offers a variety of affordable food options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and eBay are widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Cardiff Bay and the City Centre are vibrant nightlife spots. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brains Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Pipe & Cleaver is a popular choice for wine enthusiasts. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Cardiff Street Food Night Market offers diverse street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Cardiff has a variety of international restaurants, including Italian and Indian. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Cardiff Castle and the Wales Millennium Centre are essential attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | National Museum Cardiff showcases art and history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | St. John’s Church and Cardiff Bay have rich histories. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Cardiff Cathedral is a key religious site in the city. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Cardiff Festival and Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival are great to attend. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Cardiff’s City Centre is buzzing with culture, shopping, and dining. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Sherman Theatre and the New Theatre offer various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Cardiff Central Market features local produce and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Cardiff is known for live music at venues like Clwb Ifor Bach. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Grangetown and Butetown areas showcase impressive street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Lemons & Limes Cooking School offers classes for all levels. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | G39 is a prominent contemporary art gallery. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Pierhead Building is a beautiful historical site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Red Dragon is a symbol of Welsh heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Bute Park and the Taff Trail offer lovely outdoor spaces. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Brecon Beacons National Park is just an hour away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Taff Trail provides both cycling and walking paths along the river. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from Caerphilly Mountain is stunning. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Cardiff Wetlands is excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Coedcae Park has designated areas for bonfire. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Royal Mail provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | PC World and local repair shops can handle most tech issues. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club Cardiff offers dedicated playing spots. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Wales School of Languages offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Cardiff Central Library is a great place to study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Grangetown Community Hub hosts various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Replay Gaming Lounge offers gaming and social events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Grosvenor Casino offers games and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = £180,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = £128,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = £240,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = £168,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = £280,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = £176,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 19% in the UK |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% for UK residents |
| 🏦 Tax System | Based on worldwide income, progressive tax rates apply. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% (on income over £150,000) |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 20% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, UK has CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on assessed property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp Duty Land Tax ranges from 0% to 12% based on property price. |