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The 10 Best Places to Live in the UK for Expats

From its thriving industries and world-class universities to a distinctive cultural scene and more, the UK has plenty to offer. Add in the fact that English speakers won’t struggle with a language barrier, and it’s no wonder that the UK is a favorite for expats from around the world!

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Are you planning to move to the UK? Which areas take your fancy? Your experience will differ vastly depending on where you end up. Big cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester are incredibly dynamic and exciting, whilst smaller towns and villages have their own charm. 

Don’t worry if you can’t immediately decide where you want to be. Take your time to consider practical factors to find that perfect location. In no particular order, we’ve rounded up the best places to live in the UK for you. 

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10 Best Places to Live in the UK for Expats

Composed of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the UK is a vast and diverse country with plenty to offer expats. From the capital city, London and the vibrant town of Reading to the jewel of the Yorkshire region, Leeds, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding which area to live in. 

While it would be great to simply pick a city in the UK and jet off the next day, you can’t ignore factors like job opportunities, housing options, living costs, and more. After all, many UK cities are notorious for expensive housing. The good news is that our team of experts have got you covered.

So, without further ado, here are 10 of the best places to live in the UK for expats – carefully curated to help you make the right decisions based on your needs, preference, and circumstances. If you find that the UK doesn’t quite work for you, then you can also check out our guide on the best places to live in Europe for expats

London

London, UK- A great place for expats living abroad

London is not just the capital city of the UK, but it’s a thriving global hub of finance, culture, and entertainment that attracts scores of visitors from all corners of the world. Expat professionals are particularly keen to live in this mega city for the job and business opportunities it brings. 

From the corporate headquarters towering in Canary Wharf and the touristy areas around the the South Bank of the River Thames to the hipster scene of Shoreditch, London is a city within a city. Your experience of it can be vastly different based on the area of the city you’re in.  

If you’re mainly looking to further your career, you certainly can’t go wrong with London. Salaries also tend to be higher here, but bear in mind that the bulk of it will be spent on the city’s sky-high rental prices. Cost of living here is markedly higher than the rest of the country. 

Fortuantely, you can live further out of the city. The Tube, London’s underground metro system, is very well developed. Train links connecting London to other parts of the country are also in place, which means you don’t have to technically live in London at all! 

Birmingham 

Birmingham, UK - A great place for expats living abroad

Firmly in the country’s midlands lie Birmingham, the UK’s second biggest city and a multicultural metropolis that rivals London. While it has a thriving city economy and many job opportunities, living here won’t break the bank–something that’s a major draw for expats. 

Birmingham also has an impressive heritage. As an industrial city with many red brick buildings, it has grown into a bustling mix of museums, nightlife hubs, shopping districts, and canal-side eateries. As a matter of fact, Birmingham has more kilometers of canals than Venice does!

Living in Birmingham also means you’re well connected. You can reach London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other major UK cities easily by train. And not to mention European and international destinations from its international airport. 

Whether you want to be by the canalside in the city center, or commute from somewhere a bit more rural and idyllic like Cannock Chase or Malvern Hills, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to living options in and around Birmingham. 

Manchester 

Manchester, UK - A great place for expats living abroad

You might have heard a thing or two about Manchester’s famous football clubs, but this self-proclaimed capital of the North has a lot more to offer. Expats working in the manufacturing and media industries will be particularly happy with its exciting job opportunities.

From its Victorian town hall and sparkling waterfront developments near Salford Quays to the Peak District National Park just outside the city, Manchester is a perfect mix of old and new. Like Birmingham, it has got an industrial past that it’s trying to reinvent – with great success.

Manchester’s cultural scene is also top-notch. Whether you want to go on shopping sprees, enjoy culinary delights from around the world, or party the night away, you won’t be short of things to keep you entertained in this city. 

Now let’s talk about money. Compared to London, the cost of living in Manchester is far more reasonable. You’ll also have an easier time navigating the housing market and find something that’s suitable. 

Leeds

Leeds, UK - A great place for expats living abroad

Leeds is the largest city in the Yorkshire region. Cosmopolitan, youthful, and dynamic are just some of the words used to describe this former mill town. Young expats and families looking to be in a modern city and near the Yorkshire Dales for some much-needed greenery will love to call Leeds home. 

Situated amongst the county’s spectacular countryside, Leeds has a booming and burgeoning economy comprising a large financial and legal sector, as well as a growing tech industry and popping arts scene. It’s also home to four universities, which makes this city a magnet for young people. 

Leeds benefits from excellent transportation links, which makes traveling to and from the region a breeze.The city also has a strong commitment to financing infrastructure investment initiatives that aim to further enhance these transport links and promote  long-term economic improvements.

When it comes to housing, you’ll find a variety of distinctive urban and rural options. Choose from waterside living in regenerated areas like River Aire, youthful living in Headingley and Chapel Allerton, or venture further out to idyllic areas such as Roundhay to be surrounded by families. 

Bristol 

Bristol, UK - A great place for expats living abroad

Located in the southwest of the UK, Bristol is a port city that’s quickly becoming one of the country’s most sought-after cities for expats. The city is well-known for its start-up scene and eco-friendliness, with many beautiful urban areas that provide open spaces and fresh air.  

While the city is near some breathtaking beaches, you can still benefit from the city’s waterfronts. The floating harbor serves as the city’s central hub, enabling you to take a harbor cruise, discover the historic SS Great Britain, orexplore the waterways by canoe or kayak..

Blending its rich heritage with a contemporary lifestyle, Bristol is also ideally located for those wishing to explore the West Country, as it provides entry to a plethora of attractions, including scenic fishing villages and extensive surfing beaches.

Whether you want to live in city center neighborhoods or coastal villages and suburbs that afford more space, Bristol has plenty of housing options to choose from. Some of the standout areas include Montpelier, Clifton, and more. 

Reading 

Reading, UK - A great place for expats living abroad

Did you know that Reading is just a 20-minute train ride from central London? If you want to be within easy access to the capital, whilst enjoying green spaces and affordable housing, then this Berkshire town is for you. It’s no wonder that many expats choose to move here. 

As a modern, diverse, and vibrant town, Reading has plenty of bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, street markets, and festivals to be proud of. It has also got an inviting atmosphere and friendly locals to make any newcomer feel welcomed. 

Reading is also a major commercial hub and regional retail center. You’ll also find many British company headquarters and foreign multinational offices located here, which offers plenty of job opportunities for expats. 

With the University of Reading located here, the town is ideal for students and young professionals hoping to kick start their careers in a place that’s smaller and calmer than London. House prices are also more affordable than other towns in the region. 

Oxford

Oxford, UK - A great place for expats living abroad

Oxford is home to one of the world’s most famous universities – the University of Oxford, and attracts brilliant minds from around the world. But even if you’re not an academically-minded expat, you can benefit from this city’s job opportunities, green spaces, and easy connection to London. 

For over hundreds of years, Oxford attracted intellectuals thanks to its highly acclaimed university. Even today, thousands of tourists and visitors flock to the city to marvel at the ancient buildings and intricate halls, and take a break at one of its many intimate cafes.

Venturing west from the city and into the charming Cotswold – a favorite with expat families looking for a slice of rural English life – you’ll be greeted by picturesque rolling hills and quintessential village landscapes. 

The economy in Oxford revolves around industries like motor manufacturing, research, science, information technology, education, publishing and media. The aviation sector is another major draw and expats will find no shortage of exciting job opportunities. The only downside? Oxford is one of the least affordable cities for housing in the UK. 

Cambridge 

Cambridge, UK- A great place for expats living abroad

Cambridge is the traditional rival of Oxford. This university city, with its highly acclaimed University of Cambridge, is likewise a magnet for intellectuals. Expat professionals will fit right in. The city also has much to offer in terms of green spaces and entertainment. 

Lying along the River Cam, Cambridge is one of the UK’s greenest cities and many of its roads are pedestrianized. When it comes to things to do, don’t expect a typical university city with lots of cheap nightclubs and bars. Entertainment in Cambridge is more about cocktail bars, old fashioned pubs, and thrilling music venues designed for a good night out with friends. 

Cambridge is also the center of technology giants and software industries. Many bioscience firms such as AstraZeneca – a manufacturer of the COVID-19 vaccine, are located here – something that is a major draw factor for working professionals and career builders. 

While the city has several areas of high-density housing, finding an affordable place to live can be quite challenging. Just like Oxford, one of the sour points of living in Cambridge is that it is one of the costliest cities for housing in the UK. 

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, UK - A great place for expats living abroad

Moving on to the Scottish capital city, Edinburgh is hailed as one of the UK’s most beautiful cities. Expat families are drawn to the city because of its rich cultural heritage and arts scene. The cherry on top is that it has a relatively low crime rate and an excellent public transport system. 

Positioned over an ancient volcano, Edinburgh Castle lies at the center of the city. It’s surrounded by the historic Old Town and the classy Georgian New Town. The city is also home to many festivals covering music, theater, comedy, and art, including two world-famous festivals – the International Festival and the Fringe Festival.

Traveling from Edinbrugh to London takes a mere 5 hour train ride. The city is also well connected to other major cities in Scotland such as Glasgow and Aberdeen, and a trip to the highlands is also very much doable from Edinburgh.

When it comes to practical matters, you’ll be glad to know that Edinbrugh is fairly safe and easy to get around. You can even explore the city on foot as it’s very walkable. On the flipside, Edinburgh is relatively pricey – especially if you want to live in the center of the city and near the action.

Cardiff

Cardiff, UK - A great place for expats living abroad

The Welsh capital of Cardiff is a modern, bustling, and well connected city that’s home to thriving businesses. With its fantastic culinary scene, along with top-notch museums and art galleries, it’s not difficult to see why Cardiff is a magnet for expat professionals, entrepreneurs, and families. 

The city center revolved around Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium, an arena where the national rugby team often plays. Shopping streets spread out from here. The whole area is very compact and, coupled with its good public transport system, it’s very easy to get around. Cardiff also keeps the outdoor buff occupied as the Brecon Beacons is only a short drive north. 

Located about an hour from the English border, Cardiff has a flourishing creative industry that’s quickly becoming one of the largest employers in the area. Some of the most noteworthy dramas produced here include Torchwood, Doctor Who, and His Black Materials. As such, the city is attracting more and more individuals working in TV or film production. 

Like any capital city, the cost of living in Cardiff is relatively high. With that said, you’ll still get a run for your money if compared to other cities in England. In terms of areas to live in, you can opt for waterfront apartments in Cardiff Bay or head out to the leafy, family-friendly suburb of Pontcanna.

Conclusion

You’re clearly spoilt for choice when it comes to places to live in the UK! It’s one country where opportunities exist beyond the capital London, and there is no shortage of inviting cities, towns, and villages spread across the country. You also don’t need to worry about a language barrier. 

But, of course, no place is perfect. The UK’s high cost of living and housing prices can be a deal breaker for some. Fortunately, there are affordable options in Eastern Europe. To get a better idea of your options, check out our guide on the best places to live in Poland for expats

Now let’s talk about healthcare matters. While the UK has a comprehensive taxpayer funded healthcare system – known as the NHS, the system is notorious for its long wait times and has driven many expats to secure private health insurance. 

Finding the right health cover doesn’t need to be complicated. We offer comprehensive international health insurance solutions catered specifically to the needs of expats, and also have dedicated health insurance plans for expats living in the UK

Get in touch with us to learn more about what we do and how we can help!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it a good idea to relocate to the UK?

Relocating to the UK brings several advantages including a wealth of job opportunities, robust labor laws, and access to the rest of Europe, allowing for travel and exposure to a diverse range of cultures. Additionally, the National Health Service (NHS) and the availability of high-quality public schools that are free of charge are major attractions for many prospective residents.

What are some of the negative aspects of moving to the UK?

The cost of living in the UK – particularly in densely populated areas such as London, are quite steep. Supporting oneself on a full-time, minimum wage salary would likely be unfeasible. It would most likely require living outside of the city and having several roommates in order to make ends meet. 

In terms of cost of living, is it less expensive to reside in England or Scotland?

It’s approximately 10% cheaper to live in Scotland when compared to popular cities in England like London, Birmingham, and Manchester. In fact, it is said that living in Scotland can be up to 30% cheaper than living in the capital city, London! This significant cost saving is largely attributed to the lower housing prices. 

Which city is a better place to live, Edinburgh or London?

For those seeking a serene and picturesque location with ample hiking and walking options, Edinburgh is an excellent choice, provided the cooler weather is not a major concern. On the other hand, if your career growth is a priority and you prefer a warmer climate, London is a fantastic city to consider!

Senior Content Creator at Pacific Prime
Suphanida is a Senior Content Creator at Pacific Prime, an award-winning global health insurance and employee benefits specialist.

With over 5 years of experience in the field, Suphanida spends the majority of her day synthesizing complex pieces of insurance-related information and translating this into easy-to-understand, engaging, and effective content across a variety of media such as articles, infographics, whitepapers, videos, and more.

Suphanida is also responsible for planning and publishing three whitepapers released annually by Pacific Prime: The State of Health Insurance Report, The Cost of Health Insurance Report, and The Global Employee Benefits Trends Report. Additionally, she handles the LinkedIn profiles of Pacific Prime’s Founder and CEO, as well as Global HR Lead.

Suphanida’s strengths lie in her strong research and analytical skills, which she has gained from her BA in Politics from the University of Warwick and Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in Journalism from Aarhus University and City, University of London.

Being of Thai-Indian origin and having lived, studied, and worked in Thailand, the UK, and Denmark, Suphanida also has a unique, multicultural perspective that helps her understand the struggles of expats and globetrotters.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.
Suphanida Thakral