Yahoo News The eight most popular places to move to in Cardiff, with one getting a fifth of the total
The eight most popular places to move to in Cardiff have been revealed. According to data tracked by house moving comparison site, Compare My Move, one area of the Welsh capital got a fifth of incomers last year.
According to the house moving comparison site data, the CF postcode area which includes Cardiff, has been a popular choice for movers in recent years due to its transport links, including direct trains to London and easy access to the M4.
In 2023, Cardiff saw a significant influx of new residents, with a 46.7% increase in people moving to the city compared to 2022, according to the data. However, it wasn't just Cardiff that experienced a surge in new residents in 2023, as the entire CF area also witnessed a 77.3% increase in people relocating there from 2022 to 2023.
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Compare My Move has compiled a report detailing the most sought-after locations within the CF postcode and Cardiff itself. The site has also explored why the city has seen such an increase in newcomers in 2023, and what this could mean for 2024. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here.
The top 10 most popular places in the CF postcode area
Here are the top 10 most popular places in the CF postcode area to move to, along with the average house prices in each location:
Rank | Place | Average House Price |
1 | Cardiff | £290,383 |
2 | Bridgend | £232,999 |
3 | Barry | £226,720 |
4 | Pontypridd | £166,588 |
5 | Caerphilly | £240,641 |
6 | Penarth | £401,931 |
7 | Pontyclun | £290,105 |
8 | Merthyr Tydfil | £158,359 |
9 | Aberdare | £150,837 |
10 | Hengoed | £197,796 |
As expected, Cardiff tops the list as the most popular destination within the CF postcode. The city, which has the largest population of any city and local authority in Wales with 362,400 people calling it home in the 2021 census, is known for offering good transport links, wide range of activities, dining options, nightlife and work opportunities.
In 2023, Cardiff was also named the friendliest city in the UK by Conde Nast. While house prices in the city may be high compared to the rest of the region, according to Compare My Move, they remain relatively affordable when compared to cities like London or Bristol.
Bridgend, with a population exceeding 50,000 and easy connections to both Cardiff and Swansea, emerged as the second most popular destination within the CF postcode. According to Compare My Move, its location between Wales' two largest cities, coupled with a direct train line to London that stops at Bristol, Reading, and other major towns were likely contributes to its appeal among movers over the past year.
Barry, just a 22-minute train ride from the Welsh capital, was ranked as the third most sought-after location within the CF postcode. According to Compare My Move, the Vale of Glamorgan town is similar to Pontypridd and Caerphilly, which were also featured in the top 10, in the fact that it offers quick and convenient access to the capital without the hefty property prices associated with city living.
The top eight most popular places to move to in Cardiff
Here are the top eight most popular places in Cardiff with the primary settlements of the postcode districts, along with the percentage of movers, average house prices in each location and average rental prices in each location per week:
Rank | Postcode | Percentage of Movers | House Price | Rental Price (per week) |
1 | CF14: Whitchurch, Heath, Lisvane, Gabalfa, Llandaff North and Rhiwbina | 20.8% | £366,768 | £269 |
2 | CF5: Ely, Pentrebane, Fairwater, Canton, Llandaff and Radyr | 18.8% | £301,831 | £242 |
3 | CF24: Roath, Cathays, Adamsdown and Splott | 14.1% | £238,268 | £258 |
4 | CF11: Riverside, Grangetown, Leckwith and Pontcanna | 12.9% | £246,327 | £258 |
5 | CF23: Penylan, Llanedeyrn, Cyncoed and Pontprennau | 12.1% | £378,597 | £274 |
6 | CF10: City centre and Cardiff Bay | 9.2% | £187,131 | £258 |
7 | CF3: St Mellons and Rumney | 8.0% | £285,454 | £267 |
8 | CF15: Radyr, Creigiau and Taff's Well | 4.2% | £352,363 | N/A |
While Cardiff topped the list as the most popular destination within the CF postcode, certain areas within the city proved more attractive than others. According to Compare My Move data, 20.8% of this list is made up of people who opted for the CF14 postcode, encompassing a huge chunk of the city, including Whitchurch, Heath, Lisvane, and Rhiwbina.
The CF5 postcode, similar to CF14, is a residential area conveniently located near the M4 and A48, while still being within easy reach of the city centre. According to Compare My Move, this likely explains why Ely, Pentrebane and the rest of the CF5 postcode were the second most popular areas for people moving to Cardiff in 2023.
The postcode boasts attractions like the St Fagans National Museum of History and ample outdoor space, along with easy road access. Additionally, house prices here are nearly £65,000 cheaper than in CF14. Attracting over 14% of those relocating to Cardiff, the CF24 postcode is the top choice for movers in the city centre.
It encompasses areas such as Cathays, Adamsdown, and Splott. The CF24 area is known for its vibrant nightlife, bars, restaurants and venues such as the Student Union, which hosts a variety of gigs and activities.
According to Compare My Move, the majority of newcomers to Cardiff in 2023 hailed from either London or Bristol. Interestingly, more people moved from these cities to Cardiff than the other way around, and according to the site, the cost of living could be a significant factor in this trend.
On average, excluding rent, it costs £51 more per month to live in Bristol than in Cardiff, while London is a staggering £317 more expensive per month. On top of this, house prices in Cardiff are significantly lower than in Bristol and London. On average, properties in Cardiff are just under £94,000 cheaper than in Bristol and a staggering £421,725 less than the average house price in London.
In response to Cardiff's popularity, Dave Sayce, the founder and managing director of Compare My Move, said: "The M4 almost acts as a spectrum of cost, and the further towards London on the motorway you go, the more likely things are to cost more.
"Therefore, people living in London and Bristol are happy to move a little further down the M4 for larger savings on houses and cost of living. Over the past five years, there has been a rise in working from home or hybrid working, meaning that people don't necessarily have to live where they work. Cardiff's transport links with direct trains to both London and Bristol means that it can be easy to live in Cardiff while working in these cities."
