England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are four individual countries that together comprise the United Kingdom. Each has its own heritage, modern national identity, and unique landscapes to roam and explore. With a combined population of more than 70 million people, the UK has many notable cities from its consolidated nations, not forgetting the capital and most famous city of all, London.
While London is something of a law unto itself in size, importance, and popularity, there are many other options for city living in the UK, some of which offer a lifestyle that London cannot. From the beautiful hills of Somerset to the Atlantic coast dotting Derry, these are some of the best cities to live in across the UK.
Glasgow
Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow has a distinctly unique appeal and identity that couldn’t be further from the country’s historic capital, Edinburgh. Although always a prominent city, Glasgow experienced a significant decline during the 1960s until a cultural revival in the 1990s, and the subsequent boom in development at the start of the new millennium brought in a new era. Today, major renewal works and gentrification, along the city’s famous waterfront, have seen Glasgow shed its industrial reputation and become a prize place to live thanks to its high quality of life.
The Merchant City, as well as the West and East Ends, are all fantastic areas with a stunning range of heritage properties from the classic Georgian and Edwardian period styles of architecture. The Campsie Fells outside the city, offer a welcome escape into nature, particularly on warm summer days for hiking. Connected by a metro system, boasting a distinctively open and inclusive city culture, and with constant work to improve the quality of life, Glasgow is very much a modern locale that continues to grow in popularity.
Liverpool
Famous around the world as a city that is bursting with culture, only London has more parks and green spaces, museums, music and art venues than Liverpool. In many ways, Liverpool has been a worthy candidate for “second city” status in the UK thanks to its highly developed urban area. Boasting an impressive local transport network, as well as fast mainline connections to neighbouring cities like Manchester, and London, as well as flight and ferry connections to other parts of the country, the city is a major centre for activity in the northwest of the UK.
A cultural hotbed within the UK, music lovers can visit legendary Liverpool landmarks like The Cavern Club and The Beatles Story celebrating the life and success of the city’s most famous band. Significant industrial areas like the Albert and Bramley Moore docks, have been rejuvenated into major leisure hubs within the city and, in the case of the latter, repurposed for the city’s greatest pass time as the ground of Everton football club. Few cities in the UK have football so deeply embedded into their identity as Liverpool and the rivalry between Everton and Liverpool is an enthralling part of the city’s unique culture.
Brighton
Just an hour on the train from Central London, Brighton has become one of the most desirable cities to live in the UK thanks to its seaside location, diverse and inclusive community, and fantastic property market. Originally a Victorian pleasure town, the city is ideal for commuters to the capital, with fantastic transport links and connections to other major cities on the south coast such as Chichester and Portsmouth. Brighton has thrived for decades thanks to its creative scene and built a reputation as a haven for artists of all types.
With multiple stunning residences from the Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian periods, movers have no shortage of options from stunning townhouses to characterful apartments, as well as more modern developments, particularly in Hove, the east side. Outside the city limits, residents can explore the gorgeous South Downs, filled with rolling green hills, winding rivers, and dozens of vineyards. The area is now certified for wine production (quite a feat considering the industry is only 20 or so years old) and with the added appeal of scenic walks, and major historical sites nearby such as Bignor Roman Villa and Arundel Castle, there is no shortage of things to do.
Cardiff
The capital city of Wales is known as a very welcoming place to live thanks to the friendly reputation of the Welsh people. Proud and patriotic, the Welsh are deeply passionate, especially when it comes to international rugby played at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. The city fills with the singing voices of supporters from all around the country and is one of the biggest highlights of living in Cardiff, as they gather from across the country to rally behind their national team. Naturally, this warmth makes its way into the everyday lives of the city’s residents and is embolic of the spirit of the city itself.
The city centre is quite compact, with Cardiff Castle at its heart and surrounded by shops, restaurants, and green spaces like Bute Park. Cardiff Bay, once an industrial dock, was rejuvenated into a popular waterfront with multiple restaurants and retail outlets, as well as hosting the Wales Millennium Centre for performances and concerts. Both the city centre and Cardiff Bay abound in modern developments while areas like Pontcanna and Roath offer spacious Victorian houses with leafy green streets and quieter living. Well connected to the rest of Wales and England by both road and rail, Cardiff is an attractive place with a unique culture to embrace as part of living there.
Derry
Derry, also known as Londonderry, is a city in Northern Ireland easily identified by its well-preserved 17th-century walls that completely encircle the old town. The walls are an apt metaphor for a city that has known many conflicts and struggles throughout history. Popularised in recent times by the prominent comedy series Derry Girls – which inspired a mural of its main characters on the side of Badgers Bar and Restaurant – other notable landmarks include The Guildhall, a striking neo-Gothic building with stained glass windows, St Columb’s Cathedral and the Peace Bridge. Outside the city, the Causeway Coast and the beaches of Donegal are among the more natural highlights of the area and ideal for exploring on the weekends.
The Waterside area, located on the east bank of the Foyle, is known for its quiet residential streets, good schools, and greenspaces such as St Columb’s Park. Other areas like Culmere, have larger homes with stunning views of the river and access to coastal walks along Lough Foyle. Foyle Springs and Ballymagroarty are well-established areas with a mix of housing options between period and more modern properties. Derry has well-developed transport links, with a train service connecting to Belfast whilst the road network provides easy access to the rest of Northern Ireland and, into County Donegal, the Republic of Ireland.
The UK is a diverse canvas of both places and people. Across all four nations, these cities showcase exactly why it is such a desirable home for many individuals. From the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the stunning Sussex coast, these cities are among the very best that the UK has to offer.
