10 of the Best UK Cities to Immigrate To

Want to move to the UK, but can’t decide which city to call home? This list will help you make that all-important decision.

Immigrating to the UK from another country is a huge step, and one you want to make sure you get right. Once you’ve sought the help of an immigration lawyer to help you with the strict laws on how to immigrate to the UK, it’s time to make that all-important decision of location.

In this post, we’re going to look at the best cities to immigrate to in the UK and explain why you should consider living there. Take a look…

What Are the 10 Best Cities to Immigrate to in the UK?

So, you’ve decided that the UK is the country for you, but you don’t know which city to move to. To help you make your decision, here is our list of the top 10 UK cities which are ideal for any soon-to-be immigrants:

1. Bristol 

Bristol is a beautiful port city that has access to the coast for holidays, and an international airport so you can easily travel back home to see family once you’re there. The city has often been described as a mini-London due to its high level of business opportunities. It’s also been ranked 2nd place in the start-up cities index in 2017.

Overall, Bristol has managed to mix its heritage with the modern business world, giving it a broad, dynamic culture.

2. Cardiff 

If you have your heart set on Wales, look no further than its capital city, Cardiff. There are lots of jobs in the services sector if you want to work here, but if you fancy working in London or the South West, they’re only a few hours away.

Cardiff is also one of the most affordable big cities to live in, with cost of living a whopping 38 percent cheaper than in London. You get a lot for your money too, with shopping streets spreading out from Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, and loads of outdoor activities. 

3. Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, and has reinvented itself more than any other over the last couple of decades. The city has a large student population, friendly locals and excellent dining, shopping and partying. 

The city centre has a mixture of modern and traditional homes, has a small metro system for getting around, and is surrounded by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. If you’re looking for work, Glasgow provides over 400,000 jobs, with one in four people working in the public sector. 

4. Manchester

Known as the ‘Capital of the North’, Manchester has everything you could want from a capital city like London, but with more personality and friendlier residents. No matter what you’re into, Manchester has it all with world-beating football teams, a storied musical heritage, and a rich industrial history to explore.

In terms of employment, Manchester is home to Media City, a large Finance sector, and a manufacturing sector that employs 1 in 10 people who live there. Cost of living is 30 percent cheaper than London and slightly cheaper than its close rival Birmingham. 

5. York

If you’re planning to immigrate to the UK with children, York has a thriving education sector with over 90 percent of children attending either a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ schools. This keeps unemployment low, and adds many skilled employees to its workforce. 

Its expanding business services sector has made the second-best place in the UK for employment, with popular brands such as Nestle and Aviva working out of the city. Oh, and it has the ‘fastest internet in Britain’ – enough said. 

6. Oxford

Speaking of cities with great education, Oxford is the home to Oxford University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. As such, it provides great opportunities for teachers and other academic professionals.

If you’re not into teaching, Oxford also provides around 114,000 jobs, with companies such as BMW, Oxfam, BT, Mini and many more. With over 40,000 students living in the city, there are always events, comedy, art and vibrant nightlife to enjoy, as well as parks and green spaces.

7. Brighton

Brighton is a city unlike any other. It’s small enough to feel like a village, is on the seafront, and is packed with sights to see. From the streets of bohemian North Laine to the regency homes on the North Front, there’s always somewhere to go.

This city isn’t just a pretty face, it has oodles of employment opportunities in the fields of trade, hospitality, business and industry. It’s even close to Gatwick airport, one of the primary airports in the UK, so you can easily fly home to see family, or holiday abroad.

8. Reading

When you choose to immigrate to the UK, it’s easy to overlook Reading under the weight of all the great cities mentioned so far. That said, it’s worth considering.

It has a flourishing IT sector with top companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco working out of it. Also, with it being a university city like Oxford, it has vibrant nightlife with clubs, bars and restaurants, and hosts the Reading festival for 90,000 visitors each year. 

Actually, if you move to Reading and decide it’s not for you, it’s close enough to Oxford and London that you can escape and visit them whenever you want.

9. Edinburgh

If you have your heart set on Scotland, and Glasgow doesn’t tickle your fancy, Edinburgh could be your saving grace. Back in 2018, Edinburgh was awarded the title of “Most attractive city to Live and Work in the UK”. This was based on its education options, employment potential, healthcare, and the second highest weekly wage for workers after London. 

You’ll also be astounded by the city’s beauty, with Edinburgh Castle perched high on a rocky outcrop in its centre. Surrounding the Castle is the Old Town and Georgian New Town, with plenty of affordable neighbourhoods outside it within easy access.

10. Southampton

Our final city to immigrate to in the UK is the famous port town of Southampton. The reason the town is so famous is because it’s home to the port the Titanic set sail from in 1912. It’s also home to several museums, including SeaCity, the Tudor House and Solent Sky.

Sailing and water sports are abundant here, and is only a stone’s throw away from the Isle of Wight by sea. With over 30,000 students studying at Southampton’s two universities, the town has many skilled worker opportunities and a diverse culture. 

Ready to Immigrate to the UK?

In this post, we’ve shared our top 10 cities to immigrate to in the UK, so you have an idea of where you can live when you move here. 

Hopefully, these cities have given you a taste of what the UK is like, and you have narrowed down your favourites to research further. Good luck with the move and enjoy yourself no matter where you choose!