There's more to the UK than just London! Because the British capital is so huge and has such a diverse population, it's easy to think that this city represents most of Great Britain. It does not! The country has a lot more fascinating cities you can look forward to. One, in particular, is
Leeds. You'd be surprised at how easy yet exciting it is to stay here. It's a mix of British urban lifestyle with the English countryside. What a combination, right? Sounds good enough for you to relocate here, doesn't it? Don't worry! Moving to Leeds can be challenging but it's not impossible. This relocation guide can help you out!
Why Move to Leeds?
The best reason is already in the introduction! Leeds is a combination of a British urban lifestyle and the
English countryside. You have the best of both worlds here. You can live out a cosmopolitan life and work hard to earn a nice living, but at the same time, the vibe is a lot more chill and even has faints of a rural charm too. When everything else gets too much, lush fields and open meadows are just a hop and a skip away.
At the same time. Leeds has become known as a huge hub for arts and culture. It's the only British city apart from London that has its own Opera and Ballet company. You'll also find tons of art galleries, theater halls, and the like. Any creative moving to Leeds can flourish here.
Why is Leeds a Good Place to Live?
Leeds is a big city that's not as busy as
London. Though it still gets its fair share of hustle and bustle, it's a lot less hectic than the British capital. This alone makes it a great place for you to live. You can still enjoy the metropolis and all its many facilities while enjoying the peace of the English countryside. Leeds itself is not a rural place, but it's in the northern English county of Yorkshire, it’s still technically in the countryside.
Overview of Leeds
Leeds is among the biggest cities in the UK. It currently has a population of over 790,000 residents, making it the second most populous district of the UK, right after London. It's located in West Yorkshire and has all four seasons. The city's hottest month is August, which has an average temperature of 15°C (59°F). Its coldest month, on the other hand, is January, which has an average temperature of 3°C (37°F).
Where is Leeds, UK?
As mentioned previously, Leeds is in the northern English county of Yorkshire of England. Specifically, West Yorkshire. It's right smack in the middle of the country is fairly near London.
What to Do in Leeds, UK?
There's a lot you can
do in Leeds, even if it's just for a day. See Temple Newsam House, for example, which is a grand Tudor-style English manor that looks straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Shop at The Corn Exchange too, which houses a ton of amazing boutiques ranging from high-street brands to vintage clothing stores. And if you're more of an outdoorsy person, you can always go hiking at the Rodley Nature Reserve. It'll be an adventure you won't ever forget!
What is Leeds Known For?
Leeds is famous for a lot of things. Some of these include:
- The second-most populated city in the UK after London.
- The only other English city to have its own Opera and Ballet company
- A major creative hub.
- This was where the fizzy drink was created.
- The city's Middleton Railway Station is the world's oldest working railway system.
- Beloved novelist Charles Dickens famously hated Leeds.
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Getting Around Leeds
Public transport in Leeds is alive and well. There are multiple ways to get around the city, including taking the metro, riding the bus, or even cycling. Since the River Aire flows through Leeds, the city also offers water taxis as another option for public transport. So wherever you need to go, there's always a way to reach your destination. And if you buy the Day Saver card, you can access all of these modes of public transportation more easily. The card only costs £5.00 and will serve as your ticket to the entire city.
How to Get Around Leeds
Leeds has a metro system, buses, rental bikes, taxis, water taxis, and more. These are the various ways you can get around the city. When all else fails, however, you can always use a
transportation app to get to where you need to be. Popular ride-hailing apps Uber, Lyft, Didi, and more operate in Leeds, making for another option for people to get around when they don't have their own cars.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Rept0n1x
Where to Live in Leeds
If you're moving to Leeds, one of the first things you ought to do is choose where to live. As already mentioned, the place is one of the busiest metropolises in all of Yorkshire, not to mention one of the UK’s largest cities. There are many
neighborhoods in Leeds, each more different than the next. You have to take into account who you're with (by yourself, with family, or roommates) as well as the lifestyle you want to lead.
Where to Stay in Leeds
The best neighborhood in Leeds for you depends on what you're looking for. If you want to stay at the center of all the action and live out a metropolitan lifestyle, the Leeds City Centre is the place for you. If you're moving to Leeds with your entire family, you'd do well to settle down in Holbeck or Horsforth. Both districts are largely residential and serve as the suburbs of the big British city. And if you want a slice of the English countryside, stay at Otley. It's a relatively rural place that almost feels a world away from the rest of Leeds.
Where to Live in Leeds as a Young Professional
If you're moving to Leeds as a young professional, you'd do well to rent an apartment in the Leeds City Centre. There's a good chance your workplace is here too, which will make it easier for you to go to work every day.
Where Do Students Live in Leeds?
You'll find most international students living in either Hyde Park or Headingley. These areas offer student housing for the nearby universities. They're also trendy districts where youthful energy pulsates at every bar and cafe around the corner.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Leeds Living Costs
Once you've chosen a neighborhood to call home, you'll then have to keep up with the
living costs in Leeds. The good news is Leeds is far more affordable than London and any other major city. Don't be fooled by its cosmopolitan appeal! The cost of living in Leeds isn't all that high. A good example is rent. The common rental fees here typically range from £600.00 to £1,700.00 per month. Not bad, right? It's practically a miracle that a place that rents for less than £1,000.00 exists! That alone should tell you just how affordable Leeds is!
Cost of Living in Leeds, UK
So what exactly is the cost of living in Leeds? According to
Numbeo, a single adult typically spends around £762.30 per month, on top of rent. A family of four, on the other hand, usually spends around £2,611.00, on top of rent. And since you already know that the common rental fees in Leeds aren't that high, this should give you a clearer picture as to whether you can afford to relocate to this city or not.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Employment in Leeds
Not a lot of people may know this but Leeds is a thriving financial, business, and creative hub in the UK. Although it pales in comparison to London, the city can hold its own nonetheless. It's possibly one of the main reasons it's one of the country's most populous cities. With so many companies setting up shop here and startups popping up, Leeds greatly contributes to the current stability of the
UK's job market, which is currently just 4.2%.
Leeds Employment Rate
Is it worth moving to Leeds for work? Or to
find work in the UK? It's safe to say that it is! The unemployment rate in Leeds today is 77.5%, which is higher than Yorkshire as a whole. At the same time, its unemployment rate is only 3.8%, which is among the lowest in various cities across the UK.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Leeds Education
Because Leeds is slowly becoming a major city in the UK, it's only natural that many schools here are gaining more and more prominence. If you're moving to Leeds with your entire family, you don't have to worry about your kids' education. Your children can happily continue their studies in the many
international schools in Leeds. The Leeds West Academy and Gateways School are two of Leeds' best educational institutions. And, of course, when they reach college age, they can still go to the prestigious University of Leeds too! Studying here is no problem at all!
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Leeds Healthcare
Just like in other cities in the UK, the
British Healthcare system thrives in Leeds. While you're in this city, the NHS will take good care of you. That is if you've become a legal resident of the country. Only then will you be able to get access to the public healthcare they provide. If not, you can always rely on private health coverage instead, preferably from an international provider. The ideal, however, is that you have both public coverage and private medical insurance. This ensures that you'll get access to proper medical treatment no matter what!
Leeds Healthcare Services
Getting healthcare coverage allows you to go to any of
Leeds' finest hospitals with lower, subsidized medical costs. Some of those hospitals include the Leeds General Infirmary, for example, which specializes in surgery on rarer cancers and hand transplants. There's also the Chapel Allerton Hospital, which heavily focuses on orthopedics among many others. Leeds also has its own St. Mary's Hospital, a beloved national healthcare institution known for its first-rate psychiatry wards.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Leeds Safety
Now, let's talk safety! Is Leeds a safe city to relocate to? For now, according to its crime rates, it's pretty moderate. The general
crime rate of Leeds is currently 49.32%, a pretty moderate rate on the scale. This means that, although the city is far from a crime-infested dystopia, it's also far from a safe utopia either! Most especially since the current rate of increasing crimes here is at a high 64.36%!
Is Leeds Safe?
Yes, for the most part, it is. Leeds currently enjoys a high 72.49% safety rate during the day. At night, it goes down to just 48.62%, which is still pretty moderate!
Leeds Areas to Avoid
You'd do well to avoid certain areas in Leeds for your own safety. Belle Isle is one, which is a common den for drug dealers in the city. There's also Burmantofts, where car chases happen often. If you're not careful, you might get into quite an accident in this part of town!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Mtaylor848
Leeds Taxes
Relocating to Leeds means you'll become a legal resident in the UK. And becoming a resident of the country means you have to abide by the
UK tax system too! Only if you're under the age of 18 or you're already retired will you not be required to pay taxes anymore. Other than that, as long as you live and work in the UK, or your income comes from a UK-based company, you're required to pay your fair share of taxes. The income tax rate here, as it is in many other countries, depends on how much you earn annually. However, if you only earn £12,500.00 or less per year, your income tax rate is 0%.
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Relocation Tips for Leeds
Before ending this relocation guide, here are a few relocation tips that'll help you with your move to Leeds.
- Buy a Day Save Card as soon as you get to Leeds.
- Set up a
local British bank account. If you can, do it before you get to Leeds.
- Join a
local British mobile network and get a SIM card for your phone.
- If you feel the need to, enroll in a
language school in Leeds to brush up on your English.
- Learn the various
British social customs to avoid offending the locals.
- Brush up on
British business etiquette too if you'll be working in a corporate office in Leeds.
- Memorize the route you'll be taking every day.
- Make friends and build a strong network in Leeds.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Moving to Leeds is no easy feat but it's not impossible either. If you truly want to start a new life in this fascinating city, you need to exert the effort and do the research. This relocation guide can help you with the basics!
