What is the first thing that springs to your mind when thinking about living in England? Is it the rolling hills of the beautiful countryside or world-famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace? In this article, we cover the six major cities in England: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Bristol. Each of them has its own unique advantages and culture and if you’re wondering which city to choose for your relocation, hopefully this article will help you decide.

London

‍About London

The city is known for its vibrant and diverse culture. It is home to numerous museums, art galleries, and theatres, including the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery and the National Theatre. The city is also famous for its music scene, with many famous bands and musicians hailing from London, including Queen, The Rolling Stones and Adele. London is also one of the four world capitals of fashion, together with Milan, Paris and New York. 

London is also famous for its iconic landmarks, which are recognised all over the world – Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral. Within London, we can also find a number of world-class universities such as King’s College London or University College London. 

In terms of public transportation, London is known for its extensive transportation network, which includes the London Underground as well as buses, trains, and taxis, making it easy to get around.

London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and renting is no exception. In the first quarter of 2023, the average rent in London has risen to over £2,500 per month, and is predicted to rise due to an unmet demand for rental properties. It is very competitive to find a rental property in London – get in touch with Repit and let us sort it out for you!

Advantages and disadvantages of living in London

Advantages:

• Job opportunities: London is home to many large corporations, start-ups, and small businesses – it’s one of the most important financial centres in the world, home to the London Stock Exchange as well as one of the top 5 tech hubs in the world. Due to the increased cost of living and generally the pressure of life and high expectations, many sectors such as finance or law pay their London staff higher salaries in comparison to their regional counterparts. 
• Public transportation: London has a comprehensive public transportation system, including the iconic Tube, which makes it easy to get around the city.
• Cultural activities: London is known for its world-class museums, galleries, theatres, and music venues, making it a great city for cultural activities.
• Easy international travel access: London has a number of airports around the city as well as international rail services and the south coast is within a short commute for those wanting to experience travel by ferries.

‍Disadvantages:

• High cost of living: The cost of living in London is one of the highest in the world, and this extends to the cost of renting.
• Competition for housing: With a high demand for housing, renters in London face stiff competition for the limited supply of rental units.
• Crowded and busy: London is a bustling city, which can make it feel crowded and overwhelming for some people, especially around big sporting or cultural events.
• Tourists: Millions of people visit London every year – so popular attractions are usually very crowded.

Find out more about London and what’s on by visiting this website. 

Repit will help you with all your renting needs – get in touch today!

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Birmingham

About Birmingham

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK, located in the West Midlands region of England. The city is known for its role in the Industrial Revolution as it is often referred to as the ‘workshop of the world’. The city was a major centre for metalworking, including the manufacture of guns, buttons, buckles, and jewellery which continues to this day.

Birmingham boasts a great canal network across the city and the region, which, although in the past used for industrial purposes, now are used for recreation where people can enjoy boat trips, go for walks or visit one of many cafes located on the canal banks. 

Although not as famous as London’s museums, Birmingham has a rich cultural scene, with a number of museums, galleries, and theatres such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Birmingham’s Symphony Hall is one of the finest concert halls in the country. The city also hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, including the Birmingham International Jazz Festival and the Frankfurt Christmas Market.

‍Advantages and disadvantages of Birmingham

Advantages:

• Affordability: Compared to London, Birmingham has a lower cost of living, including the cost of renting.
• Job opportunities: Birmingham is home to many large corporations and has a growing tech industry, which creates job opportunities.
• Green spaces: Birmingham has many parks and green spaces, which make it a great city for outdoor activities.
• Plenty going on: Birmingham is less busy than London but still offers a plethora of activities and events as well as a number of great cafes, restaurants and bars.

Disadvantages:

• Limited public transportation: While Birmingham has a public transportation system, it is not as comprehensive as London's, which can make it challenging to get around the city.
• Urban sprawl: Birmingham is a sprawling city, which can make it feel less cohesive than other cities in our article.
• Traffic and parking: Since public transportation is limited and Birmingham as a city sprawls across a substantial piece of land, cars are the main mode of transportation which causes a lot of traffic which then affects air quality in the city. 

Find out more about Birmingham by visiting this website. 

Repit is your rental needs best friend – If you need help with your renting needs, let us know and we will sort it for you! 

Leeds

About Leeds‍

Leeds is a city located in West Yorkshire, England. In terms of culture, the Leeds Art Gallery is home to an extensive collection of 20th century British art, while the Leeds City Museum features exhibits on the city's history and culture. The West Yorkshire Playhouse is a major theatre venue, hosting a variety of productions throughout the year. The O2 Academy Leeds is a popular venue, featuring both established and up-and-coming artists. The city also hosts several music festivals throughout the year, including the Leeds Festival and the Live at Leeds Festival.

Leeds is also home to several universities, including the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, and Leeds Trinity University. As the universities have a strong academic reputation, plenty of international students come to Leeds each year, making it a multicultural and interesting place to be and meet people from all around the world. 

Leeds has a strong economy and is a major centre for business and finance in the UK, as well as the fastest growing legal sectors in the country (behind London) – offering plenty of job opportunities in the region. 

‍Advantages and disadvantages of living in Leeds

Advantages:

• Student-friendly: Leeds is home to several universities, making it a great city for students.
• Vibrant nightlife: Leeds has a lively nightlife scene with many bars, clubs, and restaurants.
• Nature: Leeds is situated in a close proximity to the Yorkshire Dales and the Yorkshire Coast, which is ideal for outdoors lovers.

Disadvantages:‍

• High cost of living: Leeds is an expensive city to live in, especially for renters in the strict city centre (where majority of the built-to-rent properties are located). 
• Limited public transportation: While Leeds has a public transportation system including buses and trains, it is not as comprehensive as London, Manchester or Bristol and the people in the city rely heavily on cars.
• Weather: Due to Leeds being in the North of England, the weather is a bit more unpredictable than cities in the south of the island. 

If you want to find out more about Leeds, visit this website. 

Repit will sort all your renting needs for you, no matter the location – get in touch today.

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Manchester

About Manchester

Manchester is a city in the north-west of England and was once the epicentre of the Industrial Revolution and played a crucial role in the development of modern industry. The city is known for its cotton mills and canals, which were vital to the transportation of goods during the 19th century. Today, Manchester is a major commercial and financial centre, with a diverse range of industries, including media, science, law and technology. 

Manchester is probably most famous for its two world-known football clubs: Manchester United and Manchester City. For those who are a bit less keen on the English Game, Manchester has a rich musical heritage and is famous for the 'Madchester' music scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bands like Oasis, The Stone Roses, and The Happy Mondays all emerged from the city. Manchester also has a thriving live music scene, with venues like the Manchester Arena hosting major international artists.

In terms of culture, Manchester has a number of museums and galleries, which are dedicated to art, science, and history. The Manchester Museum houses a collection of more than 4.5 million items, including dinosaur skeletons and Egyptian artefacts. The Whitworth Art Gallery is home to a collection of more than 55,000 pieces of art, including works by Picasso, Van Gogh and Warhol.

‍Advantages and disadvantages of living in Manchester

Advantages:

• Job opportunities: like Birmingham, Manchester is home to many large corporations, start-ups, and small businesses, making it a hub for job opportunities. Manchester’s economic area is the second largest in England, after London. 
• Cultural activities: Manchester has a thriving cultural scene, including many museums, galleries, theatres, and music venues.
• Public transportation: Manchester has a comprehensive public transportation system, including trams and buses, which makes it easy to get around the city.
• Nature: Peak District and Cheshire are just a short drive away from Manchester, making it ideal for short trips to the countryside. 
• Airport: Manchester Airport is one of the major airports in the UK, making it a great hub for international travel. 

Disadvantages:

• Cost of living: While Manchester is more affordable than London, the cost of living is still high and rising due to Manchester’s appealing outlet attracting people to come to the city. 
• Lower salaries: whilst Manchester’s job market is thriving, the salaries are considerably lower than in London whilst the cost of living is on the rise. 
• Competition for housing: Like other major cities, Manchester has a high demand for housing, which can make it challenging for renters to find affordable and desirable flats.
• Weather: due to its geographical location, Manchester is known for its rainy weather, which may not be ideal for some renters.

If you want to find out more about Manchester, visit this website. 

Repit is here for all your renting needs – get in touch and we will assist you with the renting process across the UK.

Sheffield

About Sheffield

Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire and is known for its rich industrial heritage, music scene, and outdoor activities. Sheffield is often referred to as the ‘Steel City’ due to its steel industry heritage dating back centuries and the invention of stainless steel. Today, Sheffield is still home to a number of steelworks and is a hub for advanced manufacturing.

However, Sheffield is probably best known for its proximity to the Peak District National Park, which is a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing, and cycling. The city itself also has a number of parks and green spaces, making it the greenest city in England, with more trees per person than in any other city in Europe. 

Sheffield has a thriving music scene and has produced a number of successful bands and musicians over the years, including Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, and Def Leppard. Culture:

Sheffield has a rich cultural heritage and is home to a number of museums and galleries, including the Millennium Gallery and the Graves Art Gallery as well as the Kelham Island Museum where you can see the biggest still working steam engine in the world. 

Sheffield is also home to two universities, Hallam University and the University of Sheffield – attracting many students from England as well as from around the globe. Consequently, making Sheffield a vibrant nightlife city. 

‍Advantages and disadvantage of Sheffield

Advantages:

• Green spaces: Sheffield is known for its parks and green spaces, including the Peak District National Park, which makes it a great city for outdoor activities.
• Affordability: Compared to some other major cities, Sheffield has the lowest cost of living, including the cost of renting.
• Student-friendly: With two universities, Sheffield is a great city for students, offering affordable housing and a vibrant social scene.

Disadvantages:

• Limited job opportunities: While Sheffield has some job opportunities, it does not offer as many options as larger cities like Manchester or Leeds.
• Limited public transportation: While Sheffield has a public transportation system which includes buses, trams and trains, the system is not as efficient and the majority of the city relies on cars.
• Biggest village feel: Sheffield has a very tiny city centre, but quite developed suburbs – which has resulted in it being nicknamed the biggest village in England due to its suburban layout. 

If you want to find out more about Sheffield and what the city has to offer, visit this website. 

Repit is an expert in property search – get in touch and we will sort all your renting needs.

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Bristol

About Bristol

Bristol is a city in the southwest of England. Bristol has a rich maritime history and played an important role in the development of the British Empire due to its geographical location. The most famous cultural places in Bristol are the Bristol Old Vic and the Arnolfini. The city also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and the Bristol Harbour Festival. The world-famous street artist Banksy is from Bristol. 

Bristol is known for its food and drink scene and is home to a number of independent restaurants, cafes, and bars. The city is particularly known for its cider, and there are a number of cider houses and breweries in the area.

Bristol is closely associated with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a famous engineer who designed a number of important structures in the city, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain. The city is home to a number of Brunel-related attractions, including the Brunel Museum and the Brunel Walking Tour.

Bristol is also known for its parks and green spaces, including Brandon Hill, Castle Park, and Ashton Court Estate. The city also has a number of cycle paths and walking trails, making it easy to explore on foot or by bike.

‍Advantages and disadvantages of Bristol

Advantages:

• Creative and cultural scene: Bristol has a thriving creative and cultural scene, including many art galleries, theatres, and music venues.
• Public transportation: Bristol has a comprehensive public transportation system, including buses and ferries, which makes it easy to get around the city.
• Green spaces: Bristol is home to several parks and green spaces, including the Downs and the Ashton Court Estate.

Disadvantages:

• Cost of living: Bristol has a higher cost of living compared to other cities in England, including the cost of renting.
• Competition for housing: With a high demand for housing, renters in Bristol face stiff competition for the limited supply of rental units.
• Traffic: Bristol is known for its traffic congestion, which can make it challenging to get around the city during peak hours.

If you want to find out more about Bristol, visit this website. 

Repit is a rental property expert and our mission is to make your rental process quick, efficient and affordable – get in touch today to find out more.

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Each of the cities discussed in this article has its own unique advantages and culture and if you’re wondering which city to choose for your relocation, hopefully this article and the linked resources have helped you decide.

Repit is a relocation and rental property specialist – sign up via our website to gain access to a dashboard where you can track your renting process, properties and remaining points to action to successfully rent in the UK. If you have any questions, get in touch and we will be happy to help.