More and more people should move to
Leeds. This may not be a popular sentiment since London tends to be the best city in the UK for relocation, but this place is worth checking out too! The British capital is not the end-all and be-all in the country. Leeds, for instance, is also a major metropolis with lots to see, do, and even eat. For the uninformed, Leeds is as much a business hub, an art haven, and a foodie's paradise as London is. It's fairly easy for anyone and everyone to relocate here and start a new, exciting life.
It's a Great Starting Point for The North
As one of the major cities in the North of England, Leeds is a great starting point to explore this fascinating part of the country. Northern England has some of the most prominent cities in the UK, including Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, and more. While Leeds is known for its art and commerce, Liverpool is beloved for its music history (specifically, the birthplace of The Beatles), Sheffield is proud of its industrial origins, and Manchester is considered the 'Capital of the North.' It's easy enough to travel to any or all of these places from Leeds.
It's a Major Business Hub
Work is usually one of the main reasons for relocation, and Leeds is right at the top of that. Not only is it one of the country's biggest metropolises, but it's also one of the
best cities to find work in the UK. It's one of North England's major business hubs, boasting a low 3.5% unemployment rate and even a 5.1% salary growth rate. It also helps that several industries thrive here, including finance, engineering, construction, manufacturing, printing, textiles, the food industry, and the arts.
It Boasts Prestigious Schools
There's not enough credit given to the
best schools in Leeds. Right off the bat, there's the prestigious University of Leeds, the city's main higher educational institution. The school has consistently ranked among the top 10 in the UK over the years, specifically for research. And that's saying something considering that same list also includes the likes of Cambridge and Oxford! Whether you're a student yourself or you have kids to raise, you'll find that Leeds has more than enough prominent schools to help with your scholastic needs.
It's Far Less Crowded than London
Leeds may be one of the biggest cities in the UK, but it's nowhere near as crowded as
London. The British capital has a whopping 8.9 million in its population, while Leeds only has about 812,000. The difference is so stark that you could hardly believe that Leeds is an actual metropolis. But it is, and if you want to live in a big city without having to contend with overpopulation, moving to Leeds is your next best bet. It still gets busy here, but it's not as hectic as London!
It's Still Cosmopolitan
Since it is a big city, Leeds is also fairly cosmopolitan. The City Centre, for instance, is just as grand and glamorous as London. It may not boast such chic districts as SoHo and Chelsea, but there's still great shopping, trendy restaurants, and other hip hotspots. It's easy to brush Leeds off as a provincial city since it is in Yorkshire, which is widely considered the countryside. The metropolis itself, however, is just as bustling as ever. You can still live the typical big city life in Leeds as you would in London.
It's an Underrated Shopping Destination
Another thing Leeds doesn't have enough credit for is its shopping. Sure, it may not be at the level of London, Paris, New York City, and the like, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to buy here. On the contrary, Leeds boasts many grand shopping arcades, malls, and more that are just as glamorous as those in the fashion capitals. There's the Victoria Quarter, for instance, which is an elegant Victorian-style shopping arcade filled with designer brands. The iconic Harvey Nichols also has a store here, and is always a favorite among the high-end shoppers in the city.
It's an Artistic City
Did you know that Leeds is an artistic city? You'd be surprised at how much art is intrinsic to this metropolis, almost in the same vein as London and Paris! For one thing, the city has amazing galleries, both in the city centre and beyond. The former has the much-beloved Leeds Art Gallery, a fabulous mix of classic and contemporary works. There's also Temple Newsam, a
grand English mansion that houses a treasure trove of centuries-old artworks and antiques. The building itself, a Tudor Jacobean home, is also a magnificent sight to see in its own right.
It's a Haven for Cricket and Rugby Fans
While the rest of the UK can have football, Leeds is a bona fide pilgrimage for cricket and rugby fans. Headingley Stadium is center stage for those two sports. Located in the
neighborhood in Leeds of the same name, the facility is home to both the Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the Leeds Rhinos. It has even hosted countless national and international matches, drawing in both local and foreign sports fans alike. Living in Leeds will allow you to watch as many of these games live!
It's Perfect for Families
Since it offers the best of both worlds, Leeds truly is a perfect city for families. Sure, it's a big city, but all the urban madness is concentrated in the city centre. The rest of the area is mostly suburban, including provincial-like villages and small towns that are largely residential.
Moving to Leeds with your entire family will let you work in a major business hub while living and raising your kids in a typical, quiet suburb. What's not to love?
It's Close to the Countryside
The
English countryside is a vast expanse of lush greenery, enchanting woodlands, storybook-like meadows, and more. Who wouldn't want to live near such a paradise? Leeds may be one of the UK's biggest and busiest cities, but it's also still in Yorkshire. It won't take you long to get out of the city centre and reach the more provincial towns and natural wonders that North England is known for. Some of these places, like the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which is only 20 miles north of Leeds, look straight out of a Beatrix Potter picture book.
More and more people are relocating to Leeds, making it a worthwhile consideration for a move there as well. The city is a major business hub, an artistic metropolis, and is even close to the countryside. What more could you ask for?
