Ten of the Best Cities to Base Yourself in the UK

The allure of living and working in the United Kingdom, at least for a period of time, has long been hard to resist for young Aussie travellers — thanks to what is now known as the Youth Mobility Scheme.

Previously called the Working Holiday Visa, it allows Australians aged from 18 and 35 to spend up to two years (with the possibility to extend by another year) living and working in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Yes, there are pros and cons of living in Australia vs UK, but given the amazing travel opportunities, the cultural experiences on offer, and the chance to gain unparalleled professional experience along the way, who could say no to this opportunity?

And it’s not just young’uns having all the fun. Australians of any age can spend up to six months living in the United Kingdom and experiencing everything this group of four fascinating countries has to offer.

Having decided to go, your next big decision will be choosing a place to call home. Here are ten of the best cities to base yourself in the UK.

1. London

Ask anyone who has lived in London for any length of time and they’ll tell you it’s a swinging place. The nightlife is probably unparalleled anywhere on the planet, and for that reason the capital remains far and away the most popular place to live for young Aussies. However, basing yourself in London does come at a price. The cost of living is extraordinarily high, particularly for housing — and surviving on a hospitality income is no mean feat. There are ways to try and balance the books, but if you plan to live in London expect to pay a premium for the privilege.

2. Belfast

When considering possible places to live in the United Kingdom, Belfast might not be one that immediately springs to mind. It’s had more than its fair share of bad press over the decades, but things have changed for the better in the capital of Northern Ireland. This city of 350,000 people is now seen as one of Europe’s coolest travel destinations, and it’s also amongst the most cost-effective major cities in the UK to live in. Housing is relatively cheap by British standards, and many of the other essentials in life are much more affordable here than they are across the Irish Sea. And as a bonus, living in Belfast affords you the option of driving two hours’ south to fabulous Dublin as often as you choose.

3. Manchester

Australia dominates the top ten of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s most liveable cities list in 2025, so it may come as a bit of shock to discover that the UK makes its first appearance at number 54 with Manchester! But we’ll take it. Situated in North West England — just under an hour’s drive inland from Liverpool — this is the sixth largest city in Britain by population, and boasts a vibrant mix of historical attractions and contemporary cultural facilities. It also has epic nightlife (much of it centred around the Northern Quarter) and is home to one of the country’s liveliest live music scenes. And let’s not forget the Mancunians’ collective passion for football. One of the biggest challenges for an Aussie settling in Manchester is the weather. You’ll be trading in our sunny shores for grey skies and drizzle much of the time. Pack a brolly.

4. Brighton

Life’s a beach in Oz and it can be in the UK too, although the time one can spend on the sand (or pebbles as the case may be) will be dictated by the vagaries of the weather. There are fabulous seaside retreats right around Great Britain, but Brighton is our fav. One of the great things about basing yourself in this city of 300,000 people is that you can enjoy all the advantages of coastal living and still be in London in less than an hour — thanks to the wonders of fast rail. At first glance Brighton seems to be defined by its famous pleasure pier, colourful deckchairs, and fresh fish and chips, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover that there’s a lot more going on. A creative undertow and celebration of individualism are stitched into the fabric of life here, and the huge underground arts, music, and performance scene celebrates the off-beat with gusto.

5. Glasgow

No list of great places to live in the UK would be complete without one or two Scottish entries, and in years gone by Glasgow — Scotland’s biggest city and gateway to the stunning Highlands — might have been glossed over in favour of Edinburgh up the road. Times have changed and today this former heavy industrial centre is renowned as a cultural and dining mecca. Home to 620,000 people and designated a European Capital of Culture back in 1990, Glasgow hosts the prestigious Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Opera, the Scottish Ballet, and the National Theatre of Scotland (which adapts itself to a variety of performance spaces). Reputedly the birthplace of chicken tikka masala, the city’s love of a good Indian curry is legendary. Must-try Mister Singh’s India is located in the CBD and offers a delightful fusion of cultures (think kilt-wearing waiters serving haggis pakora).

6. Edinburgh

Just an hour from Glasgow by car, Edinburgh is equally attractive as a home base. The Scottish capital has a population of around 500,000 people and is repeatedly recognised as one of the UK’s most cost-effective places to live. It also ranks highly on the happiness metre, with one recent survey pegging it in the number two spot nationally (behind Brighton!) in terms of resident satisfaction. And when you live in a city this magnificent, it’s not hard to understand why! There’s never a dull moment in Edinburgh — particularly mid-year, when no less than six arts-based festivals run concurrently. The Fringe attracts plenty of antipodean performers, including the likes of comedian Wil Anderson, comedy duo Lano and Woodley, and musical theatre star Tim Minchin. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, International Festival, and International Book Festival take place at the same time.

7. Oxford

With a 900-year history of learning, pageantry, and architecture, England’s oldest university has imbued Oxford — 90 kilometres north-west of London — with an incredible sense of tradition. With no defined campus as such, the University of Oxford permeates the fabric of the entire city — and you’ll see landmark buildings like the Christopher Wren-designed Sheldonian Theatre alongside dozens of medieval and Baroque-era colleges. Needless to say, those wanting to immerse themselves in the United Kingdom’s rich history will love living in this living museum! However, don’t expect a quiet life; far from it! There are close to 30,000 students based in Oxford and it also has one of the most ethnically diverse permanent populations in the country. Cheap eats are plentiful, and pubs and bars hum well into the night.

8. Exeter

Looking to base yourself somewhere that offers all the convenience of big city living, but with a healthy dose of rural English charm? Take a look at Exeter, which is situated in the heart of Devon and is home to just on 130,000 people. Founded by the Romans way back in 55 AD, Exeter has richly textured history — evident in its period architecture and wealth of heritage attractions. Most notable is Exeter Cathedral, whose twin Norman towers dominate the skyline. Cathedral Yard is dotted with cafes and restaurants in which to sit and admire the cathedral’s impressive West Front, while inside you can marvel at the longest stretch of unbroken Gothic-style vaulting in the world. Life in Exeter is executed at a relaxed pace, and those who love the great outdoors will adore their time here. You’re just 16 kilometres from the English Channel (the train journey along the Exe Estuary to the coast is divine!), and the rugged expanse of Dartmoor National Park is also within easy reach.

9. Sheffield

If you have one eye on your future career prospects, it might be worth considering Sheffield as HQ for your UK stay. Located in South Yorkshire — 50-or-so kilometres from Manchester — this university city produces some of the country’s most skilled workers in engineering, data science, and information systems management. It’s also home to a highly specialised manufacturing industry (notably in the aerospace and automotive sectors). All of that said, the cost of housing in Sheffield is cheap by British standard (rents are estimated to be 50% less than what you’ll pay in London!). So, in theory, you could earn more and pay less to keep a roof over your head!

10. Bristol

And finally, we wrap up this list over on the western side of England in the port city of Bristol. Originally a Saxon settlement, Bristol rose to prominence as a major centre for shipping in the 16th century and thrived during the Industrial Revolution. Google any list of the best places to live in the UK, and you’ll almost always find this city of just under 500,000 people on it — based on its strong jobs market, wealth of cultural attractions, plethora of outdoor recreational spaces, and diverse dining scene. According to the BBC, Bristol was also recently named the ‘kindest city in the UK’ due to its population’s penchant for doing good deeds and showing support for charitable causes. Now if that isn’t reason enough to take up residence, we don’t know what is!

For more travel inspiration, visit www.visitbritain.com.

Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the best cities to base yourself in the UK? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Additional images: Depositphotos and Envato

 

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