Bored of home? Here are seven reasons to stay in Cardiff after graduating

Despite being the rainiest city in the UK, Cardiff is one of the most popular among students and young adults. With its accessibility to the business of a city centre, alongside the calmness of walks along the coastline, the Welsh capital is undoubtedly an amazing place for young professionals to reside.

If you don’t want to leave Cardiff once you’ve finished your degree, take a look at this handful of hearty reasons why you should stay in the city after graduation. From post-student social life to job opportunities in the growing Welsh job market. Graduates, we have got you covered.

Affordable rent prices

Cozzie Living times are tough, but not if you stay based in Cardiff. The Welsh capital is notorious for providing a comfortable cost of living for its residents, whether in the form of rent prices or a pint of beer.

When you take on a new job, it can be tricky to manage your finances day-to-day. By living in an affordable city like Cardiff, these stresses could be majorly reduced.

You may feel that you’ve outgrown the chaotic world of Cathays, but with Roath around the corner, it offers the perfect separation from your student days and much less messy bin day.

Postgraduate courses

For those of you who aren’t done with education, a great motivation to stay in Cardiff is the plentiful postgrad courses that each university has to offer.

You could take a PGCE course at Cardiff Met if you’re interested in teaching, or widen your field of expertise in journalism by studying the magazine journalism MA at Cardiff University. Or put your hand to a graduate diploma in law, a law conversion course for non-law graduates.

Job opportunities

The Welsh job market is ever-growing and extremely diverse, meaning there are a multitude of opportunities in fields such as the creative industries, healthcare and finance.

So, keep your eyes peeled for opportunities on LinkedIn, Indeed or even through career notifications provided by the uni, as your first full time job could be based right here in Cardiff.

Social life

Pub culture is at the heart of Cardiff’s community, even if you don’t drink, a Friday night spent at the pub is where you’ll find most residents. You might choose to remain loyal to student hotspots such as the Woody or the Flora, or to venture to Canton or into the city centre for a pint after work.

If you’re ready to retire from your slightly heavier student going out schedule, there’s plenty more graduate-friendly activities to take on. You could take a stroll around Bute or Roath park, head on weekend beach trips with new work pals or even a Sunday morning Pontcanna market trip.

A happy social life = a happy work life, that sounds like job satisfaction to us.

Welsh culture

The overriding Welsh friendly and inclusive atmosphere makes it easier for graduates to transition from university life to professional life.

For the sport lovers, Rugby and other sports are integral parts of Welsh culture, offering both active participation and a sense of community through local sports clubs and events. Just because you’ve left uni, doesn’t mean you can’t get involved in a local sports team.

Proximity to major cities

The city’s location allows for an easy commute to other major UK cities like Bristol and London, creating more professional and social opportunities without the extra cost.

When London living prices don’t match up with a graduate salary, you’re only a railcard price train ride away from the best of both worlds.

Staying in a student-friendly city

Keep the comfortability whilst entering the big wide world. Cardiff is known for being a student-friendly city, which translates well into a welcoming environment for young professionals seeking the work-life balance, that as a student tends to be more oriented towards your social life.

Most students will be adapted to their life in Cardiff, whether you’ve been here for three years or seven, so why not extend your stay?

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