{"id":23501,"date":"2026-02-28T12:21:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T06:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/?p=23501"},"modified":"2026-03-17T11:41:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T06:11:31","slug":"things-students-love-about-cardiff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Things Students Love About Cardiff"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Cardiff_Feels_Liveable\" >Cardiff Feels&nbsp;Liveable&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#You_Dont_Have_to_Lose_Hours_Commuting\" >You Don&#8217;t Have to Lose Hours Commuting&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Home_To_Supportive_Universities\" >Home To Supportive Universities&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Cardiff_Feels_Safe\" >Cardiff Feels Safe&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Green_Spaces_are_Part_of_Everyday_Student_Life\" >Green Spaces&nbsp;are Part of Everyday Student Life&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#A_Social_Scene_that_Wont_Drain_Your_Wallet\" >A Social Scene&nbsp;that&nbsp;Won\u2019t&nbsp;Drain Your Wallet&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Welcoming_Local_Culture\" >Welcoming Local Culture&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Easy_Access_to_Coastal_Areas\" >Easy Access to Coastal Areas&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Part-Time_Jobs_are_Easy_to_Find\" >Part-Time Jobs&nbsp;are Easy to Find&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Student_Friendly_Activities_and_Events_in_Cardiff\" >Student Friendly&nbsp;Activities&nbsp;and Events in Cardiff&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Why_Cardiff_Works_Well_for_Students_in_2026\" >Why Cardiff Works Well for Students in 2026?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#What_are_the_best_affordable_areas_in_Cardiff_for_students\" >What\u00a0are the best affordable areas in\u00a0Cardiff for students?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#What_are_some_interesting_facts_about_Cardiff\" >What are\u00a0some interesting facts about Cardiff?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#What_makes_Cardiff_special_as_compared_to_other_UK_cities\" >What makes Cardiff special as compared to other UK cities?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#What_is_the_nickname_of_Cardiff_City\" >What is the nickname of Cardiff City?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/student-guide\/things-students-love-about-cardiff\/#What_are_the_five_towns_of_Cardiff\" >What are the five towns of Cardiff?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>In 2026, students are not only looking for universities to study at. They are now seeing cities that&nbsp;won\u2019t&nbsp;drain their energy,&nbsp;money,&nbsp;or time.&nbsp;Since fun things to do in Cardiff&nbsp;increasing&nbsp;day by day,&nbsp;the city is quietly becoming the most student-friendly place to live. The reason is that daily life here is simple and straightforward.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Affordable living with shorter commutes has made Cardiff one of the smartest choices when it comes to studying&nbsp;abroad. Below are the top 10 reasons why students genuinely love Cardiff in&nbsp;2026.&nbsp;These are based on how life actually feels once the lectures,&nbsp;deadlines,&nbsp;and routines start.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cardiff_Feels_Liveable\"><\/span>Cardiff Feels&nbsp;Liveable&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest reasons why students&nbsp;love&nbsp;studying in Cardiff is its affordability. Compared to other cities such as London, Bristol or Edinburgh, the living costs here are a bit lower. Plus, things like rent, groceries and transportation remain manageable, allowing students to focus on both their studies&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;social life.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Note: Want to&nbsp;manage&nbsp;your daily living costs in Cardiff? Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/cost-of-living-calculator\">University Living\u2019s&nbsp;Cost of&nbsp;Living&nbsp;Calculator<\/a> now!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_Dont_Have_to_Lose_Hours_Commuting\"><\/span>You Don&#8217;t Have to Lose Hours Commuting&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardiff is a compact city, helping students make their daily lives&nbsp;more convenient. Things such as University campuses, cafes, parks, etc., are all within walking distance. You will be connected to all modes of transportation. This helps in keeping your commute time short and predictable.&nbsp;&nbsp;For students who love to balance lectures, part-time&nbsp;work&nbsp;and personal time, this convenience makes it one of the most underrated things about studying in Cardiff.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Home_To_Supportive_Universities\"><\/span>Home To Supportive Universities&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardiff has some of the top universities, like&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cardiff.ac.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Cardiff University<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cardiffmet.ac.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Cardiff Metropolitan&nbsp;University<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<strong>University of South Wales<\/strong>. Students often&nbsp;state&nbsp;that the lecturers are approachable. Plus, the universities provide strong international support services, helping them adjust faster.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Note:<\/strong><\/em> <strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/united-kingdom\/cardiff\/u\/cardiff-university\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Find student&nbsp;accommodation&nbsp;near Cardiff University<\/a> with University Living today!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cardiff_Feels_Safe\"><\/span>Cardiff Feels Safe&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Safety plays&nbsp;an important role&nbsp;in how comfortable students feel when they are living alone. Cardiff is also known as one of the safest UK cities for students. This is particularly true for university zones and central&nbsp;neighbourhoods. Areas that are well-lit, have reliable transportation systems, and active student communities help students create a safe and secure environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;This matters a lot for international students and first-time renters.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Green_Spaces_are_Part_of_Everyday_Student_Life\"><\/span>Green Spaces&nbsp;are Part of Everyday Student Life&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardiff offers something that most people struggle to get. That is easy&nbsp;access to&nbsp;nature. From Bute Park,&nbsp;located&nbsp;in the heart of the city, to coastal pathways, students use these places for studying outdoors. It also provides significant mental health breaks&nbsp;when the deadlines are creeping up. It is not a luxury, but&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;part of a daily routine.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Social_Scene_that_Wont_Drain_Your_Wallet\"><\/span>A Social Scene&nbsp;that&nbsp;Won\u2019t&nbsp;Drain Your Wallet&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardiff\u2019s social life is both inclusive and manageable. One will easily find student-friendly cafes, pubs, and live music venues that&nbsp;help keep&nbsp;nightlife affordable. Unlike other cities, students here do not feel the pressure to overspend just to stay social. This&nbsp;maintains&nbsp;balance throughout the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Welcoming_Local_Culture\"><\/span>Welcoming Local Culture&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students often&nbsp;state&nbsp;that Cardiff feels friendly in a very natural way. One can easily approach&nbsp;locals,&nbsp;areas are easy to commute, and things&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;feel rushed. This warmth helps&nbsp;students&nbsp;settle&nbsp;faster and&nbsp;shortens&nbsp;their adjustment period. Many students also say that Cardiff&nbsp;is welcoming and&nbsp;not overwhelming for those who are exploring the city for the first time.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Easy_Access_to_Coastal_Areas\"><\/span>Easy Access to Coastal Areas&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most underrated advantages of being in Cardiff is that it is&nbsp;very close&nbsp;to the coast. With short travel time and lower rent, students can easily reach the beaches and waterfronts. This helps in adding a lifestyle element that most of the inland cities do not seem to offer. It balances city life and nature without stretching their budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Part-Time_Jobs_are_Easy_to_Find\"><\/span>Part-Time Jobs&nbsp;are Easy to Find&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The job market in Cardiff works well for students. Roles in sectors such as retail, hospitality, university&nbsp;roles&nbsp;and the service sector are widely available. Plus, the competition is much lower than in large UK cities. Students who live close to campus and the city&nbsp;centre&nbsp;are often able to find work faster and manage their schedule more easily.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Student_Friendly_Activities_and_Events_in_Cardiff\"><\/span>Student Friendly&nbsp;Activities&nbsp;and Events in Cardiff&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When students need a break from studies, there are several&nbsp;<strong>student friendly Cardiff activities&nbsp;<\/strong>that make the city fun.&nbsp;During&nbsp;the year, most of the students enjoy food markets, live music, and relaxed city events. The Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival is a&nbsp;student&nbsp;favorite.&nbsp;Add parks and regular student nights, and you will have your social scene ready.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Cardiff_Works_Well_for_Students_in_2026\"><\/span>Why Cardiff Works Well for Students in 2026?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardiff is not looking to impress you. Instead, it offers balance in your life. With the help of its lower rent, short&nbsp;commutes,&nbsp;and supportive universities, the lifestyle here is both calm and active. As for students who want to secure their&nbsp;accommodations&nbsp;early, they can find better prices and locations in the city&nbsp;with us.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Note:&nbsp;Get&nbsp;personalised&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/united-kingdom\/city\/cardiff\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">student accommodation&nbsp;Cardiff<\/a>&nbsp;recommendations near top universities with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University Living<\/a> today!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1772256457151\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_best_affordable_areas_in_Cardiff_for_students\"><\/span>What\u00a0are the best affordable areas in\u00a0Cardiff for students?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Cardiff is known as one of the most affordable, compact and student friendly places. Some of the popular areas in Cathays, Roath and Heath are known for providing the most budget friendly student housing in the city.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1772258767138\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_some_interesting_facts_about_Cardiff\"><\/span>What are\u00a0some interesting facts about Cardiff?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Cardiff is known as the capital of Wales and is home to Cardiff Castle in the city. It has its own island called Flat Holm. Plus, it\u00a0is home to major UK TV production hub.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1772259154339\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_makes_Cardiff_special_as_compared_to_other_UK_cities\"><\/span>What makes Cardiff special as compared to other UK cities?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Cardiff provides\u00a0more green\u00a0spaces\u00a0than any other major UK city. It combines Roman history,\u00a0parks\u00a0and modern city centre together. The city also hosted the world\u2019s first\u00a0\u00a31 million coal trade deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1772259170463\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_nickname_of_Cardiff_City\"><\/span>What is the nickname of Cardiff City?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Cardiff is also known as \u201cThe Bluebirds\u201d.\u00a0It is a name that is linked to\u00a0city\u2019s\u00a0football club.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1772259186507\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_five_towns_of_Cardiff\"><\/span>What are the five towns of Cardiff?\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The five towns of Cardiff are\u00a0Crockherbtown, Grangetown, Newtown, Temperance Town, and the Bute Street area. They have helped in the city\u2019s early development.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2026, students are not only looking for universities to study at. They are now seeing cities that&nbsp;won\u2019t&nbsp;drain their energy,&nbsp;money,&nbsp;or time.&nbsp;Since fun things to do in Cardiff&nbsp;increasing&nbsp;day by day,&nbsp;the city is quietly becoming the most student-friendly place to live. The reason is that daily life here is simple and straightforward.&nbsp;&nbsp; Affordable living with shorter commutes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":23502,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1098],"tags":[229],"class_list":{"0":"post-23501","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-student-guide","8":"tag-united-kingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.universityliving.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}