Choosing which of the 76 UK cities you want to build your new overseas life in can be overwhelming if you’ve not visited the UK much – or even at all. Each city truly does offer something entirely different, and it’s worth exploring your options to see which could be the best fit for you. Opinions from residents of some of the UK’s top cities can offer you nothing more than conflicting views and biased opinions. That’s why we’ve put together the only guide you’ll need to the best UK cities for immigrants new to the country.
London
London being the UK’s capital city, is known for being a tourist hotspot and is home to some of the country’s most famous landmarks and architecture. The city truly never sleeps and has built a reputation for offering residents the perfect balance between work life and personal life. London sits comfortably ahead of all the other UK cities in the job opportunities it has to offer, with hundreds of thousands of UK residents relocating there every year. The city continues to be a popular choice amongst people moving to the UK because of its impressive multicultural communities, where over 300 languages are spoken. It’s not just the community and job opportunities you need to consider. Attaining the right to permanently live in the UK, also known as Indefinite Leave To Remain, may not be as straightforward as many people hope for. Immigration lawyers in London are some of the best in the industry, and can help with application challenges and resubmissions. If you’re looking for a city that’s thriving, stable, and easy to settle into, London could be the best place for you.
Birmingham
Birmingham, located in the heart of the Midlands, is a city that’s become increasingly popular with the South Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities, amongst many others. In fact, Birmingham is known to be one of the most diverse cities in the UK. Unlike London, Birmingham offers residents a bite of the city life that’s only a short drive away from the tranquil English countryside. Sitting roughly 128 miles away from the country’s capital city, Birmingham is well-known for its affordable housing and cost of living – a key attraction for immigrants moving to the country. Being the second-largest city in the country, Birmingham has a thriving economy that shows no signs of slowing down. Its continued growth has created job opportunities across major sectors such as healthcare, education and advanced manufacturing.
Manchester
To the north of the country, you can find a football and music-mad city we like to call Manchester. Over the decades, the city has built a reputation for its growing job market and welcoming atmosphere. Although typically higher than its midland neighbour, Manchester offers significantly more affordable housing options compared to London and the South East. The city is also home to the busiest airport in the UK outside of London, making overseas travel well connected and highly accessible. Manchester’s expanding creative and digital sectors make it appealing to highly-skilled professionals applying to relocate through routes such as the Global Talent Visa.
Leeds
Further north of the country sits the backbone of Yorkshire’s economy, Leeds. Known to be one of the greenest cities in Europe, Leeds offers residents a highly affordable cost of living with the beauty of the yorkshire dales right on its doorstep. It’s attractive to immigrants moving to the UK because of its vibrant multicultural communities, home to over 170 nationalities and over 100 different languages. Since 2016, Immigration levels within the city have stayed strong, and Leeds continues to be a city of inclusivity and equal opportunity.
