There's more to the UK than just London! Because the British capital is so huge and has so many diverse people, it's easy to think that this city represented most of Great Britain. It does not! The kingdom has a lot more fascinating cities to look forward to. One, in particular, is Leeds. You'd be surprised at how easy yet exciting it is to stay here. It's a mix of British urban lifestyle with the English countryside. What a combination, right? But what if you were to live here? How would you fare? Well, if let this relation guide help you, you'll do just fine!
Overview
You can tell that Leeds is an emerging city in the UK as it's one the most populous in the Yorkshire region. With over 1.902 million people living there as of 2021, it's clear that there's something about Leeds that has people moving there. The weather, just like in other cities like
London and
Nottingham, is as cool as ever. It can get pretty sunny during springtime, but for the most part, rain is common in Leeds. And since the city is in the English countryside, no matter how many foreign residents settle down here, English remains the dominant language. You'd do well in learning the language while you're here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Rory 89
Getting Around
Despite being in the English countryside, Leeds is actually a very urban city. You can already see it through its often busy
public transport. With its own transit system, buses, ferries, and the like, the city offers a lot of options for getting around. You can even simply purchase a Day Saver card, one of the city's many travel passes, that allows unlimited access throughout all of the modes of public transportation. And it only costs £5.00! However, if you're not that strict with your budget, you can always make use of
transportation apps to book a ride! That's often the more convenient way!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Rept0n1x
Where to Live
If you're relocating to Leeds, one of the first things you ought to do is to choose where to live. Don't think that just because the city is in the English countryside that practically every part of it is idyllic. That's so not the case with Leeds! As already mentioned, the city is one of the more urban in all of Yorkshire. There
many districts in Leeds, each more different than the next. You have to take into account who you're with (by yourself, with family, or friends) as well as the lifestyle you want to lead. Notable neighborhoods include Bramhope (very urban), Horsforth (suburbs), and Otley (quiet and slightly rural).
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Real Estate
Once you've chosen a neighborhood to call home, now you're gonna have to keep up with the
living costs here. The good news is Leeds is far more affordable than
London and any other major city. Even though it's a pretty urban town in Yorkshire, you won't have to shell out as much money as you'd need to in the British capital. The rental fees here typically range from £600.00 to £1,500.00 per month. Not bad, right? It's practically a miracle that a place that rents for less than £1,000.00 exists! That alone should tell you just how affordable Leeds is!
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Employment
Not a lot of people may know this but Leeds is actually a thriving financial and business hub in the UK. Although it pales in comparison to London, the city can hold its own nonetheless. It's possibly one of the main reasons it's one of the most populous cities, not just in York, but in the entire UK too! With so many companies setting up shop here and startups popping up, Leeds greatly contributes to the current stability of the
UK's job market. Not to mention there are a ton of great opportunities for foreign residents to
find a job here too!
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Education
Because Leeds is slowlly becoming a major city in the UK, it's only natural that many schools here are gaining more and more prominence. If you're moving to Leeds with your entire family you don't have to worry about your kids' education all that much! Your children can happily continue their studies in
the many international schools in the city. The
Leeds West Academy and
Gateways School are two of Leeds' best educational institutions. And, of course, when they reach college age, they can still go to the prestigious University of Leeds too! Studying here is no problem at all!
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Healthcare
Just like in other cities in the UK, the
British Healthcare system thrives in Leeds. The
NHS can take good care of you while you're in this city no matter what. That is if you've become a legal resident of the country. Only then will you be able to get access to the public healthcare they provide. If not, you can always rely on private health coverage instead, preferably from an international provider. Whichever you go for, getting coverage allows you to go to any of
Leeds' finest hospitals with lower, subsidized medical costs. Some of those hospitals include the
Leeds General Infirmary and
Chapel Allerton Hospital, among many others!
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Safety
Now, let's talk safety! Is Leeds a safe city to relocate to? For now, according to
its crime rates, it's pretty moderate. As of this writing, Leeds' general crime rate is 47.01%, a pretty moderate rate on the scale. This means that, although the city is far from a crime-infested dystopia, it's also not a crime-free paradise either! Most especially since the current rate of increasing crimes here is at a high 62.32%! Nevertheless, you'd do well in avoiding some areas while you're here. Belle Isle, a common den for drug dealers, and Burmantofts, where car chases happen often, are just some of them!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Mtaylor848
Taxes
Relocating to Leeds means you'll become a legal resident in the UK. And becoming a resident of the country means you have to abide by
its tax system too! Only if you're under the age of 18 or you're already retired will you not be required to pay taxes anymore. Other than that, as long as you live and work in the UK, or your income comes from a UK-based company, you're required to pay your fair share of taxes. The income tax rate here, as it is in many other countries, depends on how much you earn annually. However, if you only earn £12,500.00 or less per year, your income tax rate is 0%.
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Relocation Tips
Finally, when you're moving to Leeds, or to any other UK city, for that matter, you'd do well in
setting up a local bank account. Only then will you be able to safely store your money while you're here. Don't just rely on online platforms for your banking needs. Before you know it, you're already paying unnecessary fees that can seriously cost you a lot. Furthermore, you might want to
join a mobile network here too! Going locally when it comes to your SIM card comes with all sorts of great deals that provide lots of data to keep you online and connected with others!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Leeds is an emerging city in the UK that you might want to consider if you're relocating to the country! This mix of urban life and the English countryside offers different sorts of lifestyles that might pique your interest! Let this relocation guide help you understand it all better!
