Wales is a small country in the United Kingdom (UK) and has a population of 3.1 million. Officially, the country has more castles per square mile than any other country worldwide. Behind Windsor Castle, Caerphilly is the largest one, and there are over 600 castles in Wales today. If you’ve heard of the Welsh language, you’ll know that it’s well-known for its long words.
One such example is the Welsh village of “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch”. This is the second longest place name in the world, and it means “St Mary’s Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave.”
Looking for some adventure in Wales? Then why not visit the Swallow Falls at Betws-y-coed? This is the most visited waterfall in the UK. There’s also Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, which is the deepest cave in Great Britain, lying 308 metres underground. And for some quaint facts, St David’s in Pembrokeshire is the smallest cathedral city in the world. It has a tiny population of only 2,000 and is the only town in Britain that falls entirely within a national park.
These and other factors make Wales a great place to move to. So, if you’re interested in finding out more about the cost of living in this country, keep reading!
Table of Contents
Bank Accounts
If you’d like to open a bank account in Wales, you will need two sets of documents to prove your identity and to prove your address. This is applicable whether you open your account online or in-branch. To prove your identity, you will need to present the bank with either your Passport, driving license or your identity card as an EU national. To prove your address, on the other hand, you will need to provide one of the following documents, depending on the bank you’re opting to go with:
- Tenancy agreement/mortgage statement
- An electricity or gas bill that’s not older than three months
- A bank or credit card statement printed by your bank that’s also not older than three months, or
- A current tax bill from your council
Accommodation Cost in Wales
Wales has been ranked as the ninth most expensive and second best country to live in the UK. This means that your rental accommodation costs will be in the region of £723 per month, depending on your location. On the other hand, your utilities will cost you in the region of £353.08, depending on how many people you live with (for example, a family of four versus a single-person household).
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre which is around 40 square metres in size, will cost you around £725 per month, while the same apartment will cost you £552 per month in a more affordable area. Meanwhile, a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre with a size of 80 square metres will set you back in the region of £1,209, while the same apartment will cost you £950 in a more affordable area.
If you’re interested in purchasing, keep in mind that your mortgage interest rate for a period of 20 years will be in the region of 3.17%. If you’d like to purchase an apartment in the city centre, you’ll pay around £4,849, while a house in the suburbs will cost you around £2,858. If you’re looking for more budget-friendly apartments in Wales, check out the other most preferred cities for expats in Wales.
Cost of Utility Bills
Utility bills add up because they include several things such as electricity, heating, water and more. For one person, a utility bill can cost in the region £134, while the same bill for a bigger family will cost around £207. An internet plan that offers you 50 Mbps+ per month on an unlimited basis will set you back around £35.80.
Transportation expenses
Overall, transportation expenses in Wales for a single person per month will cost somewhere in the region of £80.60, while for a bigger family, these costs will be around £216. Meanwhile, a local transport ticket will cost around £3.37, while a monthly ticket for local transport will set you back by around £63.60. If you’re in a hurry and you need to take a taxi, an eight-kilometre ride will cost you somewhere around $16.60. Meanwhile, a litre of petrol is around £1.59.
Cost of necessities
Necessities such as food and clothes must also be factored into your monthly bills. Here are some of the most common fridge items and their associated costs.
Food costs in Wales
Food costs in Wales for a single person per month can go in the region of $398, while for a family of four, these costs are around £1,028.
Here’s a wider breakdown of your food costs:
| Type of product | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | 1 litre | £1.05 |
| Bread | 0.5 kg | £1.35 |
| Rice | 1 kg | £1.37 |
| Eggs | one dozen | £2.53 |
| Cheese | 1 kg | £7.59 |
| Steak | 1 kg | £9.43 |
| Apples | 1 kg | £2.30 |
| Bananas | 1 kg | £1.30 |
| Oranges | 1 kg | £2.18 |
| Tomatoes | 1 kg | £1.92 |
| Potatoes | 1 kg | £1.77 |
| Onions | 1 kg | £1.47 |
| Bottled water | 1 litre | £0.76 |
| Coca Cola or Pepsi | 2 litres | £2.38 |
| Mid range wine | 750 ml | £8.93 |
| Beer | 0.5 litre | £2.21 |
Want to eat out? The price of a lunch menu can set you back around £14.80, while dinner for two at a restaurant will cost in the region of £52. A fast food meal at a chain such as McDonald’s is £6.92, while a 0.5-litre beer in a pub is £4.30. If you’re interested in ordering a cappuccino or a Pepsi/Coke (0.5 litres), the costs are £3.45 and £1.85, respectively.
Attire and personal care
As for attire and personal care, you can expect to pay £76.50 for a pair of brand jeans and £82.80 for a pair of brand sneakers. Cold medicine for a week will cost you around £4.88, hair shampoo will cost £3.82, four rolls of toilet paper will cost in the region of £2.36, while a tube of toothpaste will cost around £1.93.
Takeaways
Wales is a land of many castles and natural wonders! Living there is on the more expensive end of the spectrum, with the country being the ninth most expensive place to live in the UK. However, in return, you receive a high standard of living and a well-organised transportation system connecting Wales to the UK, Ireland and also Europe.
Moving to Wales from the UK can certainly be a challenge regardless that the whole moving process is contained on the island. Share the load with the international movers and enjoy a smooth relocation!
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