Pros and cons of living in Swansea

If you fancy a quiet life with long walks by the sea every sunset, than Swansea is the right town for you. Located on the southwest coast within historic boundaries of Glamorgan county, Swansea is the second largest city in Wales. Having lived there for about 10 months, I have come to learn a few things about the lifestyle in Swansea.

Swansea is a city located on the coast of Wales, on the south south side of the United Kingdom. It is the second largest city in Wales, with a population of around 240,000 people and a relatively young city.

Swansea is situated on the estuary of the River Tawe therefore is surrounded by beautiful beaches and coastal scenery. The Gower Peninsula, which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is located just to the west of the city, and not too far there is the stunning village Mumbles.

Swansea has a rich history and was once an important industrial center, particularly in the production of copper and other metals. Today, the city is home to a number of cultural attractions, including the National Waterfront Museum, which tells the story of the city’s industrial heritage, and the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, which has a collection of Welsh art and ceramics.

There are two famous people that were born in Swansea, one is the poet Dylan Thomas and the other is…Catherine Zeta Jones (one of my favorite actresses).

In addition to its cultural attractions, Swansea is also known for its beautiful coastline and its many parks and green spaces. The city has a number of beaches and coastal walks, as well as a number of parks and nature reserves.

Swansea is well-connected to the rest of the UK, with a main railway station that provides regular services to Wales’ capital Cardiff and other parts of the country as well and a well-developed road network. The city also has an international airport, which provides flights to a number of destinations within the UK and Europe.

Here are some potential pros and cons of living in Swansea:

Pros of living in Swansea

1. Amazing coastal areas and beaches only a few minutes walking from the city centre. Swansea is pretty close to stunning countryside as well. Living here feels like you’re on a never ending holiday.
2. Quiet life. No hustle and bustle of the big cities, Swansea is a quiet and simple city, you cannot get lost in it.
3. Affordable cost of living: Swansea has a lower cost of living compared to other cities in the UK, which means that it may be more affordable to live there. I paid 575 pounds for a big size studio right in the center of Swansea, bills included (except council tax and internet).
4. Good transport links: Swansea has good transport links, with a well-developed road network and a main railway station that provides regular services to other parts of the country.
5. Beautiful location: Swansea is located on the coast of Wales, which means that there are many beautiful beaches and coastal walks to enjoy. The city also has a number of parks and green spaces, as well as the Gower Peninsula, which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
6. Cultural attractions: Swansea has a number of cultural attractions, including the National Waterfront Museum, which tells the story of the city’s industrial heritage, and the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, which has a collection of Welsh art and ceramics.

Is Swansea a good place to live?

Cons of living in Swansea

1. Except for the stunning seaside, there are only a few things really worth to see in Swansea. Yes, this little town is the birthplace of the poet Dylan Thomas (who actually described the city as lovely ugly town) and there is a Waterfront Museum and the National Museum of Swansea as well, but it only takes 1-2 hours to see them all.
2. Wine Street. I can’t understand why people choose to flock to this hellhole on every Fridays and Saturdays. Maybe I’m getting too old now and don’t feel like partying every weekend, but I see there plenty older people than me.
3. Limited job opportunities. Unemployment rate is high and if you’re lucky to find a job the pay rate is lower than in England, for instance.
4. Many companies advertise their preference or Welsh speaking applicants (is right there on indeed.co.uk) which seems a discriminatory practice to me.
5. The weather is terrible most of the year. The wind and rain are relentlessly down-heartening over many days or even weeks. The town looks deserted during these times and there is not much to do.
6. Welsh people (still) lack of sense of beauty in general, the town is ugly and boring. And their manners of speaking and behaving are rough.
7. A depressing and boring vibe mixed with amazing coastal scenery – and that sums all about Swansea.
8. Wales is for Welsh people attitudes and now even remarks. If a councillor dared to talk loudly like that, imagine what other Welsh people think and say to Non-Welsh people, be them British or immigrants.