Life in Swansea & Neath Port Talbot
Life in Swansea &
Neath Port Talbot
A beautiful area in South Wales, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot offer the perfect balance of urban lifestyle and seaside idyll.
Situated on the coast, Swansea is the second most populated city in Wales, and comes with all the most sought-after amenities, including a large shopping district, restaurants, cinemas, sports facilities and a brilliant range of high-quality schools, all sitting along 5 miles of sandy coastline.
Swansea also boasts connections to other major cities, being just one hour from Cardiff, two hours from Bristol and three hours by train from London.
Neath Port Talbot is a county borough in South West Wales, which borders Swansea to the west. Sitting between the foothills of Bannau Brycheinog (Brecon Beacons) and the sands of Aberavon Beach, Neath Port Talbot offers semi-rural living, and a great place to live and work.
With its stunning beaches, the breathtaking Gower Peninsular was the UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty back in 1956, and we’re glad to say it’s still the nation’s favourite – as Which? readers voted it the best AONB in Wales in October 2020! You can enjoy all the benefits of a city life, but with the ocean and the majestic Brecon Beacons right on your doorstep. But don’t take our word for it: Go here to read the Guardian’s review “I could be by the Med”
There are a range of areas to explore and make your home – whether by yourself, with friends, or family. Swansea and Neath Port Talbot both offer a range of different areas and neighbourhoods to choose from.
Moving to the area
Education
Housing
History and Nature
Jobs
Transport
The Local Community
Places of worship
Mumbles
Mumbles is a seaside village in Swansea Bay with a picturesque coastal vibe. It has all the amenities you could need, from supermarkets to local greengrocers, butchers and fishmongers, as well as a range of high-end shops and independent boutiques. It also hosts an annual raft race, attracting visitors from across the UK.
Mumbles has so much to offer history buffs. It’s home to the famous, historic Mumbles Pier which opened in 1898, and you can wander the remains of Oystermouth Castle, the earliest of which date back to the early 12th century.
The charming mix of shops, walkways, and eateries blend old and new and make Mumbles a fantastic place to live and work. And perhaps best of all – just a stone’s throw from the beach and pier is the delightful Joe’s Ice Cream Parlour, one of Mumbles’ not so well-kept secrets!
The area also has a great reputation for primary and secondary schools, with many reported as either Outstanding or Good in their Ofsted inspections, and the village has been ranked among the best places to live in Wales and one of the ‘coolest places in the UK to move to’ by the Sunday Times.
Neath Port Talbot
Neath Port Talbot is home to beautiful, green outdoor spaces and miles of coastline – Aberavon seafront is one of Wales’ longest beaches with a stunning modern promenade overlooking Swansea Bay. The area itself has a great sense of community, with regular events such as the Great British Food Festival, the Richard Burton 10k, (in memory of the late great actor who was born in the Afan Valley), historical re-enactments, and many more.
Neath Port Talbot really is a great place to live and work, offering competitive property prices, and being situated so close to the M4, you can be in Swansea in 20 minutes and Cardiff in an hour, making it a perfect place for commuters by car or public transport.
The town centre of Neath features many excellent coffee shops, bars and restaurants and it has many good performing secondary schools according to recent Ofsted and Estyn reports. Additionally, Neath College was voted as the top training provider in Wales as part of The School Leavers Awards.
Port Talbot town centre boasts modern indoor shopping facilities at Aberafan Shopping Centre, with parking, a great mix of shops, and plenty of coffee shops and places to eat when you need to refuel.
The Swansea Valley (one of the five valleys of NPT) is spread across Neath Port Talbot and Swansea and is intersected by Afon Tawe (River Tawe). At its heart sits the creative hub of Pontardawe. Its arts centre offers a packed and diverse programme of live music, comedy, dance, drama and children’s events; and the annual Pontardawe Festival encompasses a wonderful street parade and a whole range of music and live acts to enjoy.
You will love discovering, exploring and enjoying all the wonderful place, sights and sounds Neath Port Talbot has to offer.
Gower
With stunning landscapes, quality schools, low crime rate and reasonable house prices, Gower is not only a premier tourist destination, but one of the most desirable places to live in Wales.
You can’t talk about Gower without mentioning the outdoor activities! It’s the perfect destination for surfers, avid hikers, cyclists, and anyone who enjoys exploring wildlife and being out in nature.
Gower offers some of the best surfing in the UK, benefitting from the same waves and tidal swells as Cornwall, but perhaps with fewer crowds! Old, young, beginner and advanced surfers all love the area for its laidback vibe, and there are plenty of areas to choose from (Caswell Bay, Rhossili Bay, and Llangennith are particular favourites) and there are lots of local schools to help you develop and hone your skills. Check out the Visit Wales
website for more.
If you’re looking for something more leisurely, the local beaches make the perfect retreat for sun bathers; the local woodlands are a favourite with birdwatchers; and the local history offers up so many opportunities to delve into the past. Whatever your pace, you’ll find something to love in the award-winning Gower Peninsula.
Swansea City Centre
Swansea’s waterfront city centre has a range of shops and is home to Wales’ largest indoor market. The city centre also includes beautiful botanical gardens such as Clyne Gardens and Singleton Park.
The centre of Swansea hosts a vibrant live music scene with a range of venues to suit all tastes. Wind Street also offers many pubs that have a selection of unique craft beers, pool tables, ping pong and arcade games.
The shopping is almost second to none and offers the best selection of shopping destinations in South West Wales and one of the largest indoor markets in Wales, rebuilt after the original 1897 building was destroyed in WWII. But if shopping’s not your thing, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge your more curious side with visits to one of the many cultural, historical, performance, nature or art venues in the city.
The Swansea.com Stadium is home to The Swans and The Ospreys and hosts a full programme of concerts and events throughout the year.
Swansea is a vibrant, diverse, and exciting city centre with so much to offer – we guarantee you won’t be bored!
Relocating to the area
Whether you are moving within the UK or relocating from overseas, we have a specialist team of recruitment experts on hand to guide you through the process. They will assist you with everything you need from advice on visas, documentation, and processes, through to induction to ensure your move is as smooth as possible. Why not explore this section of the website to see what awaits you in this beautiful corner of Wales?
Download our International recruitment pack here.
Find out why you should work for us.
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