Why Secondary Cities Are Attracting Top Talent

While London is a city with a huge amount to offer, it isn’t the be-all and end-all as far as the UK’s professionals are concerned. Increasingly, many are turning to the smaller cities in the UK, which offer many of the same advantages as the capital – and a few others, besides.

So what is it that’s so appealing about life in a secondary city? Let’s consider a few of the major advantages.

Affordable Living and Housing Opportunities

To begin with, life in a secondary city tends to be more affordable than life in a major one. The demand for housing, and the availability of it, tends to be lower. The population isn’t as dense, and there’s less pressure on public infrastructure – which tends to mean lower fees.

Many of the new-build homes now being constructed across the country are to be found in secondary cities. Move into one, and you’ll be able to enjoy many of the advantages that come with city life, at just a fraction of the cost.

Emerging Business Hubs

Many of the UK’s other major cities are beginning to specialise in specific industries, which might give them a particular advantage over the capital. For example, both Manchester and Leeds offer a great place to start a new tech business. In the latter case, tech firms are growing faster than the national average by around 125%.

If you have a particular skill set, or you’re looking to work within a specific industry, it might be that there’s a secondary city that fits your needs perfectly.

Enhanced Quality of Life

When you’re thinking about where to live, you’ll want to consider what the quality of life will be like. This is dependent not just on the amount of money you’re earning, and the amount that you’re spending, but also on less quantifiable factors, like the availability of green space, schools, and healthcare, as well as the general vibe you get from the area. Visiting the city you intend to move into is often a crucial step. It will help you to decide whether the place is a good fit for you.

Investment in Infrastructure and Development

Some regions in the UK are set to benefit from targeted government investment in the future. In particular, Oxford and Cambridge are set to enjoy greater integration and better transport links, thanks to an effort to create an area for tech startups in Europe to rival Silicon Valley in the United States.

Educational Institutions and Talent Pools

The presence of a strong local university, or ideally several of them, can make it easier for businesses to recruit skilled junior staff, and for young professionals to find work. Thus, if you’re considering relocating, the chances are good that a university city will serve your needs. This also means if you are looking to hire, you may want to consider advertising roles which aren’t specifically in the office, as you may get a higher quality candidate.