If you want to be truly satisfied in your professional life it’s important to love not just what you do, but where you work as well. And at Box UK we’re lucky to have our offices in the very centre of a city consistently voted as one of the best, happiest and hippest places to live in the UK: Cardiff.
Big enough to offer all of the benefits and opportunities expected of a capital city, yet compact enough to retain a strong sense of community, Cardiff really does have something for everyone. In fact, when we asked the team what they liked the most about living and working in the city, we were inundated with responses and many of them volunteered to answer any questions you may have – just drop us a line and we’ll put you in touch.
Here then are just some of Cardiff’s biggest highlights. If it sounds like something you want to be a part of then be sure to check out our vacancies, and see if there’s a future for you here with Box UK.
Wales is reported to have the UK’s fastest-growing digital economy outside of London, and this trend is certainly reflected in the wealth of digital- and technology-focused events and activities to be enjoyed in the Welsh capital. Wherever your passion lies, you’re certain to find online communities and regular real-world meetups for developers, UX’ers, Agile advocates, digital designers and more.
There are also a number of co-working spaces and laptop-friendly cafes available, if you’re looking for somewhere convenient, connected and cosy to get on with private projects.
With excellent provision for buses, trains, bikes and even boats, commuting in Cardiff doesn’t come with the hassle of some other cities.
If city living isn’t for you, though, there’s a variety of attractive alternatives in the surrounding towns and villages, most of which are only a 25-minute train ride away. With the M4 motorway on our doorstep it’s also easy to get to Bristol (less than an hour away), and you could be in London in just two hours.
The Severn bridge toll has also recently been scrapped – so your commute might be a lot cheaper than you expect.
Cardiff is full of independent places to shop, eat and drink so, whatever takes your fancy, you’re sure to find something completely one-of-a-kind.
The city’s famous Victorian arcades contain a great selection of quirky boutiques, cosy cafes and even the world’s oldest record shop, and there’s award-winning food and drink available for virtually every taste and budget.
The Box UK offices are also conveniently located above a fantastic bar that puts on great craft beer events throughout the year – the perfect place to meet the team and break the ice!
Our offices are situated directly opposite Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, so we’re very well aware of the central place sport holds in the city. Rugby, football, cricket and ice hockey can all be regularly enjoyed within a short journey from the city centre, and the atmosphere on match days is always electric.
There are also world-class facilities for those that like participating in sport as well as just watching it, from an indoor 3G football pitch, tennis courts and roller rink at House of Sport to an olympic-standard swimming pool and white water centre at the International Sports Village – not to mention exceptional surfing beaches just a short drive away.
Cardiff’s selection of music venues provides huge variety for those looking for a fun night out, ranging from small, intimate gigs at places such as Clwb Ifor Bach, Fuel Rock Club and The Moon (all of which, incidentally, can be found right behind the office) through to headline acts at the Tramshed, Motorpoint Arena and Principality Stadium.
There are also numerous theatres, museums and galleries to keep you interested and entertained, as well as a host of fantastic (and often free) events that take place all year round such as the Cardiff Festival, Cardiff Bay Beach, the Christmas market, and Tafwyl, Cardiff’s Welsh arts and culture festival.
Cardiff may only have been a capital since 1955, but the city’s history goes back much further than that.
Evidence of a Roman fort can even be seen at Cardiff Castle, found in the very centre of the city and free to enter for those that live or work in Cardiff.
There can’t be that many people who can have their lunch next to an ancient keep!
You don’t have to leave the city to get closer to nature in Cardiff. The Box UK offices are in sight of the beautiful Bute Park, which is a fantastic place to recharge after work in the summer, or play a friendly game of company rounders during lunch.
Additionally the Taff trail – described by one Box UK developer as “the best commute I have ever had” – follows the river all the way from the bay to Pontypridd, and with ample space for bike storage in the Box UK offices it’s easy to take advantage of this and other cycle opportunities.
Of course, if you do want an adventure outside of the city you won’t have to go very far, whether your interest lies in hiking, mountain biking, climbing, surfing, kayaking or something else entirely.
Travelling just half an hour will bring you to some of the best beaches in the world (not to mention one of Wales’ premier surf spots), while in the other direction you’ll find the rugged countryside of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
And if you’re not sure where to start, we’re an active team here at Box UK – so there will likely always be an upcoming trip in the works for you to get involved with.
Average house prices in Wales are over £70,000 lower than the national average, and living costs in Cardiff are estimated to be 21% cheaper than London.
So, there are clear financial benefits to living here – meaning you’ll have more to spend on all that this great city offers (or to save for a rainy day!).