Thinking of a career change? Then come to Wales.

The Sigma Recruitment guide for candidates relocating to

Find out more about South Wales, what’s on offer and why you should relocate!

Living in Wales Business in Wales Why move to Wales?

• Wales has some of the lowest living costs in The manufacturing sector in Wales employs around the United Kingdom and most of the population 150,000 people and turns over a massive £38.6 enjoy a high standard of living. billion every year. In the last 40 years, over 700 international companies have located in Wales. • Living costs in Wales do depend on your location, In aerospace and defence, Wales is a hotbed employment and circumstances. However, of R&D, and home to over 20% of the UK’s historically Wales has had lower costs on maintenance repair & overhaul works. items such as accommodation, travel, food, entertainment, shopping and services. Property In the automotive sector, Wales has invested over prices, council tax and basic expenses all £40 million in low carbon projects. generally fall below the UK average. Photonics is booming in Wales too, with Welsh photonics research developing a global reputation, • The NHS in Wales spends more per person than both for innovation and exploitation of commercial in England, just over £2,000 compared with £1,900. value.

• Prescriptions are free And, high above the West Wales coast and stretching out to sea, you’ll find a dedicated • World class sports and cultural destinations airspace for unmanned aircraft systems and including the , Wales National remotely piloted ariel systems. Velodrome and the . Add to that the three new dedicated Enterprise Zones and you have proof that business, • Another factor in Wales’s favour: cheaper housing. government and universities are all working The national average house value is £153,299. together to set new standards. The average for the UK as a whole is £238,293.

Wales is a fabulous place to live and work 02920 450 100 www.sigmarecruitment.co.uk South Wales A Quick Tour

South East Wales South West Wales , Newport and the Valleys Swansea and West Wales If you are travelling to Wales from London, you will arrive in The National Botanic Garden of Wales and the south east Wales in about two to three hours, depending Pembrokeshire Coast National Park are both located in on whether you’re on the train or in a car. this region.

South East Wales is the most built up of the Welsh South West Wales is best known for its scenery. There’s regions. The majority of the population live here and a the Gower Peninsula an area of outstanding natural beauty large proportion of industry is based here. The capital city near Swansea and the UK’s only coastal National Park, Cardiff has a population of approx. 348,000. the Pembrokeshire Coast.

But it’s not all industry. Cardiff is one of the greenest cities There are two ferry ports that connect Wales to Ireland; in the UK, with many parks to choose from including Bute Fishguard and Pembroke and Wales’ smallest city, the Park and . In less than an hour’s drive it’s possible cathedral city of St Davids. to escape the city for the more rural setting of the Brecon South West Wales is mainly rural, although Wales’ second Beacon’s National Park, Heritage Coast or the city Swansea has a population of about 239,000. Wye Valley.

In 2011 Cardiff was chosen as one of the 10 best places Other notable South West Wales highlights: in the world to visit during the summer by National • Seals – the Pembrokeshire coast, especially the Geographic magazine - the only UK location to be featured. offshore islands of Skomer and Ramsey, is home Other notable South East Wales highlights: to a 5000 strong colony of grey seals. Lucky visitors may see dolphins and porpoise too. • The Millennium Stadium widely regarded as the best rugby stadium in the world. • Rhossili Bay, Gower, voted third best beach in Europe by Tripadvisor visitors. • Castles galore – Cardiff, Caerphilly, Chepstow, Castell Coch, Raglan and many more. • Pembrey Coastal Park – miles of beach and • Cardiff Bay – home of the Millennium Centre, the countryside to explore. and the lively waterfront. • Wales National Coastal • Celtic Manor Resort near Newport hosted the Path – uniquely the path Ryder Cup 2010 and NATO Wales 2014. provides a continuous • World Heritage Site of Blaenavon – home of the walking route around the Big Pit. whole of Wales.

02920 450 100 www.sigmarecruitment.co.uk