Best UK Cities To Move To With Little One

Moving with little ones can be overwhelming in itself, but they are also a huge part of almost every single decision you make. When picking a new city to raise little ones, you have so much to consider, such as the quality of schools, safety, house prices, whether the home is near transport routes, whether you and your partner would enjoy living in that city, and how far away you are from your family. 

That is just some of the questions that you will need to ask yourself and your partner, as you aren’t just thinking about yourself anymore. When making this decision, it’s a huge investment and a nod to give it a really good try before deciding if it was the right decision or not. 

We have included a range of northern and southern cities that would be great options for families to start a new chapter in their lives. 

Manchester

A fantastic northern city that has such a range of suburban areas that offer different average house prices. Depending on which side of Manchester you wish to move to, prices will be dictated by the area, such as South Manchester, including Didsbury, Wilmslow, and Altrincham, which are all great spots but are on the more expensive side. That being said, they have incredible nursery, primary and high school options, with private schools an option if needed. 

Altrincham was also voted the best place to live in Manchester as of 2026. These are very family-friendly areas, but don’t sleep on the North of Manchester, where you will find Monton, Walkden, Middleton and Ancoats right on the border of Manchester City Centre. While these might not be as ‘nice’ as the southern areas, they are much more cost-effective for families and are much truer to the Manchester area. Overall, these are all extremely convenient locations for commuting into the centre, while offering family-friendly areas at a range of prices.

Leeds

A northern city that is the best of both worlds, there is easy access to the city centre but also to the best countryside in England. So it merges convenience for work for both yourselves and your children's futures while being able to remain consistent with outdoor activities while they are young.

Being close to a city centre as a family is always a great idea, you not only have access to so many amenities and shopping perks like at Victoria Leeds but overall there is also access to several play groups and communities where parents can join like-minded groups with children for support, socialising and or companionship which can be extremely beneficial, especially for new parents who have joined the city.

Sheffield

If you want your kids to grow up outdoorsy, Sheffield has been famously labelled as the outdoor city of the UK. This is perfect for families close to the Leeds area that want the best of both worlds and to have free access to both without loads of effort. However, the best part of Sheffield is that it brings that rurality into the city, over 60% of the city is green space and not to mention you are basically right next door to the Peak District.

If you are also looking for a new space that is safe, Sheffield is one of the cities with the lowest crime rate when compared to others. This is very reassuring to know when your children do grow up and want to venture out, so that you can feel a little more at ease here.

If you are considering Sheffield, look into housing in areas such as Dore and Ecclesall.

Norwich

This is often an overlooked option compared to the pillar cities that are more widely known and spring to mind more. However, Norwich is an underestimated option for families with little ones. If you are looking to move to save money then Norwich is not only a cost-of-living haven but also extremely safe for families.

Norwich is often forgotten about because a lot of people don’t view it as a city; it offers a small-town vibe without the craziness of a city centre. It’s also right near the coast which offers families a different outdoor scene from other cities. Enjoy coastal walks and lovely summer days by the coast, which not many cities can say they can offer.