Moving to the UK from India can be incredibly exciting but with so many different cities, towns and villages to choose from, finding the right place to settle can be tricky. Today we’re sharing our guide to the best places to live in the UK for Indian expatriates. 

The UK explained

The United Kingdom is made up of four separate countries; England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and all of these countries have their own cultures, laws and, in some cases, languages and currencies. Because of this, finding the right place to live in the UK as an Indian expatriate is of paramount importance in terms of culture and way of life. 

Best places to live in England for Indian expatriates

England is a diverse and dynamic country which offers many opportunities to Indian expatriates – including many Indian communities which can help you to make friends and network. Some of the most prolific Indian communities in England are: 

The West Midlands

The West Midlands has some large Indian expat communities in major towns and cities, including: 

Birmingham

The heart of the West Midlands, Birmingham is one of the UK’s most dynamic cities with plentiful employment and some Indian expat communities including areas such as Handsworth and Aston. Even a quick Google search will provide you with lots of Facebook groups and other helpful forums which will help you to find friends, accommodation and even work in this popular city. 

An extremely vibrant area of the UK, Birmingham has lots of restaurants, including vegetarian and vegan options as well as some great schools for the little ones. Birmingham is incredibly easy to access by road or by train and has 11 Hindu temples dotted around the city. 

London

We can’t, of course, talk about moving to the UK without mentioning London. England’s capital is made up of many small towns and communities; all with something different to offer. The centre of London – known as The West End is a dynamic hub of theatres, restaurants, bars and music venues as well as one of the world’s most famous parks – Hyde Park. 

Moving away from the centre, there are many established Indian communities full of young professionals in areas such as Southgate (in north London) and Southall (in West London) and you can find lots of information about these online. There are many Hindu temples in London and, even if there isn’t one on your doorstep, you’ll find one just a bus or tube ride away.  

Best places to live in Wales for Indian expatriates

With a population of 3.136 million people, Wales has its own government and its own language which is spoken in many regions of the country, although most large towns and cities also speak English. 

Wales has some stunning countryside and is a popular holiday resort but also has some of the world’s most exciting cities including Cardiff with lots to do and see including numerous theatres and music venues. Indian communities in Wales can be found in many areas such as Cardiff and Newport and there are many forums and social media groups and Cardiff has several Hindu temples for worshippers (these can also be a really good place to make friends and to network). 

Swansea

With just as much going on as Cardiff, Swansea is a little quieter and on of the cheapest in the UK and is home to around 2900 Asian people. There are two major Hindu temples in Swansea and so if this is an important part of your life, it’s a good idea to try to find accommodation with easy access to these. 

Best places to live in Scotland for Indian expatriates

Known throughout the world for its warm welcome, sense of culture and unique accents, Scotland is a great place to live, work and raise a family. This unique country is made up of smart cities and gorgeous villages and hamlets and, some of the best places to live in Scotland for Indian expatriates are: 

Edinburgh

Scotland’s trendiest city is a thriving hub of culture and modern living. Edinburgh has great transport links, including an airport and can be reached by train from London in just four hours. 

While Edinburgh is a fantastic place to live, homes within the city centre can be quite pricey so you may want to set your sights on the smaller towns on the outskirts of Edinburgh instead. Edinburgh has two Hindu temples within the city centre. 

Glasgow

Scotland’s second city is steeped in history and rejuvenation over the past few decades have turned Glasgow into a fantastic place to live. Over 50,000 people of South Asian origin already live in this gem of a city and, if you fancy joining them, there are lots of online groups (including on Facebook and LinkedIn) to help set you on your way. 

There are a few Hindu temples in Glasgow and these can be found online. In comparison to Edinburgh, accommodation here is reasonably priced and the city offers plenty of work and good schools and universities. 

If you’re thinking of making your new home in Glasgow, be aware that the very strong Scottish accents can take a little getting used to !

Best places to live in Northern Ireland for Indian expatriates

Not to be confused with the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland is part of the UK and at just 115 square kilometres in size is a great place to live and raise a family. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to live in Northern Ireland for Indian expatriates: 

Belfast

The capital city of Northern Ireland may have had its problems in the past but these days, Belfast is a diverse and modern place to live and is home to 19,130 Asian and British Asian people. 

Belfast – and in fact the whole of Northern Ireland – has a complex history but, in 2024, this is a very safe and welcoming place to live. It’s also usually easy to find work here as well as good schools.

Londonderry

If you prefer to live somewhere which has a slightly gentler pace of life, Londonderry is a great choice. A historic walled city, Londonderry is a pretty city with lots going on and is home to one temple – The Derry Gurdwara. 

Moving to the UK is a big decision which should never be taken lightly. Before choosing the place to make your new home, it’s a good idea to join forums and Facebook groups which will put you in touch with Indian expatriates who already live in the area and who will be able to help you in terms of what to expect. 

It’s also worth noting that the UK is made up of different areas with many different accents which can be quite difficult to get used to at first. 

Keeping it legal and above board

When moving to the UK you will almost need a visa in order to be able to live and work here. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the right visa before you arrive in the country and you can find information about the different options available online. 

It’s also a really good idea to familiarise yourself with the British laws and customs so that you know what to expect from a new life in the UK. 

Making the move

Life in the UK offers many opportunities but you will almost certainly find that many things are different than back home and it may take you some time to adjust. 

It’s important to carefully research your chosen location(s) as, in the UK, factors such as schools and crime rates can vary widely. 

Social media groups and forums can really help you to become acclimatised as well as giving you the opportunity to meet new people and so joining some of these before your move is highly recommended.