Placetrics
Neighbourhood · Cardiff · Wales

Pen-y-lan North

Cardiff 024 · 4 sub-areas · 6,517 residents

Cardiff 024 is a residential neighbourhood within Cardiff, home to around 6,500 people and skewing noticeably older than the city as a whole. A typical two-bedroom flat lets for around £1,070 a month — below the UK national median for a 2-bed and relatively accessible by Cardiff standards. The area's standout trait is its high work-from-home rate, with over four in ten residents working remotely.

Best for Young professionals (59/100)Watch-out: Solo renters (51/100)Liveability 26/100 · Below median

Pen-y-lan North is a green, lower-density part of Cardiff — parks within walking distance of most addresses, a slower weekday rhythm, and a population skewed toward longer-tenure households rather than transient renters. The population skews older, with a long-settled feel and a high share of retirees; a high share of adults are degree-educated, which often shows up in the kind of jobs people commute to.

2-bed rent
£1,068/mo+4.8%
1-bed £894 · 3-bed £1,186
Crime / 1k / yr
34.4
Best 10%
Best hub commute
24 min
Direct to Cardiff
Good schools 2 km
0%
1 schools within 2 km
Liveability
26/100
Below median
Population
6,517
4 sub-areas

Overview

Overview

What's it like to live in Pen-y-lan North?

A snapshot of Pen-y-lan North

Day-to-day life sits close to greenery — a park or playing field is within easy walking distance of most addresses; The streets feel safe by national standards — police-recorded crime is well below the country-wide median; Transport links are limited — a car or e-bike is a practical assumption for most regular trips; rents are roughly in line with the national norm, at around £1,157 a month for a typical home; gigabit broadband is effectively universal.

Generated from the latest May 2026 data · refreshed automatically

Figures are aggregated across 4 sub-areas — population-weighted means for rates, sums for counts. Sources cited beneath each section.

Pen-y-lan North in Cardiff

Overview

Living in Pen-y-lan North

Cardiff 024 has a quieter, more settled character than the student-heavy or city-centre parts of Cardiff. The population leans older — more than a quarter of residents are 65 or above, and the under-35 crowd makes up a smaller share than you'd expect in a Welsh capital. That shapes the feel of the place: less late-night noise, more owner-occupied houses, fewer house-shares.

On rent, Cardiff 024 sits at the more affordable end. A two-bedroom home runs around £1,070 a month, which comes in below the UK national median of roughly £1,200 for a 2-bed. Three-bedroom properties average about £1,190. The challenge is that even at these levels, rent absorbs a significant chunk of take-home pay — around 56% of median resident income, which is a real squeeze and a reminder that affordability is relative to local wages, not just London comparisons.

The demographic mix here is notably settled. Nearly half of residents hold a degree-level qualification (around 47%), and the ethnic diversity index sits at 34, which is moderate. The majority of residents — around 85% — were born in the UK. Single-person households account for roughly 29% of homes, while couples with children make up about 21%, pointing to a mix of older singles, established couples and families.

Practically, most people here drive — nearly half of residents get to work by car. The nearest mainline rail station is roughly 2 km away (about a 25-minute walk, or a short drive), connecting to Cardiff city centre and beyond. The rail journey to London takes around 2 hours 16 minutes by public transport. Broadband coverage is strong, with over 80% of properties able to access gigabit-speed connections. See the streets and sub-areas below for more detail on specific pockets within Cardiff 024.

Set up your move

What you'll need on day one

Set up your home
Slot
Compare broadband at Pen-y-lan North
See providers, speeds and prices for this postcode
Compare deals
Set up your home
Slot
Switch energy on your move-in date
Compare gas + electricity tariffs
Switch tariff
Cover your stuff
Slot
Renters' contents insurance
From £5/month — bundle with car or pet cover
Get a quote
Plan your move
Slot
Compare removal quotes
Get instant quotes from rated local firms
Get quotes
Peers

Compare Pen-y-lan North with

FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Cardiff 024 a nice place to live?
It's a calm, settled residential area that suits people who want a quieter life within Cardiff. Crime runs at roughly half the national average, greenspace is close by, and broadband is strong. The trade-off is that nearby schools don't currently carry Good or Outstanding ratings, and rent absorbs a significant share of local incomes — around 56% of median take-home pay.
What is the rent in Cardiff 024?
These are estimated figures scaled from city-level data. A one-bedroom runs around £894 a month, a two-bedroom around £1,070, and a three-bedroom around £1,190. Rents rose about 4.8% over the past year. For context, the UK national median for a 2-bed is roughly £1,200, so Cardiff 024 sits slightly below the national average.
Is Cardiff 024 safe?
Yes, relative to national benchmarks. Recorded crime runs at around 39 incidents per 1,000 residents annually, compared to a UK national rate of roughly 80 per 1,000. That puts Cardiff 024 comfortably below the national average and makes it one of the quieter parts of Cardiff by crime data.
What's the commute from Cardiff 024 to Cardiff city centre?
The nearest mainline rail station is roughly 2 km away — about a 25-minute walk or a quick drive. Most residents commute by car (around 48%), and over 40% work from home entirely. Public transport mode share is low at just 3%, so if you're relying on buses or trains exclusively, it's worth checking your specific route before moving.
Who lives in Cardiff 024?
Mainly older, settled residents — over a quarter are 65 or above, and the area skews heavily toward owner-occupation. Around 47% hold degree-level qualifications, and the high work-from-home rate (40%) points to a knowledge-economy professional population. It's less student-heavy and more family-and-retiree than many Cardiff neighbourhoods.
What schools are near Cardiff 024?
There are four schools within typical catchment distance, but none are currently rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted — which is a significant gap given that roughly 89% of UK schools nationally hold one of those ratings. The nearest Outstanding school is around 25 km away. Families should check current inspection results carefully before making a decision.
How far is Cardiff 024 from London?
The rail and public-transport journey to London takes around 2 hours 16 minutes from the nearest mainline station, which is roughly 2 km from the neighbourhood. Cardiff Central connects to London Paddington via Great Western Railway. For regular London commuting it's manageable but a long day — more suited to occasional trips than a daily commute.
Looking elsewhere? Back to Cardiff · Browse the map