Do you feel proud to live in your area? Do you feel there’s a real sense of community spirit? Do you think the locals are friendly and polite? These are the questions Right Move has been asking to find the happiest places to live in Great Britain. Unfortunately, Bristol didn’t make the list, but somewhere only an hour from the city did.
The annual Happy at Home Index, now in its 12th year, asks people what makes them happy about where they live. This year, more than 26,000 people living in towns, cities and villages across Great Britain replied to the survey from Right Move. Significant factors that contribute to happiness, included ‘I feel a sense of belonging’, ‘I can be myself’, ‘Nature and green spaces’, ‘Artistic and cultural activities’ and ‘Sports and recreational activities’.
Coming in fifth on the top 10 happiest areas was Cirencester. As the largest town within the Cotswolds, lying on the River Churn, it’s easy to see why locals love it. From its honey-coloured houses to the stunning Church of St. John Baptist, the 3,000-acre Cirencester Park, and a hub of exciting shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes – it’s got that Cotswolds charm, with a little more infrastructure.
Other happiness factors include, ‘Employment opportunities and desirable jobs’, ‘Essential local services e.g. doctors, schools’, ‘Non-essential amenities e.g. restaurants, shops’ and ‘Public transport connections i.e. bus, train, tram’. Cirencester then ticks all the boxes. The happiest place to live in Great Britain, however, is the London area of Richmond upon Thames. The city of Winchester in Hampshire is in second place, and the town of Monmouth in Wales is in third.
Right Move’s ‘property expert’, Tim Bannister, said: “Searching for new areas outside of the city that are still commutable on office days and looking for cheaper properties that are in need of renovation are just some of the actions we’ve seen determined movers take this year. With the results of this year’s study highlighting that residents continue to value living near green spaces and natural beauty, estate agents who are not already doing so should consider making sure that they clearly highlight nearby green spots to appeal to potential buyers.”
Not everyone is so happy to live where they are, however, around 1 in 3 (30%) of residents think they would be happier living in a different area. Over half of those would even consider moving to an entirely different region of Great Britain – with coastal areas of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset the most popular options.
The 10 happiest places to live in Great Britain
- Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
- Winchester, South East
- Monmouth, Wales
- Wokingham, South East
- Cirencester, South West
- Skipton, Yorkshire and The Humber
- Hemel Hempstead, East of England
- Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London
- St Ives, South West
- Hexham, North East
To read more about Right Move’s Happy at Home Index head here.