Rightmove has just unveiled its annual Happy At Home Index, showing the 20 happiest places in the UK. Topping the list is Northumberland market town Hexham.
The historical town crowned the happiest place to live in the UK is located in the northern parts of England between Newcastle upon Tyne and Carlisle. Not only does Rightmove's index record the most contented British towns, but it also presents key factors to consider when buying a house.
Hexham voted happiest place to live in the UK
Hexham is in fact known for being a feel-good place to live, having been given the same accolade by Rightmove in 2019. Last year, St Ives pipped it to the post.
In this year's survey, which had 21,000 participants, locals noted the town's access to nature and how friendly and polite people are. The average asking price for a home in Hexham is £297,088, around £45,000 lower than the national average.
Aside from proximity to Hadrian's Wall, house prices, and the friendliness of the locals, Hexham meets the most important factor in feeling happy where you live: a sense of belonging.
'Hexham is thrilled to be awarded the happiest place to live in Great Britain,' says Mayor of Hexham Derek Kennedy. 'We are a small town with great history, Hexham Abbey and other historical buildings and our Market Place is 800 years old.
'There is a wonderful community spirit, people are very supportive of one another,' says Derek. He mentions community interest groups and organised sport such as the weekly Parkrun.
The Rightmove Happy At Home Index also showed that being able to be yourself was an important factor to feeling happy where you live. Unsurprisingly, those on the coast were happier than people living in similar homes inland.
10 Happiest places to live in the UK
- Hexham
- Richmond
- Harrogate
- Hove
- Llandrindod Wells
- Stirling
- Monmouth
- St Ives
- Anglesey
- Leamington Spa
For anyone wondering when is the best time to buy a house and where to relocate to, the study offered one reassuring finding that people who moved were happier, wherever they went. Although, a large 81% of those who moved from a town to a village said they were happier.
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