It cannot have the bright lights of London or Edinburgh, or even the celebrity or notoriety of some of the better known towns and cities of Great Britain.
But everyone in Woodbridge in Suffolk seems to agree on one thing: he is happiest living in Britain. At least that’s the conclusion of the property survey website Rightmove.
His study, now in its thirteenth year, involved more than 35,000 people across Britain, when residents were asked how they felt about their area.
The residents of Woodbridge were particularly affected by it as they felt they could “be themselves” in the area, the common spirit and friendliness of the people, and access to essential services such as teachers and schools.
The analysis found that feeling proud of living in the area was the biggest driver of overall satisfaction – while living close to family and friends was far less important.
On the banks of the River Deben, eight miles from the coast, Woodbridge dates back to 1086, when the Domesday Book mentions a small settlement there. It is also near Sutton Hoo, the site of one of the most important archaeological finds of the Anglo-Saxon era – a Viking ship that was used in burial chambers. The ship was described the richest early medieval tomb in Europe.
The mayor of Woodbridge, Councilor Robin Sanders, said the happy mood of the town’s residents was “a reflection of the vibrant town centre”.
Jamie Curran, director at IP Properties in Woodbridge, said: “The amenities Woodbridge has to offer are second to none in my eyes; having boutiques, cafes, public houses and highly-regarded restaurants all within walking distance of each other is amazing.”
the burg of Richmond upon the Thames, second to London; but it is at the top of the last yearHexham, a former winner in Northumbria, was third preferred.
In other findings from the report, Monmouth was crowned as the most successful resident of Wales, while Strivelling came to Scotland.
I came in 40th in London, 50th in Edinburgh, 53rd in Glasgow, 57th in Birmingham, 62nd in Aberdeen, and 66th in Belfast.
Rightmove said its study showed that overall those living in Scotland, Wales and the South West were the happiest where they lived, while those in the East and West Midlands were the least happy.
The Gen-Z generation (18- to 24-year-olds) were most likely to say they would be happier living in another country, while others were less likely.
Tim Bannister, property expert at Rightmove, said: “It’s the younger generation who are most likely to say they’d be happy living elsewhere, many of whom are moving to cities for education or finding their first jobs.”
The research also indicated that the type of environment that made residents the happiest was a rural location by a forest or forest, or close to a National Park or National Landscape.
Home sweet home, the 20 happiest places to live
Here are the 20 happiest places to live in 2024, according to Rightmove, which tracks the average asking price for a house and the average rent per month;
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WoodbridgeEast of England, £441,569, £1,478
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Richmond to the ThamesLondon, £939,329, £3,131
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HexhamNorth East, £313,147, £840
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MonumethensWales, £320,974, £1,335
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ArrogantIbor and Humber, £394,312, £1,439
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SkiptonIbor and Humber, £263,479, £1,030
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SevenoaksSouth East, £881,061, £2,924
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Read on the SeaEast of England, £465,542, £1,796
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CirencesterSouth West, £384,013, £1,495
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WokinghamSouth East, £590,949, £2,120
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WinchesterSouth East, £578,760, £2,069
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StirlingScotland, £214,441, £1,227
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Stratford-upon-AvonWest Midlands, £413,115, £1,604
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HorshamSouth East, £458,641, £1,983
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KendallNorth West, £285,645, £966
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Kensington and ChelseaLondon, £1,667,573, £5,345
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ChorleyNorth West, £197,199, £883
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HereSouth East, £555,193, £1,993
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WandsworthLondon, £865,205, £3,159
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HitchinEast of England, £510,612, £1,730