The Cornish seaside city of St Ives has been topped the happiest place to reside in Britain.
The favored summer time vacation location knocks Hexham off the highest slot, having alternated with the Northumberland market city for first place since 2019.
St Ives is ranked prime in 2022 after scoring extremely on a number of elements, together with how a lot individuals really feel a way of belonging to their space and whether or not there’s entry to inexperienced area.
The happiest locations to reside in Britain have been highlighted by property web site Rightmove in its annual survey
Pictured: The favored Cornish seaside city of St Ives has been topped as is the happiest place to reside in Britain by Rightmove
St Ives residents scored it extremely for its sense of group spirit, the sense of belonging the residents have, and the way comfy residents really feel to be themselves.
A way of belonging in an space is the primary issue that contributes to somebody feeling pleased the place they reside, in response to Rightmove, which surveyed 21,000 individuals as a part of its annual research.
Paul Le Bas, of St Ives property brokers Millerson, mentioned: ‘St Ives has a vibrant and lively area people that throughout the winter months get pleasure from all of the native golf equipment and leisure services.
‘Throughout the summer time months we get to benefit from the three award successful seashores and nice surf at Porthmeor whereas becoming a member of in with the vacation makers.
‘All 12 months spherical we’re in a position to go to the wonderful eating places and café bars. And the coastal walks are second to none.
‘From Porthminster spherical to Clodgy the views are gorgeous as you look out over the turquoise seas. And because the seasons change, so does the city. The ocean exhibits its energy with its Northly swells pounding the seashores and the city turns into a winter wonderland of festive lights for Christmas.
Because the pandemic began, demand for properties has vastly outstripped provide in lots of coastal areas resembling St Ives.
Whereas this pattern eased this 12 months, enquiries to purchase a house in Cornwall are nonetheless 9 per cent larger than in 2019, in response to Rightmove.
It has contributed to rising costs within the space. The typical asking value for a house in St Ives is £523,731, which is 6 per cent larger than final 12 months when it was £492,870. It compares to the common worth of a house in Britain of £366,999.
Pictured: Galashiels within the Scottish Borders is second on this 12 months’s listing of the happiest locations to reside in Britain
Galashiels within the Scottish Borders is second on this 12 months’s listing, which is the primary time an space from Scotland has been ranked within the prime three since 2016, and the market city of Woodbridge in Suffolk is third.
Residents of Galashiels scored it notably extremely on the friendliness and politeness of the individuals, and it got here prime on this space in Britain.
Alice Brown, of the Borders’ property brokers Rettie & Co, mentioned: ‘It’s no shock that Galashiels is so liked by its residents. It’s the largest of the Border cities, with a inhabitants of round 15,000.
‘Its central placement within the Borders makes it a well-liked location for households, giving a relaxed lifestyle whereas being in a commutable distance of Edinburgh through both the Borders Railway, bus or automotive.’
She added: ”Steeped in historical past, Galashiels has all kinds of housing from basic interval properties to new builds, providing one thing for each kind of purchaser. The countryside surrounding Galashiels additionally has a lot to supply, particularly for these with an curiosity in rural pursuits resembling strolling, path operating, biking, and wild swimming.
‘By way of leisure, a wide range of facilities are on the doorstep, together with a cinema, gyms, a swimming pool, supermarkets, impartial retailers, cafes, a retail park, eating places and well-regarded colleges. The not too long ago established Heartland Market brings collectively the city and native companies.’
Pictured: Woodbridge in Suffolk additionally seems on this 12 months’s listing of locations the place residents in Britain are the happiest
| Rank | Place | Area | Common Asking Value | Common Asking Lease (pcm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Ives | South West | £523,731 | £1,152 |
| 2 | Galashiels | Scotland | £153,546 | £530 |
| 3 | Woodbridge | East of England | £481,978 | £1,196 |
| 4 | Hexham | North East | £262,265 | £810 |
| 5 | Perth | Scotland | £179,410 | £812 |
| 6 | Harrogate | Yorkshire and The Humber | £381,124 | £1,327 |
| 7 | Anglesey | Wales | £324,048 | £766 |
| 8 | Bury St Edmunds | East of England | £334,160 | £1,368 |
| 9 | Stirling | Scotland | £197,075 | £990 |
| 10 | Cirencester | South West | £382,065 | £1,331 |
| 11 | Richmond upon Thames | Higher London | £1,153,347 | £3,931 |
| 12 | Falmouth | South West | £373,752 | £1,289 |
| 13 | Monmouth | Wales | £331,844 | £1,104 |
| 14 | Leamington Spa | West Midlands | £383,553 | £1,274 |
| 15 | Worcester | West Midlands | £286,250 | £1,059 |
| 16 | Northwich | North West | £246,995 | £942 |
| 17 | Altrincham | North West | £615,246 | £2,297 |
| 18 | Macclesfield | North West | £292,078 | £1,146 |
| 19 | Newbury | South East | £380,842 | £1,364 |
| 20 | Llandudno | Wales | £260,245 | £760 |
| Supply: Rightmove | ||||
In the meantime, Anglesey is the happiest place to reside in Wales, and Richmond-upon-Thames is as soon as once more the happiest place to reside in London, coming prime for an eighth 12 months in a row.
Richmond topped the listing for its entry to sport and leisure actions and scored the best out of any London space for its entry to nature and inexperienced areas.
HOUSES FOR SALE IN THE SEASIDE TOWN OF ST IVES
We check out some properties on the market within the Cornish seaside city of St Ives, which has been topped the happiest place to reside in Britain.
1. 4-bed home, St Ives, £1.65m
This four-bedroom home in St Ives has far-reaching views throughout the seaside city and its harbour. It boasts loads of authentic options, together with crittall home windows and ornate fireplaces.
The property is available on the market for £1.65million and is being offered by The Trendy Home property brokers.
This in depth indifferent property is within the pleased location of St Ives and comes with 4 bedrooms, together with a price ticket of £1.65million
The household dwelling boasts a shocking location within the in style Cornish seaside city, with far-reaching views throughout its harbour
2. 4-bed home, St Ives, £650,000
This four-bedroom terrace cottage in St Ives has 4 bedrooms and three loos. It’s a stones throw to the seashores within the city.
The property is on the market for £650,000 and is being offered by Miller Countrywide property brokers.
This four-bedroom terrace cottage in St Ives has 4 bedrooms and three loos, and only a stones throw from the seashores
The basic seaside cottage has a contemporary twist inside and is on the market for £650,000 through Miller Countrywide property brokers
3. Two-bed home, St Ives, £350,000
This two-bedroom cottage is within the centre of St Ives and is in one of many city’s most picturesque cobbled streets.
It’s available on the market for £350,000 and the sale is being dealt with by Miller Countrywide property brokers.
This two-bedroom cottage is within the coronary heart of St Ives and will be present in one of many city’s most picturesque cobbled streets
The quaint cottage requires some updating and is available on the market for £350,000, with the sale being dealt with by Miller Countrywide
Pictured: The Northumberland market city of Hexham has dropped from the highest slot however nonetheless options excessive within the listing
This 12 months’s research was carried out amid the price of dwelling disaster, which is one thing that was mirrored within the survey outcomes.
One in 5 renters mentioned they deliberate to maneuver within the subsequent 12 months to get higher worth for cash of their space, together with 16 per cent of patrons.
One in ten tenants mentioned they have been shifting to cut back power prices, rising to 12 per cent for patrons.
When contemplating what was most necessary concerning the property they may transfer to, a backyard is most necessary to patrons – at 29 per cent. Tenants, nonetheless, are extra involved concerning the power prices of the property at 20 per cent.
Picutred: Perth in Scotland is a well-liked amongst pleased residents, in response to the Rightmove survey
Harrogate in North Yorkshire is within the listing of locations the place residents are among the many happiest in Britain, in response to the survey
A way of belonging was crucial issue
Whereas there are undoubted challenges going through each patrons and renters the survey discovered first-time patrons are nonetheless decided to get onto the ladder, chopping again on going out and utilizing much less fuel and electrical energy to assist them to nonetheless have the ability to save up for a deposit.
In the meantime, working from dwelling or hybrid working has change into a extra everlasting a part of life this 12 months because the survey discovered 65 per cent of individuals mentioned they have been in a position to make money working from home.
Rightmove information exhibits each patrons and renters have change into extra versatile of their seek for a brand new dwelling, growing the radius of the situation that they’re enquiring about, with the flexibility to make money working from home a possible contributor to this.
Tim Bannister, of Rightmove, mentioned: ‘This 12 months’s survey actually exhibits that the issues that make individuals pleased to reside of their space aren’t a lot the bodily points of that space however extra the non-public points, resembling our sense of belonging, the group and the individuals.
‘The previous few months have undoubtedly been troublesome for a lot of, and as we realized throughout one other troublesome interval in 2020, that is typically after we look to our native space and group for help and happiness.’
Separate figures this week revealed the areas by which individuals can launch essentially the most money by downsizing to a smaller dwelling. The analysis by property brokers Jackson-Stops recognized one of the best areas to downsize in throughout England and Wales. Main the best way was Elmbridge in Surrey, a district that features Cobham and Weybridge, with a mean fairness windfall of £805,428.
