UK’s ‘happiest places to live’ revealed – but is your hometown on the full list?

The uber trendy area, considered one of the East’s ‘gems’, was scored particularly high by locals who feel they’re able to truly be themselves in the area – and for its community spirit

The UK’s “happiest place to live” has been revealed as a vibrant port town brimming with amenities – where residents feel they “can be themselves”.

The super-trendy Woodbridge, considered one of Suffolk’s ‘gems’, was scored particularly high by locals who feel they’re able to truly be themselves in the area, and for its community spirit and friendliness. The town was also heavily praised for its access to essential services such as doctors, or schools, according to Rightmove, which compiled the report.

Next on the list was the London borough of Richmond upon Thames, down from the winning spot last year. Hexham in Northumberland, a previous winner, was ranked third. Mayor of Woodbridge, Councillor Robin Sanders, said: “The happy mood of residents is a reflection of the vibrant town centre.”

Jamie Curran, director at IP Properties in Woodbridge, said: “The amenities Woodbridge has to offer in my eyes are second to none; having boutiques, coffee shops, public houses and highly reviewed restaurants all within walking distance of each other is amazing.”

Monmouth was crowned the happiest place to live in Wales, while Stirling came on top in Scotland. According to Rightmove, residents in Scotland, Wales and the South West are most happy with where they live, while those in the East and West Midlands are the least happy.

Gen-Z (18 to 24-year-olds) were the most likely to say they thought they would be happier living in a different area, while those aged 55-plus were the least likely. Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert, said: “It’s the younger generation who are most likely to say they would be happier living somewhere else, many of whom have to travel to cities for education or to find their first jobs.”

The happiest places to live in 2024 – plus average house prices and monthly rent:

1. Woodbridge, East of England, £441,569, £1,478
2. Richmond upon Thames, London, £939,329, £3,131
3. Hexham, North East, £313,147, £840
4. Monmouth, Wales, £320,974, £1,335
5. Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, £394,312, £1,439
6. Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber, £263,479, £1,030
7. Sevenoaks, South East, £881,061, £2,924
8. Leigh on Sea, East of England, £465,542, £1,796
9. Cirencester, South West, £384,013, £1,495
10. Wokingham, South East, £590,949, £2,120
11. Winchester, South East, £578,760, £2,069
12. Stirling, Scotland, £214,441, £1,227
13. Stratford-upon- Avon, West Midlands, £413,115, £1,604
14. Horsham, South East, £458,641, £1,983
15. Kendal, North West, £285,645, £966
16. Kensington and Chelsea, London, £1,667,573, £5,345
17. Chorley, North West, £197,199, £883
18. Hove, South East, £555,193, £1,993
19. Wandsworth, London, £865,205, £3,159
20. Hitchin, East of England, £510,612, £1,730

Regional rankings in the study – plus the overall ranking across Britain in brackets:

East Midlands

1. Chesterfield (63)
2. Nottingham (130)
3. Derby (133)
4. Northampton (142)
5. Lincoln (145)

East of England

1. Woodbridge (1)
2. Leigh on Sea (8)
3. Hitchin (20)
4. St Albans (50)
5. Clacton on Sea (52)

London

1. Richmond upon Thames (2)
2. Kensington and Chelsea (16)
3. Wandsworth (19)
4. Westminster (24)
5. Southwark (46)

North East

1. Hexham (3)
2. Newcastle upon Tyne (59)
3. Darlington (90)
4. Sunderland (143)
5. Durham (150)

North West

1. Kendal (15)
2. Chorley (17)
3. Altrincham (29)
4. Chester (34)
5. Macclesfield (49)

Scotland

1. Stirling (12)
2. Dumfries (35)
3. Perth (39)
4. Galashiels (45)
5. Dundee (47)

South East

1. Sevenoaks (7)
2. Wokingham (10)
3. Winchester (11)
4. Horsham (14)
5. Hove (18)

South West

1. Cirencester (9)
2. St Ives (23)
3. Dorchester (26)
4. Weymouth (33)
5. Cheltenham (43)

Wales

1. Monmouth (4)
2. Llandudno (22)
3. New Quay (28)
4. Llandrindod Wells (38)
5. Anglesey (48)

West Midlands

1. Stratford- upon-Avon (13)
2. Leamington Spa (21)
3. Lichfield (27)
4. Sutton Coldfield (36)
5. Worcester (58)

Yorkshire and the Humber

1. Harrogate (5)
2. Skipton (6)
3. Whitby (25)
4. York (30)
5. Leeds (70)