Many deciding factors contribute to how good a place is to live, including the average annual living costs and wages for an area, as well as school ratings, crime figures, etc. Here are some of the best places to live in the UK, did your hometown make the cut?
York
The city of York has been named one of the best places to live multiple times over the years, including by The Times and the BBC. The ancient city is full of history, and standing tall in the middle is the 800 year old York Minster. Most of the city is car-free, so despite thousands of people visiting each year, the city is less noisy and less polluted than many other cities in the UK. Despite looking old fashioned, York has thousands of shops and restaurants, and an exciting nightlife. If you are a fan of theatre, the city has two large theatres where you can watch plays, musicals, opera’s and even comedians. York also has a low unemployment rate, one of the world’s leading universities, and a range of fantastic secondary and primary schools.
Edinburgh
Not only is Edinburgh the capital of Scotland, but it is also one of the best places to live in the UK. This comes as no surprise as the city has low crime levels, a low unemployment rate and a great education system. Plus, despite it being a capital city, living costs and house prices are much lower than people would expect. Although Edinburgh has a great public transport system with buses and trains, it is also easy to get around the city just by walking or cycling.
Cornwall
If you love the seaside and have always fancied living in a picturesque location, then Cornwall could be the place for you with 300 miles of coastline. The county is full of independent businesses and hundreds of trails for walking and cycling. Plus, the county has one of the lowest crime rates.
Brighton
Brighton is not only one of the best places to live but also one of the best places to start a business. So if you are looking to make a move or set up a business, Brighton should be near the top of your list. Living on the seafront in a vibrant and exciting city is great, but what makes it better is it has some of the best schools in the UK, as well as two universities.
Narberth
In 2020 The Sunday Times declared Narberth one of the best places to live in Wales, as this beautiful and friendly town is unlike any other based in Pembrokeshire. The town is full of independent businesses and friendly locals, so you are unlikely to go anywhere without having a nice neighbourly chat. The towns employment rate, school and health system, and even broadband speeds were taken into consideration.
Hertford
A survey has found that people who live in East Hertfordshire have the best quality of life, with the county’s popular market town of Hertford being one of the best locations due to its resident’s high life expectancy. Additionally, Hertford has a fantastic health care system, high average income, and a great school system where students get strong exam results.
Solihull
Solihull is a market town with no shortage of things to do. The town itself has hundreds of shops, including a large shopping centre, and is a short drive from the National Motorbike Museum. But more importantly, the town is home to the National Exhibition Centre, where hundreds of events occur each year. The towns residents also have a high life expectancy, a low employment rate, and several highly regarded schools.
Dundee
This impressive Scottish city may seem small, but it has beautiful views, lots of tourist attractions and is described by many locals as the perfect location to balance their work and family lives. The city has a university and countless schools that are well regarded in the community. Living expenses in Dundee are also lower than most large cities, and who doesn’t want to live on the coast?
Liverpool
In the past, Liverpool has also been named by The Sunday Times as one of the best places to live. The city has a vibrant art scene and nightlife, with multiple tourist attractions, including museums, statues, and theatres. In the city centre, you are welcomed with hundreds of shops, but there are also dozens of parks and outdoor playgrounds on the outskirts of the city. Liverpool also has multiple universities and lower living costs than most UK cities.
Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds has been voted the happiest place to live in East England by Rightmove and one of the best places to live in East England by the Sunday Times. The town has dozens of schools, many of which have an Outstanding, if not Good Ofsted report. There are also hundreds of stores in the towns historic streets that surround the cathedral and additional store holders on a Wednesday or Saturday when the market is on.
