The happiest place in the UK? It's not London

Woodbridge in Suffolk has been named the happiest place to live in the UK for the first time in 2024, topping Rightmove's annual list. Rightmove, an online property portal, conducts an annual survey to discover what factors contribute to people's happiness in their homes and communities.

The study was completed by more than 35,000 residents across Britain, who rated their local areas based on factors such as local amenities, transport links, and community spirit. Rightmove's analysis found that feeling proud to live in an area was the biggest driver of overall satisfaction with a home and community.

The Sun, Sky News, The Guardian, The Mirror reported on the survey, among other news outlets. 

Residents of Woodbridge scored highly for community spirit, friendliness, and access to essential services such as doctors and schools, contributing to its title as the happiest place to live, as noted by The Guardian. The town is praised for its vibrant town centre, which encompasses numerous listed buildings occupied by many independent shops, pubs, and restaurants. "The happy mood of residents is a reflection of the vibrant town centre," said Councillor Robin Sanders, Mayor of Woodbridge, according to The Sun.

Woodbridge is a riverside town with a rich history dating back to 1086, when the Domesday Book recorded a small settlement there, as reported by The Mirror. It is located on the banks of the River Deben, eight miles from the coast, and is close to the Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscape. The proximity to natural environments contributes to residents' happiness, with those living near rural locations such as woodlands or national parks reporting higher levels of satisfaction, Liverpool Echo notes.

The town is approximately 74 miles northeast of London and provides easy access to the city. Woodbridge has its own train station from where commuters can reach Liverpool Street Station in 90 minutes, according to MyLondon.news. This accessibility adds to the appeal for those who work in the city but prefer to live in a more relaxed setting.

"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," said Jamie Curran, director at IP Properties in Woodbridge. He is cited by The Guardian. 

Rightmove's study indicated that residents in Scotland, Wales, and the South West were most happy with where they lived, according to The Independent. Stirling was ranked first in Scotland as the happiest place to live, placing twelfth overall. In Wales, Monmouth was crowned the happiest place to live, ranking fourth on the Great Britain top 20 list, with an average asking price of £320,974 and an average monthly rent of £1,335, according to Wales Online Cariad.

Affluent areas like Richmond upon Thames and Sevenoaks feature in the top ten happiest places to live, but happiness isn't solely determined by high property values. Rightmove's 2024 data shows that more affordable locations such as Hexham, Skipton, and Stirling also rank highly, according to The Sun.

"For over a decade we've been asking residents what makes them feel happy about where they live, as feeling happy is about more than the home itself. It's the intangible factors of feeling proud to live in an area, feeling a sense of belonging, and feeling able to be yourself that are the biggest drivers of happiness," stated Tim Bannister, Rightmove's property expert, as reported by Liverpool Echo.

The study revealed that living near family and friends was found to be less important to overall satisfaction, with Rightmove's analysis indicating it as the smallest driver, according to Sky News. Important factors contributing to happiness include feeling a sense of belonging and being able to be oneself, Liverpool Echo notes.

Woodbridge's access to natural landscapes also contributes to residents' happiness. It is near Sutton Hoo, the site of one of the most important archaeological finds of the Anglo-Saxon era, as reported by The Guardian. The Suffolk Coast Heaths are brimming with wildlife and walking trails, making them ideal for dog owners, according to MyLondon.news.

"The town residents who have children have access to excellent state and public schools in the town, well-run sports facilities, and all residents enjoy and participate in frequent cultural events organised and supported by the town council in the parks and public open spaces," Councillor Sanders said, as stated by Liverpool Echo.

Woodbridge's average asking price for a home is £441,569, with an average monthly rent of £1,478, as reported by The Mirror. Despite higher property values in some areas, Rightmove's data shows that the happiest places to live aren't solely determined by housing costs, according to The Sun.

Residents of Woodbridge expressed that they feel they can be themselves and rated their community spirit and friendliness highly in the Rightmove survey, as noted by Sky News. This sentiment reflects the overall findings of the study, which emphasize the importance of social factors over material ones in determining happiness.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq