The small town that is one of the best places to live in the UK | United Kingdom | News
A beautiful Scottish town has been named among one of the happiest places in Britain, with homes costing an average of £214,000, according to a new report.
Rightmove Annual Report on the happiest places to live in Britain surveyed 35,000 people, asking them what they think of their area.
They expressed their views on topics such as the pride they feel in the place they live, their sense of belonging, their community spirit and their ability to be themselves.
Respondents were also asked about their ability to earn enough money to live comfortably in their neighborhood, their rating of public transportation, sports and leisure, as well as green spaces and arts and cultural activities, according to our partner newspaper.
Stirling, a town in central Scotland straddling the highlands and lowlands, has been named the happiest city in the country and the 13th in the UK.
The study, now in its 13th year, found houses there had an average asking price of £214,441, the lowest of the 15 happiest locations.
Its average asking rent per calendar month was estimated at £1,227, which also happened to be one of the cheapest in the UK’s ‘happy’ neighborhoods.
The town took over from Galashiels in the Borders, which had held on to the top spot in Scotland for happiness for two years.
Although Stirling is Scotland’s smallest city, it is full of grandiose architecture, stunning scenery, and various Braveheart battlefields surrounding it.
The epic medieval Stirling Castle still stands today, towering over a rocky volcanic outcrop, having once guarded a key crossing point on the River Forth.
It also has a rich royal history, having once been home to the Scottish monarchy. It was also a military base for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlands until 1964.
The vaults, great hall and royal palace are among the major architectural highlights, allowing visitors to follow in the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots.
But despite the splendor of the scenery that surrounds it, Stirling is just 30 minutes by train from the center of Glasgow and 50 minutes from Edinburgh, making it an ideal commuter town.
Rightmove said the report indicates that, overall, residents in Scotland, Wales and the South West were most satisfied with where they live.
People living in the East and West Midlands were found to be the least happy. Those aged 18 to 24 were most likely to say they thought they would be happier living in another area. According to the report, those 55 and older said they were the least susceptible.
Woodbridge, in the east of England, was found to be the happiest overall, with the average asking price for a house averaging £441,569, while the average advertised rent is £1,478 per calendar month.
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 Humber, £394,312, £1,439
6. Skipton, Yorkshire and 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
