The best places to live in the UK
Abi Harman
16 December 2017
The best places to live 2017
The annual Halifax Quality of Life Index has ranked all the districts across the UK to find out where living standards are highest. The research looked at 24 categories including average earnings, employment, health, life expectancy, personal wellbeing, education and broadband speed. Here are the top 20 places to live, and what it costs to live in them.
20. Rugby
The second largest town in Warwickshire, Rugby has jumped up the list by 12 points this year. With lower than average house prices, it also has a high employment rate of 82.2%.
Rugby's average house price: £249,243
The average house price of £249,243 can get you a three-bedroom detached property in Rugby. This home, in Cawston, is on sale for £250,000.
19. Chiltern
The district of Chiltern in Buckinghamshire is the 19th best place to live for quality of life according to the Halifax survey, moving down nine places compared to last year. Outside of London it has the highest weekly earnings at £989.
Chiltern average house price: £499,999
This bungalow comes in at a bit below the average price in Chiltern, at £475,000. A new build with two bedrooms and ample parking it is located in the market town of Amersham.
18. City of London
It'll come as no surprise that the main reason London features anywhere near the top 20 is because of earnings. The average weekly earnings for the City of London stand at £1,128 per week, compared to the UK average of £655 per week. However, those living in the City of London have some of the smallest homes in the UK, with less than four habitable rooms, compared to the UK average of 5.5.
City of London average house price: £670,071
For the average price of £670,071, you won't get more than a flat in the City of London. This two-bed, open-plan apartment in Aldgate is on the market for £674,999
17. East Hertfordshire
People living in this district enjoy great health and life expectancy, with women expected to live until the grand age of 85 and a half. It also has a good employment rate of 80.7.
East Hertfordshire average house price: £415,073
This three-bedroom bungalow, located in the sought after area of Bishop's Stortford, is what you can buy for just below the average price of £415,000 in East Hertfordshire.
16. Tonbridge and Malling
This Kent district has continually jumped up the table, now reaching 16th place. The area isn't cheap to live in, but its residents are some of the happiest across the nation.
Tonbridge and Malling average house price: £363,075
This amazing townhouse will set you back £375,000, which comes in at £11,925 more than the average home. However, the four bedrooms and parking will be great for a growing family.
15. St Albans
People living in this charming commuter town enjoy better than average earnings, employment, education and low crime levels. It also has the one of the highest proportions of adults with higher level qualifications such as a degree and is in the top six for highest-paid residents in the UK with average weekly earnings at £1,018 per week.
St Albans average house price: £559,667
A budget of £550,000 will buy you this three-bedroom detached home in St Albans. Just under the average price for the area, it sits on a generous plot that leaves room for an extension.
14. South Oxfordshire
South Oxfordshire has dropped just one place this year. The area, which includes Wallingford and Henley on Thames, boasts higher than average weekly earnings, good employment rates, longer than average life expectancy, a safe environment to live and high levels of personal wellbeing.
South Oxfordshire average house price: £448,332
For £450,000, this cottage in South Oxfordshire could be yours. Set back from the road for some peace and quiet, the two bedrooms, one reception room and bathroom all overlook the courtyard garden.
13. Westminster
It'll come as no surprise that Westminster has some of the highest weekly earnings in the country at £1,166 per week. However it also has some of the smallest houses in the country, with less than four habitable rooms, compared to the average number in the UK of 5.5.
Westminster average house price: £685,080
Living in Westminster will always be expensive, but you will have central London to be on your doorstep. This one-bedroom flat in the heart of Westminster is on the market for £695,000, around £10,000 less than the average sale price in the area.
12. Ryedale
Ryedale in North Yorkshire has one of the lowest anxiety rates at just 2.2. It also boasts one of the lowest population densities at just 35 people per square kilometre. The perfect place for some peace and quiet.
Ryedale average house price: £218,670
This Grade II-listed cottage is on sale for just less than the average selling price in Ryedale at £210,000. The two-bedroom stone front building is full of character and is just a few miles away from the popular town of Helmsley.
11. Uttlesford
This Essex district, coming in at 11th, is home to the biggest houses, with an average of 6.4 habitable rooms in each. This is as well as great education, long life expectancy and high life satisfaction. No wonder it's moved up 24 places on the list this year.
Uttlesford average house price: £429,689
Just over £400,000 will get you a great sized modern family home in the district of Uttlesford. This three-bedroom home is on the market for £410,000, £19,689 below the average price in the area. It comes with a generous two parking spaces and three bathrooms.
10. Stratford-upon-Avon
The birthplace of William Shakespeare, the district of Stratford-upon-Avon is steeped in history and culture. It scored highly in happiness, broadband speed and the number of fitness clubs.
Stratford-upon-Avon average house price: £320,068
In Stratford-upon-Avon you can get this modern semi-detached, three-bed property for £325,000.
9. Richmondshire
Richmondshire, a district in North Yorkshire, covers a large area of the Yorkshire Dales including Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.
The average number of pubs in the UK is 10.1 per 10,000 adults, but Richmondshire is near the top with an average of 24.
Richmondshire average house price: £184,927
A pretty cottage in Richmondshire will set you back £185,000, which is just above the average house price. This two-bedroom bolthole is on a quiet lane in the old village of Gayle.
8. Craven
The district of Craven in North Yorkshire, which is centred on the local market town of Skipton, boasts the happiest adults in the UK, with adults rating their life satisfaction at a high 8.5. The district, which was placed at 64 in 2016, also comes out top for adults being the least anxious, with an average rating of 2.0.
Craven average house price: £224,620
For just a touch over the average house price in Craven, you could buy this four-bedroom town house for £249,950. Built in 2017 and spanning over three floors, the property is surrounded by idyllic countryside.
7. Waverley
The district of Waverley in Surrey has a few large towns including Godalming, Farnham and Haslemere. Although the area's employment rate levels fluctuate, it does well in all other categories, especially broadband, where 92% of homes have a broadband speed of 5Mbps or more.
Waverley average house price: £484,588
This charming cottage in Waverley could be yours for £485,000. Overlooking a pond, it has two bedrooms and a front rose garden.
6. Wokingham
Wokingham has risen three places after sitting in ninth place last year. The district in Berkshire boasts better than average scores for health, with 97% or more households rating themselves in good or fairly good health, making it joint first in that category.
Wokingham average house price: £444,654
Even though not huge, this family home is up for sale at £437,850 in Wokingham. A new-build, you'll get three bedrooms, parking and an open plan kitchen/diner area.
5. Winchester
The district of Winchester in Hampshire won the top spot in last year's survey, but this year has come in at fifth. It has dropped in three out of the four categories in the ONS personal well-being survey but still scores strongly on employment rate, earnings and life expectancy.
Winchester average house price: £429,572
In Winchester, you could purchase this three-bedroom semi-detached house for £435,000. Slightly over the average house price, the interiors are brand new with fully integrated appliances.
4. Wychavon
The fourth best place to live in the UK is this Worcestershire district, which includes the towns of Pershore, Droitwich Spa and Evesham. It's gone down a spot from its third place last year.
Wychavon average house price: £261,045
At £240,000 this four-bedroom, en-suite detached house is a whole £21,045 under the average house price for Wychavon, reflecting the lower than average house prices in the area.
3. Rutland
The district of Rutland is one of the places in the UK with the biggest homes, with a massive 6.4 habitable rooms in each house on average. And it's moved up all the way from 28th place last year.
Rutland average house price: £310,393
You can purchase this detached three-bed period home for £300,000, under the average house price for the area. Even though it may need some renovation, the plot comes with plenty of land to extend, and river views. It's located in the sought-after village of Ryhall.
2. Orkney Islands
Staying firmly in second place from last year, the Orkney Islands in Scotland were boosted by the highest employment rate in the UK at 87%. It also has the highest spending rate per school pupil £9,662, which is reflected in the district's excellent exam results.
Orkney Islands average house price: £168,091
This extended cottage full of charm and character could be yours for just £170,000. Just over the average house price in Orkney, you'll get 1.2 acres of your own land and free electricity from a wind turbine.
1. Hart
The tranquil district of Hart in north-east Hampshire regained the top spot in this year's survey, taking the crown for the fifth time in six years. It catapulted to the top due to its residents' health, with 97% feeling fit and well. It also has one of the highest employment rates in the UK with eight in ten 16-64-year-olds in work, with weekly earnings of £844 on average. What's more, Hart is also lucky enough to have a good climate, with 32.5 hours of sunshine every week.
Hart average house price: £419,231
For £415,000, just under the average house price, you would be able to buy this compact but stylish three-bed semi-detached house in Hart. Complete with a master en-suite and a single garage, it would be a comfortable family home.
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