The happiest places to live in Great Britain have been revealed, but there’s not much room for the West Midlands. Only Stratford on Avon appeared in the top 20, with Leamington Spa just missing out, and Birmingham languishing far down the list – meanwhile, Suffolk’s Woodbridge came out on top.
Right Move’s annual Happy at Home Index surveyed over 35,000 people across Great Britain to find out what they love (and don’t love) about where they live. Also at the top of the list was Richmond upon Thames (2nd) in Greater London, Hexham (3rd) in the North East, Monmouth (4th) in Wales, and Harrogate (5th) in Yorkshire.
The survey, which is now in its 13th year, measures how residents feel about their local area across 15 key happiness factors. These range from togetherness within the community and access to green spaces, to a sense of belonging that a place fosters and practical things, like nearby schools, doctors, and shops.
“There are some interesting trends revealed by this year’s study, such as how those who live in a rural location are more likely to be happy than urban dwellers, who often live in busy cities,” said property expert, Tim Bannister. “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.”
How did Birmingham do?
Look away now, because Birmingham was named the 211th happiest place to live in Great Britain. That’s only slightly better than Walsall (215th) and Dudley (217th). It’s not too much worse than Coventry (189th) and Wolverhampton (192nd), so if you fancy moving somewhere far happier that’s not a million miles away, you could consider Lichfield (27th) or Sutton Coldfield (36th)
Realistically though, based on this annual list, moving to Stourbridge (93rd) or Tamworth (122nd) would lift your spirits. If Right Move’s theory that “rural locations are more likely to be happy than urban dwellers” is correct, it might be time to start thinking of moving out of the city. Then again, you’d miss out on all the incredible things that Birmingham has to offer. Trust me, as someone from the countryside, it’s dull.
The happiest places to live in the West Midlands (national rank):
- Stratford on Avon (13)
- Leamington Spa (21)
- Lichfield (27)
- Sutton Coldfield (36)
- Worcester (58)
- Telford (72)
- Hereford (86)
- Stourbridge (93)
- Shrewsbury (103)
- Stafford (118)
- Tamworth (122)
- Solihull (138)
- Coventry (189)
- Wolverhampton (192)
- Stoke on Trent (202)
- Birmingham (211)
- Walsall (215)
- Dudley (217)
To see all the happiest places to live in Great Britain head here.