How much does your location influence your happiness? When you step outside, does where you live fill you with joy?
If not, not to worry. Now in its 11th year, the Happy at Home survey is the ultimate guide to how content us Brits are in our hometowns – and whether we should be eyeing up a move elsewhere.
The results of the 2022 survey are now live, and it may come as no surprise to fans of the classic British staycation which town won the title of the happiest place to live.
With some of the best beaches in the country nearby, crystal clear waters that could rival the Mediterranean and an abundance of culture on their doorstep, the happiest people in the UK are the cheery residents of St Ives, in Cornwall.
This corner of England’s south west coast has been an important fishing port since the mediaeval era, and settlements have been discovered nearby dating back thousands of years. Tourism is now one of the area’s most important industries, although the slow-paced style of living remains.
Life may be sweet, but it certainly won’t come cheap. According to Right Move, properties in St Ives had an overall average price of £516,124 over the last year – 12% up on the previous year and 17% up on the 2020 peak of £439,568.
St. Ives, CornwallGetty Images
The cost of living may be high, but so are the spirits – according to the residents who participated in the survey. The sense of community is strong in this area of Cornwall, and many people report a sense of belonging.
Whether you’re eyeing up a permanent move or a dalliance with the Cornish coast as the days get longer, local highlights include visits to the Tate Gallery and explorative afternoons on the historic St Ives Bay Line.
Rain or shine, Porthmeor beach is a hub of activity. Spot seals out at sea on a boat trip, beach-hop with a picnic blanket and a bag stocked with homemade goods from a local shop, or soak up the sunshine from one of the many beach cafés, ice cream in hand.
Some of the other happiest places in Britain include Galashiels in the Scottish borders (second place) and the quaint market town of Woodbridge in Suffolk (third place).
It comes as little surprise that the happiest place to live in London, and the 11th happiest place overall in the UK, is the leafy borough of Richmond upon Thames. The area offers riverside restaurants, spectacular deer-filled parks, and some of the cosiest pubs around – all within easy reach of central London. If you’re wondering what the happiest countries in the world are, then look no further than our list, where the Nordic countries reign supreme.
