A pocket of the UK has been named the ‘happiest place to live’, and house prices are much cheaper there than the national average. With many people set to move homes this year, they may be looking at which parts of the country appeal best to them.
The latest research by eXp UK, the platform for personal estate agents, has analysed Gov.uk data on the happiest places to live in the UK, as well as looking at the average cost of a property, to reveal where offers the best mix of a happy life and an affordable foot on the ladder.
North Kesteven, a rural district in Lincolnshire which covers sparsely populated villages to the south of Sleaford to the more densely-populated Lincoln fringe in the north, has been named the best pocket of the UK property market for homebuyers. It is described as being perfect for those looking for a content life without breaking the bank.
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The area has been ranked as the no.1 ‘happiest place to live’ boasting a happiness score of 8.09. What’s more, the average value of a home is £257,199, some -12 percent more affordable than the wider UK average of £292,059.
Malvern in the West Midlands is the second happiest place in the UK with a score of 8.06, however, at £329,679, the average cost of a home is some 13 percent higher than the UK average.
Malvern is amongst the UK’s ‘happiest places to live’ -Credit:Getty Images
Homebuyers can also look to Pendle in the North West, also boasting a happiness score of 8.06, but with an average house price half that of the UK average at £146,516.
Cannock Chase, also in the West Midlands, boasts a happiness score of 8.04, whilst the average value of a home is -21 percent below the UK average.
Mid Ulster in Northern Ireland and Highland in Scotland are also amongst some of the happiest places to live in the UK, where the average value of a home comes in -38 percent and -25 percent below the UK average respectively.
However, homebuyers would do well to steer clear of Adur in the South East. At 6.16, it ranks as the least happy area of the UK and, what’s more, the average house price of £370,796 is 27 percent more than the UK average.
Head of eXp UK, Adam Day, commented: “With house prices continuing to climb and the cost of borrowing remaining far higher than many buyers have become accustomed to, it’s understandable that those in search of a home in 2025 may currently have a case of the January blues.
“The good news is that when it comes to the happiest places in the UK, a good proportion also boast a more affordable property price tag when compared to the national benchmark and, in fact, 5 of the top 10 happiest places are home to more affordable property prices.”