‘Not surprised’ estate agent hails working in ‘Happiest Town’

The town of Woodbridge in Suffolk has been crowned the happiest place to live in Great Britain for the first time as part of Rightmove’s annual Happy at Home Index and Jamie Curran (pictured) of local firm IP Lettings says he is ‘not surprised’.

The study, now in its 13th year, was completed by 35,000 people across the UK and asked residents how they feel about how they like abouit their patch.

Community spirit

Residents of Woodbridge scored it particularly highly for being able to ‘be themselves’ in the area as well as its community spirit, the friendliness of the locala and its access to essential services such as doctors, or schools.

In second place is the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, last year’s winner, while Hexham in Northumberland, also previously topping the study, came third.

Monmouth is once again the happiest place to live in Wales, while Stirling tops the list for Scotland.

It’s the intangible factors of feeling proud to live in an area, feeling a sense of belonging.”

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert said: “First place Woodbridge appears to have a lot of the factors that people are looking for from an area, including being close to a river and a National Landscape.

“It’s the intangible factors of feeling proud to live in an area, feeling a sense of belonging, and feeling able to be yourself that are the biggest drivers of happiness.”

Curran, who is a director at IP Lettings says: “It comes as no surprise that the wonderful Woodbridge has come so high on the Happy at Home rankings.

“Woodbridge’s position within Suffolk offers such multiple purposes for all residents, whether you’re a single occupant wanting a quiet lifestyle within close distance to London, or a family wishing to live close to the river and needing good schools.

Boutique

“The amenities Woodbridge has to offer in my eyes are second to none; having boutiques, coffee shops, public houses and highly reviewed restaurants all within walking distance of each other is amazing.”

He adds: “Having a business within Woodbridge over the past ten years has proven to me why it is a wonderful place and why more people want to live here.”

Read the Happy at Home Index.