London borough loses ‘happiest place to live’ title to a seaside town

That old adage, “money can’t buy happiness” may just have been proven right by the crowning of a small seaside town where house prices average £441,569 as the chirpiest in Britain.

Woodbridge in Suffolk has stolen the title from last year’s decidedly more affluent winner Richmond upon Thames, where property sales hover around £939,329 – more than double the cost for, perhaps, just a smidge less happiness.

Of course, Richmond has plenty of charms, not to mention handy commuter links – hence its number two spot in Rightmove’s annual “Happiest place to live” study, which surveys more than 35,000 people across the country to single out the most joyful place to put down roots.

Mirror reporter Cyann Fielding headed to the streets of Richmond to see just how palpable that supposed happiness was this summer, and one resident, Jill, stood out from the stereotypically antisocial Londoners who were seemingly at odds with the 2023 results.

“[I love] the convenience,” Jill said, “Everything is on my doostep, I have banks, I have a post office, I have three cinemas, two theatres, restaurants and open spaces, including Kew Gardens, Richmond Park and the river.”

But those attractions weren’t enough to secure a victory for the pretty London suburb two years in a row. Perhaps the small town feel of Woodbridge, which has a population of around 9,774, pushed it over the finish line – with Rightmove citing community spirit and friendliness as major reasons for its top ranking, a remarkable ascension from its number 17 spot last year.

Easy access to services including the doctor and schools also factored into its decisive victory, alongside a general feeling that locals are “able to be themselves”, according to the Rightmove report. Home to the world-famous Sutton Hoo archaeological site, Woodbridge also has a lively foodie and retail scene, with Mayor Robin Sanders suggesting that “the happy mood of residents is reflective of the vibrant town centre”.

Both Richmond and Woodbridge’s high rankings can be correlated with a general trend towards higher-scoring spots being in rural locations, however, reaffirming long-drawn links between time spent in nature and a sense of wellbeing.

Rightmove’s study was launched 13 years ago and asks people across Britain how proud they are of where they live as well as how they would rate public transport, green spaces and artistic and cultural activities in their area, among other criteria.

This year’s results show a trend towards happier communities in Scotland, Wales and  the South West, with the lowest scores record in the East and West Midlands.

The majority of the towns and cities ranking in the top 20 have average house prices under £5,000, with Chorley in the North West, which replaces Woodbridge at number 17, charging buyers around £197,199. Meanwhile the only entry outdoing Richmond’s £900k estimate is Kensington and Chelsea, where getting your foot on the ladder costs an eyewatering £1,667,573.