A Berkshire city has been ranked as essentially the most depressing place to dwell in Britain, based on a yearly happiness examine by Rightmove.
Slough, which is situated equidistant between London and Studying, was ranked backside of its annual record of the happiest locations to dwell in 2024 – an inventory comprising some 220 areas.
The examine, now in its thirteenth 12 months, was accomplished by greater than 35,000 folks throughout the nation.
Questions included whether or not they felt proud to dwell of their space, whether or not they had a way of belonging, and whether or not they felt they might ‘be themselves’.
Having the ability to afford to dwell comfortably, good public transport connections, sports activities and leisure actions, and a way of group spirit have been additionally essential.
Whereas many areas throughout Britain clearly regard their native space fondly, some residents in Slough don’t appear to take that view, based mostly on Rightmove’s evaluation.
> When will rates of interest fall once more? Forecasts on when base price might be minimize
Rightmove’s Blissful at Residence Index asks residents how they really feel about their space based mostly on a number of happiness elements – it was accomplished this 12 months by over 35,000 folks
Regardless of this notion amongst residents, Slough is not an inexpensive place to dwell.Â
The typical asking value of a property in Slough is presently £411,820, based on Rightmove, whereas renters face common rental costs of £1,824 per property.Â
Each are above the nationwide common. The everyday asking value is £366,592 whereas for renters the common hire outdoors of London is £1,348 a month.
Nonetheless, for all of the issues Slough scores badly on, there might be few who can dispute its sturdy transport connections.
On its web site, Slough Borough Council factors to the truth that inside 10 minutes drive of Slough is the M25, Europe’s busiest street.
The Council additionally says Slough is inside a ten minute drive of Heathrow Airport and a 20 minute practice journey to Paddington Station in central London. Apart from that, Slough additionally boasts the most important buying and selling property in Europe.
The following most depressing city to dwell in within the UK, based on Rightmove’s happiness index, is Bradford in Yorkshire and Humber.
However once more it isn’t all doom and gloom for the residents of Bradford. The town has been chosen because the UK’s Metropolis of Tradition for 2025.
It can host greater than 1,000 new performances and occasions, based on Put money into Bradford web site.
Bradford can also be less expensive than most UK areas. The typical asking value is £181,791, based on Rightmove, whereas renters can bag a property for £940 a month on common.
> One of the best buy-to-let mortgages for landlordsÂ
My sort of city: You may know simply the place you are heading, as Slough is equidistant between London and Studying
The third most depressing place to dwell in Britain is Barking and Dagenham, based on Rightmove.
The east London borough is among the extra reasonably priced components of the capital, with common asking costs solely a bit above the UK common at £375,970.
Nonetheless, its residents clearly take the view that you simply get what you pay for given it appeared in Rightmove’s index.
>Â Finest mortgage charges for first-time patrons: How lengthy ought to they repair for?
The Least Finish: Barking and Dagenham was ranked 218 out of 220 areas in Rightmove’s annual Blissful at Residence Index
Different depressing hotspots embody 4 different better London boroughs. Croydon, Brent, Newham and Bexley.
Residents in Brent might really feel they aren’t getting worth for cash given common asking costs within the north west London borough are £610,182 and common rental houses cost £2,393.Â
Three areas within the West Midlands additionally made the highest 10 most depressing locations to dwell within the UK.
Dudley, Walsall and Birmingham made the record. All three supply property costs beneath the UK common. The typical asking value in Birmingham is £255,410.Â
>Â How one can remortgage your property: Your information to discovering the very best deal
Remorseful? Walsall completed 215 out of 220 areas in Rightmove’s annual Blissful at Residence Index
What are the happiest locations to dwell? Â
On the alternative finish of the dimensions, Woodbridge in Suffolk has topped Rightmove’s annual record of the happiest locations to dwell in Nice Britain for the primary time.
Residents of Woodbridge scored it notably extremely for feeling that they can be themselves within the space. In addition they preferred the group spirit and friendliness of the folks, and entry to important providers similar to medical doctors and faculties.Â
Woodbridge lies near the River Deben in Suffolk. It’s additionally situated on the sting of the Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths Nationwide Panorama.Â
Within the index as a complete, residents who mentioned they lived close to a Nationwide Panorama, previously often known as an Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence, mentioned they have been happier of their space than those that didn’t.
The typical asking value for a house in Woodbridge is £441,569, whereas the common marketed hire is £1,478 per calendar month.
Smug: Woodbridge in Suffolk has topped Rightmove’s annual record of the happiest locations to dwell
Robin Sanders, mayor and chair of Woodbridge City Council mentioned: ‘It was a pleasure to listen to Woodbridge has been ranked because the happiest place to dwell.Â
‘The pleased temper of residents is a mirrored image of the colourful city centre encompassing quite a few listed buildings occupied by many unbiased outlets, pubs and eating places, a long-established and movie business famend unbiased cinema and, not least, a thriving historic and distinctive riverside space to benefit from the vista onto the attractive and internationally designated, and guarded, setting of the tidal River Deben estuary.Â
‘The city residents with youngsters have entry to wonderful state and public faculties within the city, nicely run sports activities services and all residents get pleasure from and take part in frequent cultural occasions organised and supported by the city council within the parks and public open areas.’
The London borough of Richmond upon Thames got here in second place having topped the desk final 12 months, whereas Hexham in Northumberland, a earlier winner, got here in third.
Monmouth is as soon as once more the happiest place to dwell in Wales, whereas Stirling tops the record for Scotland.
Some hyperlinks on this article could also be affiliate hyperlinks. When you click on on them we might earn a small fee. That helps us fund This Is Cash, and hold it free to make use of. We don’t write articles to advertise merchandise. We don’t enable any business relationship to have an effect on our editorial independence.
