The best places to live in the UK
Find your happy place

Choosing where to put down roots might be one of the toughest and most important decisions you’ll ever make and weighing up the benefits of a location can be difficult. Whether you are looking for good schools, amazing restaurants or want to stay near your loved ones, there's a perfect somewhere for everyone.
Settling down in 2018

Southeast

Shortlist: Berkhamsted, Chadlington, Deal, Guildford, Hambleden Valley, Lewes, Lymington, Midhurst, Much Hadham, Petersfield, Olney, Ripley, Sevenoaks, Stockbridge, Wendover.
Overall, house prices in the southeast have dropped in the last year. With the rise in popularity of commuting to London, many are willing to pay for a fast train and even a seat. With Crossrail on the way, the shift in the southeast is due to change but for now, residents are happy with a village life and an easy commute.
And the winner is... Berkhamsted

Average house price: £377,940

East

Shortlist: Bedford, Bourn, Bungay, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Hadleigh, Orford, Norwich, Saffron Walden, Wivenhoe, Woodbridge, Wymondham.
It has only been in the last year or so that Londoners have realised the east is within commuting distance of the capital. Many of the shortlisted locations are a big draw for families due to good East Anglian schools. Meanwhile, new entrant Hadleigh was chosen for its period homes and big-sky views.
And the winner is... Chelmsford

Average house price: £337,210

Midlands

Shortlist: Birmingham, Buxton, Fiskerton-cum-Morton, Lincoln, Malverns, Market Harborough, Shrewsbury, Shipston-on-Stour, Stamford, Warwick.
The Midlands is a mixture of lively cities, quaint villages and market towns, so there is something for everyone. Property prices tend to be dependent on access to London rather than how close it is to the second city, Birmingham.
And the winner is... Shipston-on-Stour

Average house price: £238,190

London

Shortlist: Clapton, Fulham, Furzedown, Herne Hill, King's Cross, Notting Hill, Richmond, Tufnell Park, Wanstead.
The average house price in London has risen by 350% since 1998 and is now 14.5 times the typical salary. First-time buyer hotspots are moving further away from the city centre and in 2019 Waltham Forest will be named as London's first Borough of Culture.
And the winner is... Bermondsey

Average house price: £526,380

Northwest

Shortlist: Altrincham, Chester, The Heatons, Heswall, Kirkbylonsdale, Knutsford, Liverpool, Manchester, Ramsbottom, Ribble Valley, Saddleworth.
Manchester is a city in the throes of transformation, with flats, offices and regeneration zones popping up, which means it now has more going for it than just football and music. Young professionals in the city centres are looking to move out to suburbs such as Bury and Levenshulme, which will help move them upmarket.
And the winner is... Altrincham

Average house price: £201,560

Wales

Shortlist: Abergavenny, Abersoch, Colwinston, Laugharne, Monmouth, Mumbles, Penarth, Presteigne, Saundersfoot, St Davids
In 2017, property prices in Wales outperformed every other region in the UK, rising by 8%, according to Halifax. A lot of this
is due to an overspill of house hunters from last year's overall winner Bristol, which had a price boom in 2017. The Welsh economy is also flourishing and the number of first- and second-time buyers is on the rise as many get priced out of Cornwall and Devon.
And the winner is... Mumbles

Average house price: £185,240

Scotland

Shortlist: Aberdour, Aboyne, Black Isle, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Melrose, North Berwick, Orkney, Wigtown.
More people in Scotland are choosing to live outside of the capital due to house prices and flocking tourists. The East Lothian Coast with its lovely beaches and open space is worth settling down in.
And the winner is... Melrose

Average house price: £188,120

North and northeast

Shortlist: Alnwick, Beverley, Durham, Leeds, Malton, Newcastle, Pateley Bridge, Skipton, Tynemouth, Wetherby, York.
The north and northeast aren't benefitting from a building boom like Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. Many towns made the list due to the efforts of local communities that have found ways to raise their town's reputation, with Malton being a great example. The small town has recently become known as the food capital of Yorkshire thanks to its huge selection of gourmet businesses.
And the winner is...Tynemouth

Average house price: £189,420

Southwest

Shortlist: Bodmin Moor, Bridport, Bristol, Falmouth, Frome, Marlborough, Stroud, Tavistock, Tisbury, Totnes, Wadebridge.
In a region famed for its seaside towns, they are notably absent in the shortlist, showing just how difficult it is for holiday hotspots to have year-round appeal.
And the winner is... Frome

Average house price: £280,310

Northern Ireland

Shortlist: Belfast, Holywood, Newcastle, Portrush, Strangford.
There is a lot to celebrate in Northern Ireland, including the city of Belfast, which is as independent as ever and only a short distance from the seaside or countryside scenery. Many of Northern Ireland's wealthiest residents also base themselves in Holywood, along what is known as the gold coast.
And the winner is... Belfast

Belfast, specifically the east corner known as Ballyhackamore, is a great place to settle down and bring up children: it was recently named as one of the best value UK cities to buy a family home. The new Belfast Rapid Transit system is set to whizz commuters into the city centre on bendy buses from September, which will boost the area even more.
Average property price: £155,050

And the overall winner is... York

Having been denied the top spot in previous years due to its lack of modernisation, the historic city of York has become a mini-metropolis and grabs the top spot for 2018. The UK's first 'Gigabit City', it offers broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps which has attracted talent from software designers to researchers. Foodies can head to Shambles market, which was given a £1.5 million facelift and offers independent shops, Middle Eastern street food and, of course, free wi-fi. The two universities also offer a vibrant mix of people.
Average house price: £301,320

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