We all know that money can’t buy you happiness. What money can do, however, is buy you a lovely big house in one of the smile-inducing spots that have just been named the UK’s happiest places to live. And that’s basically the same thing, right?
The happiness-hunters over at Rightmove have (for the 14th year in a row) scoured the length and breadth of the country to uncover where in the UK has the most cheerful residents. They surveyed over 35,000 peopleasking each of them the things they love about where they live.
Basing their research on 15 key happiness factorsRightmove then managed to collate their findings into a handy list called the ‘Happy at Home Index’. And two London locales managed to earn themselves a comfy spot on that list.
Rightmove’s 2025 Happy at Home Index
You may remember that back in 2023, a London borough nabbed the crown for the very first time. 2024 then saw Richmond get marginally pipped to the post by a historic town in Suffolk. And unfortunately, the same thing has happened again. Richmond upon Thames, once again, came in second place (always the bridesmaid, and all that), this time being narrowly beaten by a serene spot perched on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. I mean, I reckon I’d feel pretty pleased with myself too if I lived within touching distance of a National Park.
Skipton in North Yorkshire topped the charts as the UK’s happiest place to livesoaring from its number 6 spot on last year’s list. Skipton is frequently dubbed the ‘gateway to the Dales’ and was praised for its glorious greenspace, friendly locals, and access to schools and doctors. Our ravishing Richmond maintained its second place position and cool and quirky Camden managed to find itself in the third spot on the list. Not too shabby, hey?
The UK’s happiest places to live
- Skipton, North Yorkshire
- Richmond upon Thames, London
- Camden, London
- Harrogate, North Yorkshire
- Woodbridge, Suffolk
- Altrincham, Cheshire
- Macclesfield, Cheshire
- Stirling, Scotland
- Cirencester, Gloucestershire
- Hexham, Northumberland
