Sedgemoor is among the most happiest places to live in the UK, according to a new national newspaper study published this week.
The Daily Telegraph has published a list of the UK’s ‘happiest areas with the most affordable homes’ using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Sedgemoor – which includes the Burnham-On-Sea area – ranks at number 4 in the whole of Britain.
The newspaper asks what makes people happy: “For many, it seems to be open landscapes and fresh air. The happiest places to live, according to the Office for National Statistics, are mostly in rural locations, on the coast or within national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”
“Staffordshire Moorlands, West Somerset and Mid Suffolk all have house prices that are lower than their regional averages. They are largely sparsely populated and, in the main, far from urban conurbations, making for a more challenging commute.”
Frances Clacy, a research analyst at Savills, adds: “This analysis highlights that, despite the rise of urban living in recent years, those living in more rural locations appear to be happier than those in cities. Lifestyle is clearly a factor, but it’s also important to consider the demographic of local residents. These locations are likely to be popular with older and perhaps more affluent buyers who have retired.”
The paper says: “Sedgemoor in Somerset, which comes fourth on the list, shares elements in common with Suffolk. It is bookended by two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Quantock Hills in the south west and the Mendip Hills in the north east. The latter is increasingly popular among families who are looking for more open space and a better quality of life than in more “congested” counties closer to London. This has all been helped by the rise of flexible working, too.”
The article goes on to quote agents Greenslade Taylor Hunt saying that Burnham has much to offer, adding: “There’s also a busy calendar of events with a food festival and cinema, plus Bristol Airport is only 20 miles away.”
The study is a welcome boost after a negative survey in consumer magazine Which? last weekend which said Burnham was ranked at number 95 of 97 in a survey of seaside resorts. Critics said the survey was flawed as only 3,000 people took part for the whole UK.
