The UK’s ‘happiest place to live’ has been revealed — and it’s in London

Richmond’s plentiful greenery helped it secure top spot (Picture: Getty Images) While Londoners are renowned for rarely cracking a smile, residents of one affluent borough are bucking the trend. According to a recent survey by Rightmove, Richmond upon Thames in the south-west of the capital is now the happiest place to live in the whole country. Over 24,000 people were polled on 13 ‘happiness factors’ about their area, with Richmond taking home the title for a second time after becoming the first London winner in the company’s 12th annual Happy at Home Index back in 2023. The borough — which includes locations like Twickenham, Hampton and Barnes — scored highly for a sense of pride, essential local services, and access to shops and restaurants, as well as access to green space. Richmond upon Thames is roughly half parkland, home to Bushy and Richmond Royal Parks, as well as Kew Gardens and the WWT London Wetlands Centre. The research found that proximity to nature was one of the biggest indicators of happiness, with those in rural areas or near Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty proving more satisfied than those in urban locales. The south-west London borough is almost half parkland (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Ready to start your homebuying journey? You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. This, alongside a sense of belonging and community, were judged as more important than access to things like public transport, shops, restaurants schools and job opportunities. Richmond also features a number of attractions such as Hampton Court Palace, while residents make the second-highest wage in London — so it’s no wonder Ted Lasso (manager of fictional football team AFC Richmond) is so famously jovial. Mayor of Richmond upon Thames councillor, Nancy Baldwin, commented: ‘This recognition is especially meaningful because residents highlighted their pride in the local area, our beautiful parks and green spaces, and the local services they rely on every day. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘Above all, it is our people and communities that make Richmond special.’ Picturesque Harrogate nabbed second place (Picture: Getty Images) Living there comes at a price, though, with the average Richmond home selling for £885,542 over the past 12 months according to Rightmove. Thankfully, that’s not the case across the UK. Second place on the property site’s 15th annual ranking was taken by Harrogate in North Yorkshire, followed by Cirencester in Gloucestershire, where the average respective sale prices of £386,970 and £414,768 are far more realistic for the average. Buying in the Welsh winner, Monmouth, works out even more budget-friendly at £349,054, while in Kirkcaldy, ranked happiest place in Scotland, the figure sits at a mere £172,045. Would you want to live in Richmond upon Thames, the happiest place to live in the UK? Absolutely! It sounds lovely.Check It seems nice, but it might be too pricey for me.Check No, I'd prefer somewhere less urban.Check Sign up to Metro’s The Key newsletter for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home. Commenting on the results, Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: ‘Richmond stands out for offering a combination many people value: easy access to nature and green spaces, without having to give up local services, places to eat and shop, or employment opportunities. ‘That balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. ‘Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important. ‘This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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