Rightmove a UK property portal and marketplace has just announced Scotland’s happiest places to live. Every year the website asks people in Great Britain to tell them how they feel about where they live. People are asked what they love about their local areas, and what makes a place really feel like home.
The annual survey is now in its 11th year, and this year heard from more than 21,000 people living in towns, cities and villages up and down the nation. Residents score their local areas on things like community spirit, and how much access they have to nature and green spaces, as well as artistic and cultural activities. This year has seen a Scottish location score among the top three places for the first time since 2016.
The Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders town Galashiels has been awarded second place in the survey, scoring particularly highly on the friendliness and politeness of its locals. In terms of average prices, it also has the most affordable house prices out of all the areas that made the top ten. The average asking price of a home in Galashiels is £153,546. Galashiels real estate agent, Alice Brown, says: “Its central placement in the Borders makes it a popular location for families, giving a relaxed way of life, while being in a commutable distance of Edinburgh. Steeped in history, Galashiels has a wide variety of housing from classic period properties to new– builds. The countryside surrounding Galashiels also has much to offer, and the recently established Heartland Market brings together the town and local businesses.”
Two other Scottish areas also ranked among this year’s top 10 happiest places to live: the riverside city of Perth, and the historic city of Stirling. Galashiels was beat out for the top spot by St Ives in Cornwall.
Photo: The happy streets of Galashiels. Photo: VisitScotland.