Living in God’s own country is the greatest feeling there is. Having the beautiful countryside only a short drive away, as well as access to major cities means us Yorkshire folk have got everything we need on our doorsteps. And, it’s just as well, as not many of us like to leave our good ol’ county.

Two beautiful Yorkshire towns have made the top ten for happiest places to live, according to a survey by Rightmove. A huge 21,631 people took part in the survey that looked at a range of factors such as how friendly the neighbours are, how good the local services are, and the sense of belonging and the quality of nature and green spaces in the area. We all know there ain’t no one as friendly as us Yorkshire folk.

The two towns that made the list were Skipton, which came in 2nd place and Harrogate at 9th place. Other Yorkshire places that came in the top twenty were York, Halifax and Leeds. Skipton deserves that 2nd place, known as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales obviously has what everyone is looking for as over half claimed access to nature and green space is vital when deciding where to live.
Lockdown, and spending more time where they live has changed what people are looking for, and also how they feel about their area. People are more interested in what is available locally, and the trend is most notable among younger home-movers in the 18 to 34 age group, said the company.
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of property data, said: “Our latest research shows that despite all the challenges that this year has brought, many people have been able to reconnect with their local area and community which has had a positive effect on how they feel about where they live.
“Overall, I think lockdown has enabled people to rediscover what’s on their doorstep, and spending more time in their local areas has made people value their surroundings and communities so much more.
“This year’s study shows a greater appreciation for green spaces and nature, and a strong correlation between people living in coastal and rural areas and how happy people are where they live.”
“Since lockdown we’ve since a trend towards more people looking to live in smaller communities, and so it’s very fitting to see that the picturesque town of St Ives has taken the top spot in 2020.”
You can see the top ten below:
1. St Ives
2. Skipton
3. Leamington Spa
4. Llandrindod Wells
5. Perth
6. Lendal
7.Stratford-upon-Avon
8.Dorchester
9. Harrogate
10. Richmond puon Thames
Read More: Survey Reveals The Food That Gets Yorkshire Folk Feeling Turned On
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