Could Bracknell be one of the UK's 'unhappiest' places to live in?
Rightmove reveal Happy at Home Index and Bracknell isn't on the list
PIC BY STEWART TURKINGTON www.stphotos.co.uk
Results have been published from a survey asking residents how they feel about the town they live in.
Rightmove carried out their annual Happy at Home Index survey for 2020 asking people to rank ten happiness factors including the friendliness of neighbours, quality of local services, and sense of belonging to nature and green spaces in the area.
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The annual study, with over 21,000 respondents, found that coastal areas in general are where people feel happiest where they live in comparison to those who live in cities and urban areas.
Despite Bracknell Forest having some of the best green spaces and parks in the country, the borough doesn't feature in the list.
Areas in the South East have been ranked as being the happiest places to live and Bracknell isn't one of them.
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Tonbridge, Guildford, Winchester, High Wycombe and Brighton feature on the happy at home index.
St Ives in Cornwall came top due to residents' praise of its nature and green spaces and also rated their neighbours as among the friendliest in the country.
Rightmove also discovered that people living in rural and coastal locations were more likely to have developed a greater affinity with their local area during the initial lockdown period, with our study suggesting that access to green spaces made people more appreciative of where they live.
Rightmove's Director of Property Data Tim Bannister 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."