Chester named one of the happiest places to live in the North West

The annual 'Happy at Home Index' survey by property website Rightmove has been posted this week, having asked residents what makes them feel good about living where they are.

The survey asks residents how they feel about their area based on 13 happiness factors. These include things like the club-together community spirit of a local area, having green space on the doorstep, or the sense of belonging in a local community.

This year, more than 26,000 people living in towns, cities and villages across Great Britain have told us how they feel about their local areas, and the things that are the most important to them.

And the survey says Chester residents are among the happiest in the North West, with the city ranked fourth for the region, beating the likes of Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Warrington, Northwich and Wirral.

The only places to beat Chester in the North West were, in order from happiest, Kendal, Altrincham and Chorley.

Taking top spot in the UK overall for the first time was Richmond upon Thames, followed by Winchester in the South East, and Monmouth in Wales.

Nationally, Chester was ranked 43rd.

While amenities like shops and restaurants, and facilities like doctors and schools are important, they aren’t necessarily the things that contribute the most strongly to people feeling happy about living in an area.

The Index ranks such statements as 'I feel proud about the area I live in' and 'I feel a sense of belonging' highly.

Access to green space and nature is also important to residents, with those living in a rural area near a national park, or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, more likely to feel happy where they live.