Home United Kingdom Top 10 Best places to live in England with the Best quality of life – 2023

Top 10 Best places to live in England with the Best quality of life – 2023

Last updated on: January 9, 2023

England is recognized for its stunning scenery, historical architecture, and wide variety of beautiful towns. England offers a variety of environments in which to reside, from the metropolis of London to smaller towns like Whitby. In England, urban life and the environment coexist in perfect harmony from hills to climb, woodlands to hike through, and rivers to canoe. It is well-known for the British Royal Family, its pub fare, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Stonehenge and the Lake District.

If you are considering moving to England, MovingWaldo has got you covered with the best places to live in England.

Methodology

There are several advantages and benefits to living in England. It is a very ethnic and varied city that provides greater room in addition to more opportunities due to its accessibility, high quality of education, and great environment.

Our methodology for choosing the top 10 best places to live in England is outlined below.

We based our ranking on 3 criteria: safety, affordability, and availability to recreational amenities and parks.

The crime rate in England stood at 77.49 per 1,000 people in 2021, and according to the Office for National Statistics, police in England and Wales reported 6.5 million offences were reported in the year ending June 2022.

The April 2022 data shows that, on average, house prices in England have increased by 0.8% since March 2022, according to GOV.UK. The average house value has increased by 11.9% annually to £299,249.

MovingWaldo's list of the Best places to live in England

1. Brighton

Dynamic city

Brighton is a seaside resort and one of the two principal areas of the City of Brighton and Hove in the county of East Sussex, England. Brighton’s location has made it a popular destination for residents, renowned for its diverse communities, quirky shopping areas, large and vibrant cultural, music and arts scene. Many people who want to live in the South East of the country choose to live here as an alternative to London because they can enjoy lower prices, great access to the countryside, and the beach.

You would need around £153,000 to purchase a property here and about £1,300 per month to rent a two-bedroom home in Brighton.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate, The Argus & Zoopla)

Brighton, ENG

2. Wiltshire

Best for low cost of living

Wiltshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the South West of England. It is known for its ham, its white horses, and, most of all, its many ancient ruins. Wiltshire, like the rest of South West England, has a mild climate that is usually wetter and warmer than counties further east. It is home to Stonehenge, a prehistoric site made of stones and rebuilt Neolithic homes. Wiltshire ranks 2nd among the best places to live in England and has a crime rate of 52.17 per 1,000 residents, which is 34.39% lower than the average crime rate in the United Kingdom.

To purchase a property here, you would need about £239,000, and a two-bedroom home in Wiltshire costs about £975 per month to rent.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

Wiltshire, ENG

3. North Yorkshire

Best for tranquillity

North Yorkshire is mostly made up of two national parks, three areas of outstanding natural beauty, and a lot of other places of scientific interest. It also has lively market towns, a world heritage site (Fountains Abbey), and more than 12,000 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Yorkshire could be the place for you if you just got out of college, are looking for a quiet place to retire, or want a better life for your family. It’s easy to see why many families from different classes think it’s the best place to live in England. The crime rate here is only 52.73 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 33.68% lower than the average crime rate in the United Kingdom.

It costs about £240,260 to buy a home here, and In Wiltshire, a two-bedroom house costs about £925 per month to rent.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

North Yorkshire, ENG

4. Surrey

Best for young families

Moving to Surrey would be the best thing to do if you have a growing family or want a change in your life. Surrey is always full of things to do, and events happen there all year long. The city is great for families that are growing and one of the best-connected places in the UK, even though it has more wooded areas than any other county in England. It is known for its castles and golf courses. The crime rate is 53.91 crimes per 1,000 residents, which is 32.20% less than the average crime rate in the UK. Surrey was therefore chosen as one of the best places to live in London.

To buy a home here, you would need about £615,028. A two-bedroom home in Surrey costs about £1,395 per month to rent.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

Surrey, ENG

5. Devon and Cornwall

Best place for safety

Devon and Cornwall make up England’s very southwest corner, which sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Britain because it has long sandy beaches and a beautiful interior with moorland, hills, and valleys. It has some of the most beautiful places to live in the country. The crime rate is 53.91 crimes per 1,000 people, which is 32.20% less than the average crime rate in the United Kingdom. This means that you and your family are safe.

When you move here, it will cost you £336,788 to buy a home, and a two-bedroom home in Devon and Cornwall will cost you about £860 per month to rent.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

Devon and Cornwall, ENG

6. Bath

Historical and cultural city

Bath is known for its architecture and Roman remains. It was built as a thermal spa. During the Middle Ages, it was a major centre for the wool industry. Bath is a great place for residents to live in because the air is cool and fresh. It is a great city for families because it is easy to get around on foot. It is actually one of the safest places to live in England as there are only 65 crimes per 1,000 residents recorded, which is 18.25% less than the average crime rate in the UK.

If you want to live in this beautiful area, you can buy a home for £595,733 or rent a two-bedroom home in Bath, England for about £1,300 per month.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

Bath, ENG

7. West Midlands

Best for families

West Midlands is a large county in England that is part of the West Midlands Region. It is where Shakespeare, rugby, and 2-tone music all started. It has been a source of inspiration for many, like JRR Tolkien and heavy metal music. Birmingham is one of the best places to live in the West Midlands. It has a network of canals that connect the city to the suburbs and multiple top universities. There are only 65.31 crimes per 1,000 residents, which is 17.86% less than the average crime rate in the UK, which makes it one of the best places to live in England for a family.

If you want to live in the West Midlands, you can buy a house for £263,430 or rent a two-bedroom house for about £750 per month.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

West Midlands, ENG

8. Cumbria

Home of the Lake District National Park

Cumbria is a non-metropolitan county in the northwestern part of England. Most people know it for the Lake District National Park, which is in it. These mountains, which are called “fells,” are full of wildlife and ancient sites. They are mostly open, public land and are an important part of the hill farming system. Cumbria has good schools, colleges, and universities, which makes it a great place to raise a family. There are only 65.62 crimes per 1,000 residents, which is 17.47% less than the average crime rate in the UK.

In Cumbria, you can purchase a house for £204,954 or rent a two-bedroom house for about £700 per month.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

Cumbria, ENG

9. Swindon

Near London

Swindon is a large modern town surrounded by some of the best countryside and the most famous sights in England. The Victorian parks and gardens, museums, such as the award-winning Steam Museum, and an art gallery make the city more interesting. Swindon is a good alternative to London because it is close to the capital but has a lower cost of living. This town is much more appealing to renters because it gives them more ways to save money. A house can be bought for £260,078 or rented for about £700 per month for a two-bedroom house. Not only is it one of the best places to live in England, but there are also only 68 crimes per 1,000 residents, which is 14.49% less than the average crime rate in the UK.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

Swindon, ENG

10. Plymouth

Best for beach lovers

Plymouth, a city by the sea with a lot to offer, is situated in the South West. It’s a wonderful place to live, work, and play in Britain’s Ocean City thanks to its incredible quality of life, breathtaking waterfront position, busy city centre, and rich nautical history. Plymouth is a fantastic coastal city with approximately ten miles of shoreline that is home to a variety of marinas, docklands, and seaside promenades. A nice “option” for anyone looking to settle in England is Plymouth. Renting a two-bedroom home in Plymouth costs about £900 per month and buying one costs around £210,591.

(*ONS, GOV.UK, Crime rate & Zoopla)

Plymouth, ENG

Conclusion

Many people are curious about the best places to live in England and want to learn more about them. After reading our ranking of the top 10 best places to live in England, you should be able to decide about where you want to call home. If you are moving soon, you might want to find out about the best removal companies in London.

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Top 10 Best places to live in England with the Best quality of life – 2023

Methodology

MovingWaldo's list of the Best places to live in England

1. Brighton

2. Wiltshire

3. North Yorkshire

4. Surrey

5. Devon and Cornwall

6. Bath

7. West Midlands

8. Cumbria

9. Swindon

10. Plymouth

Conclusion

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