Four Greater Manchester areas have been named among the top 20 happiest places to live in the North West for 2024.
It’s all according to Rightmove’s annual ‘Happy at Home Index’ – which is now in its twelfth year.
In a bid to help property experts understand what really makes the residents of some areas happier than others, every year, leading property platform Rightmove asks people all across the UK to say what makes them happy about where they live and what makes it so special, as well as what things make a place feel like home.
The annual survey asks residents how they feel about their area based on 13 happiness factors – including things like the community spirit of a local area, having green space on the doorstep, or the sense of belonging in a local area.
More than 26,000 people living in towns, cities, and villages across the UK had their say this year, and based on the scores they gave their local areas, Rightmove has ranked the happiest places to live.
ADVERTISEMENT
A list of the top 25 areas within each geographical region of the UK have been released by Rightmove this month – with four Greater Manchester areas making the North West’s ranking – as well as list of the top 10 happiest places in the UK all together.
The Trafford town of Altrincham has been named the second happiest place to live in the North West, according to the ranking for 2024, while the towns and cities of Bury, Stockport, Salford, and Manchester all make the top 20 at sixth, ninth, sixteenth, and twentieth place, respectively.
ADVERTISEMENT
When looking at the bigger picture, the number one happiest place to live in the UK has been named as the London borough of Richmond upon Thames, with the city of Winchester in Hampshire taking second place, and Monmouth in Wales claiming the third spot.
Top 10 Happiest Places to Live in the UK
Richmond upon Thames
Winchesteter
Monmouth
Wokingham
Cirencester
Skipton
Hemel Hempstead
Kensington and Chelsea
St Ives
Hexham
Rightmove says the results of this year’s study showed that the most important contributors to happiness were feeling a sense of pride, belonging, and community within an area.
Access to green space and nature was also identified as being 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.
ADVERTISEMENT
2023 was also the first time Rightmove asked people whether they thought they might be happier if they moved to to somewhere else in the UK, and around one in three (30%) of residents who responded to the survey said they would be happier living in a different area.
And over half of those would consider moving to an entirely different region of the UK.
Featured Image – Super Straho (via Unsplash)
Trending
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’
Emily Sergeant
Call yourself a clever clogs? The BBC is currently looking for contestants to take part in what is widely considered the hardest quiz show on TV.
That’s right – Only Connect is back for another series on BBC Two.
Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and first broadcast all the way back in 2008, Only Connect takes TV quizzing to the next level, as it sees two teams compete against each other by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues.
In this quiz show – which viewers have dubbed one of the most challenging there is – knowledge only takes you so far, as the ability to think laterally is also deemed ‘vitally important’.
A casting call for the upcoming 2027 series has been shared on the BBC website, with people from Greater Manchester encouraged to apply.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’ / Credit: BBC
The casting call reads: “The popular BBC Two quiz show presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell returns for a new series in 2027.
“Only Connect is seeking teams of three players OR single applicants or teams of two looking for like-minded teammates to pool their combined wits to solve fiendish conundrums and vexing puzzles.
“This is the quiz series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far: patience and lateral thinking are also vital. It’s all about making connections between things which may appear, at first glance, not to be connected at all.”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Applications are now open, and all applicants must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK or Channel Islands.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands
Emily Sergeant
Students can get themselves up to 50% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.
With thousands of new and returning students starting to arrive for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month – and there’ll be loads of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.
Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Beans, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.
Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 25% off at Levi’s and Boux Avenue, 20% off at Gymshark, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch, and 15% off at KIKO, Rituals, and Sephora.
It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too.
Alongside the offers, students can expect plenty of live entertainment and in-store experiences throughout the evening, including a DJ set and drinks at Calvin Klein, in-store fitness challenges and at Gymshark, an exclusive piercing event at Lovisa, and a Beauty Hub takeover at Sephora.
There’ll also be ‘spin-to-win’ opportunities at places like schuh, River Island, and YO! Sushi.
Massive student night returns to Trafford Centre next month with up to 50% off on big brands / Credit: Supplied
“Student Night is one of the highlights of our autumn calendar, and we’re excited to welcome students for an evening of brilliant offers and feel-good experiences,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre.
“Whether they are updating their wardrobe, stocking up on beauty favourites, grabbing a bite to eat or enjoying the atmosphere with friends, there is plenty to discover across the centre.
“With simple transport links from Manchester city centre and across the region, Trafford Centre is the perfect place for a student night out.”
The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 1 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
13th December 2023 
