18-10-07, UpMyStreet ©
Edinburgh was crowned the best place to live in the UK for the "amazing lifestyle on offer... and still half the cost of a home in London."
In Channel 4's annual best and worst guide to the UK, the best places to live all score highly in six key areas: crime, education, environment, lifestyle, health and employment.
But judging on these criteria alone won't always tell the full story - an alternative look at the areas that made it into Channel 4's top 20 best places to live shows a different side to these premium postcodes.
1. Gas guzzlers
Despite Channel 4 looking at each area's green credentials, several places that made it into the top 20 were also the most polluting. 4x4-loving Guildford, for example, emits three tonnes of CO2 per person. Homes in Surrey Heath, in sixth place, emit among the highest levels of CO2 in the UK, and Winchester and St Albans were voted the two least eco-friendly cities in the UK by the World Worldlife Federation. They calculated that we would need the natural resources of three planets to support us if all towns were this bad.
In contrast, Channel 4's second worst place to live, Hull, has the most energy efficient homes in the UK, according to British Gas.
2. Lack of affordable housing
A premium price tag on property accompanies nearly all the top locations, unsurprisingly, so first-time buyers and property hunters with limited budgets won't get much for their money.
The price of property in Channel 4's second best place to live, Winchester, has risen to an average of £347,876, over £100,000 more than the national average - and that might only get you a two-bedroom home. Eight out of the 20 best places to live are in Surrey, the UK's most expensive county. Even number one location Edinburgh, which was praised for its lower than average property prices, is still much more expensive that any other area in Scotland.
3. Limited demographic
Channel 4's best places to live generally represent a homogenous demographic, promoting a specific lifestyle that might not appeal to everyone. Residents in these areas score highly for factors like education, employment and health, but it's difficult to measure the value of a more diverse, multicultural community. While such communities face challenges in terms of accommodating varied lifestyles and cultures, they often demonstrate a stronger sense of community and thrive in areas like the arts.
Also, residents in the top 20 areas tend to be older than the average population - with people in Mole Valley more likely to be over 40 than in their twenties or thirties, for example.
4. Lack of activities
Channel 4's best areas might share low levels of crime and a high life expectancy, but there's also another common trend - a lack of things to do. The quiet rural setting of places like South Cambridgeshire, East Dumbartonshire and Elmbridge, means a lower than average number of shops, bars and restaurants, and few facilities for sport and children.
5. Southern bias
There's a distinct lack of regional variation in the best list. Edinburgh, East Dunbartonshire and Rushcliffe are the only areas not in the South to achieve a top 20 place, and there's no mention of Wales at all. Eight out of the 20 best places to live are in Surrey, and a further five are located in one of the other home counties - not leaving much choice if you don't want to live in the South East.
Have your say
What do you think about Channel 4's best places to live? Add your comments below.
Related articles
The 20 best places to live
1. Edinburgh
2. Winchester
4. Waverley
5. Mole Valley
6. Surrey Heath
8. Chelmsford
9. Horsham
10. Elmbridge
12. Guildford
13. St Albans
14. Rushcliffe
15. Bath and North East Somerset
16. Mid Sussex
17. Suffolk Coastal
20. Wokingham
Source: Channel 4, 2007
Do your own research on an area:
The 20 worst places to live
3. Newham
4. Nottingham
7. Islington
9. Mansfield
10. Knowsley
11. Blackpool
12. Hackney
13. Stoke-on-Trent
15. Doncaster
16. Cannock Chase
17. Manchester
18. Haringey
19. Burnley
20. Hartlepool
Source: Channel 4, 2007
Allan (South Derbyshire), on 11/01/2008 at 18:59
We moved from East Berkshire, and can only agree with Sue.
The southern counties are full of second hand snobs with thoughts only for themselves.
We have since moved to the Midlands, a great bunch of folk who do actually speak to you without wanting anything in return!
f (East Renfrewshire), on 11/12/2007 at 11:05
Regarding Margaret(Scottish Borders)
I'm from Glasgow, and, unlike most Glaswedgians, absolutely adore Edinburgh and am far from surprised it is voted the best place to live in the UK. I, unlike most Scottish people, don't have a problem with the English. I've studied and worked in England for the past 5 years and have rarely encountered anything but wonder and affection for Scotland from the English. It's a shame my fellow Scots can't be a bit more grown up and realise there's very little point in harbouring a grudge against the English.
mcginty woking (Woking), on 17/11/2007 at 10:27
S wrote:
I grew up in Hartlepool and my brother still lives there. Now I live in Woking 6miles from Guildford and is one of the greenest towns in the SW. I would never consider moving back to the NE. when I grew up it had the highest infant mortality rate unemployment and crime. There was nothing to do, no cinemas just pubs and wine bars. Admittedly there has been considerable regeneration in the area since and this has changed, but I feel my kids have much better opportunity here. They go to school in Guildford, rub shoulders with other nationals, are just a quick train ride from the capital and all it offers. If you are good at anything whether it be sport, gym, music, dance there are plenty of good clubs with opportunities to take it further if you have the inclination. The house prices are the biggest worry however my husband has moved jobs regularly and we have never had to move as commuications are great. Chances of promotion are higher due to this greater flexibilty. I can understand why Surrey has so many towns in the top 20 but I don't know how my kids can get on the property ladder when the time comes and that is a worry.
exactly, we are in the same boat no hope of our kids getting a mortgage they can afford, my daughter earns a very good wage 23,500 but without a hefty deposit she cant even afford a studio in woking, even surrounding ash and aldershot are expensive, we are investing in the north east as they will start to go up in the next 2 years as they have been lagging behind, all the other best places to live will flatten out now as they have had there day, hopefully this will generate enough profit to give them both a deposit, thanks to the north east!!
Sue (East Riding of Yorkshire), on 16/11/2007 at 13:53
You are kidding. I was born in Woking and could not wait to leave, multi nationals, fast pace of life, no one helps each other let alone speak, snobs. Give me the north anyday.
S (Woking), on 09/11/2007 at 12:40
I grew up in Hartlepool and my brother still lives there. Now I live in Woking 6miles from Guildford and is one of the greenest towns in the SW. I would never consider moving back to the NE. when I grew up it had the highest infant mortality rate unemployment and crime. There was nothing to do, no cinemas just pubs and wine bars. Admittedly there has been considerable regeneration in the area since and this has changed, but I feel my kids have much better opportunity here. They go to school in Guildford, rub shoulders with other nationals, are just a quick train ride from the capital and all it offers. If you are good at anything whether it be sport, gym, music, dance there are plenty of good clubs with opportunities to take it further if you have the inclination. The house prices are the biggest worry however my husband has moved jobs regularly and we have never had to move as commuications are great. Chances of promotion are higher due to this greater flexibilty. I can understand why Surrey has so many towns in the top 20 but I don't know how my kids can get on the property ladder when the time comes and that is a worry.
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Stephen (Rushcliffe), on 31/10/2007 at 13:13
I find it a little strange that Nottingham is 4th worst place to live, yet Rushcliffe is 14th best. The two places are only 3 miles apart.
I lived in Rushcliffe borough and used to walk to Nottingham town centre in under an hour. It is a suburb of Nottingham.
Marc (York - another, not so bad place to live) (York), on 30/10/2007 at 19:51
Margaret(Scottish Borders) I would commend Malcolm's comments to you.
Edinburgh, and indeed many parts of Scotland, are beautiful...and home to some lovely friendly people. But I can honestly say that I've only ever heard Scots 'slagging' the English (or worse, expressing hatred) and not the other way around. The best of everything.....including 'chips on shoulders''?
malcolm (Horsham), on 30/10/2007 at 10:33
Margaret(Scottish Borders) wrote:
Well done Edinburgh,for once Scotland has been voted the best for something as it is always being slagged off by the English,of course we people living north of the Border knew already that we had the best of everything.
I,ve never until recently heard Scots slagged off by the English ,but frequently the other way around usually about something that happened 350 years ago.You should get out more.No surprise to see Edinburgh voted the best place to live in Britain though
Margaret(Scottish Borders) (Scottish Borders, The), on 28/10/2007 at 15:21
Well done Edinburgh,for once Scotland has been voted the best for something as it is always being slagged off by the English,of course we people living north of the Border knew already that we had the best of everything.
Carol (Doncaster), on 27/10/2007 at 12:12
I did see the show and thought a lot of towns in the worst list had no mention of the regeneration going on there. Ok Doncaster may have its problems but it has a new airport, newly refurbished racecourse with the famous St Leger racemeeting and a brand new stadium for football, rugby and a host of other events. Housing here is very affordable and some of the schools have excellent facilities and exam results. Well done for redressing the balance
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