Five areas in Greater Manchester named happiest places to live in North West

Five areas in Greater Manchester have been named among the top 20 happiest places to live in the North West for 2024.

This is according to an annual survey conducted by real estate company Rightmove, which is now in its 12th year.

In a bid to help property experts understand what makes residents living in some areas happier than others living in different areas, the real estate giants asked people all across the UK to say what makes them happy about where they live, what makes it so special, as well as what factors make a place feel like home. 

The survey asked residents to rate how they feel about the area they live in based on 13 happiness factors – including things like the sense of community in a local area, having green space nearby, or feeling comfortable to be yourself.

This year’s feedback was collected from more than 26,000 people living in towns, cities, and villages across the UK.

Based on the scores participants gave their local areas, Rightmove has ranked the happiest places to live. The company has released a list of the top 25 areas within each geographical region of the UK, based on its findings.

The Greater Manchester areas named among the happiest places to live are Altrincham, Bury, Stockport, Salford and Manchester – with Altrincham in Trafford named as the second happiest place to live in the North West, according to the ranking for 2024.

Meanwhile, towns Bury and Stockport, and cities Salford and Manchester, made it into the top 20 – at 6th, 9th, 16th and 20th place, respectively.

Taking a look at the whole of the UK, Richmond Upon Thames was crowned the happiest place to live in the UK this year.

Rightmove says the results of this year’s study showed that the most important contributors to the happiness of residents were feeling a sense of belonging within their local community, feeling comfortable and able to be themselves, as well as having access to nature and green spaces.

Top 10 Happiest Places to Live in the UK

1. Richmond upon Thames
2. Winchesteter
3. Monmouth
4. Wokingham
5. Cirencester
6. Skipton
7. Hemel Hempstead
8. Kensington and Chelsea
9. St Ives
10. Hexham