A study by property firm Rightmove has ranked Leamington Spa as the happiest place to live in the West Midlands, with the town also securing 12th place nationally. The Warwickshire town, popular with Birmingham commuters seeking a quieter lifestyle, scored highly on residents' satisfaction with their local area.
Leamington Spa tops regional happiness rankings
The study surveyed locals across towns and cities in the UK, asking them to rate their satisfaction with where they live. Leamington Spa emerged as the most contented location in the Midlands, followed closely by Lichfield in 13th place nationally. Both are leafy commuter spots known for their affluent character.
According to the findings, happier places tend to be in greener and wealthier parts of the region. Residents in these areas are likely to enjoy higher incomes, better living standards, and fewer daily worries, which contributes to their overall contentment.
Black Country and Birmingham rank low in satisfaction
At the opposite end of the scale, more urban and industrial towns in the Black Country, along with Birmingham, recorded lower happiness levels. Walsall was ranked the fifth unhappiest place in the entire country, placing 216th out of 220 locations. Birmingham fared little better, coming in at 209th place.
Dudley and Wolverhampton also reported low satisfaction, with residents placing them at 201st and 200th respectively. These areas face greater challenges, making life more of a struggle for many inhabitants, according to the study.
Top 10 happiest places in the West Midlands
The full list of the happiest places in the West Midlands, as ranked by Rightmove, includes: Leamington Spa, Lichfield, Stratford-upon-Avon, Shrewsbury, Tamworth, Worcester, Stafford, Burton-upon-Trent, Hereford, and Solihull. Nationally, Skipton in North Yorkshire was named the happiest place in the UK.
