Walsall has been named the fifth worst place to live in the UK, according to a national survey by Rightmove. The Black Country town was ranked 216th out of 220 places, with residents expressing dissatisfaction with crime and deprivation.
West Midlands towns in bottom 20
Three other West Midlands areas also featured in the bottom 20 of the national list. Birmingham was ranked 209th, Dudley 201st and Wolverhampton 200th.
The Rightmove study asked thousands of residents across Great Britain about their views on living in their town or city. Factors considered included the quality of the high street and access to green spaces.
Leamington Spa tops regional happiness
At the opposite end of the scale, Leamington Spa was ranked 12th nationally and first in the Midlands. Residents in more affluent towns reported higher levels of happiness, likely due to greater wealth, better living standards and lower crime rates.
In contrast, families in urban, industrial towns such as those in the Black Country may face more struggles, including areas falling into disrepair and issues with antisocial behaviour.
Rightmove on what makes a happy home
Skipton in North Yorkshire was named the happiest place in the UK. Rightmove said: "Each year we ask thousands of people across Great Britain how they feel about where they live. Feeling happy at home isn’t just about the property. It’s also about the wider area, the community, and how close you are to the things which matter most."
The survey results highlight a clear divide between affluent towns and post-industrial areas, with the latter struggling to meet residents' expectations.
