Best places to live in the UK in 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and an increased level of working from home have shown us many truths – but perhaps none is having quite so big of an impact as the most popular areas to live. No longer do we have to be tied to London or other major cities, which the costs of living grow more expensive each year. With so many people no longer tied to a commute or to an office building, the possibilities for where to buy a home have suddenly opened up, meaning properties with more space, lower rates of crime and, often, lower asking prices are now a reality.

Though many popular new spots for property owners are within commuting distance of the UK’s major cities, undiscovered gems from Land’s End to John O’Groats are becoming hotspots for homeowners. Here are just a selection of the best places to live in the UK in 2022:

1. Stroud, Gloucestershire

Commute time: 90 minutes (Paddington)

Named by The Times as the Best Place to Live in the UK 2021, Stroud still tops our list. A market town in central Gloucestershire, Stroud is part of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Beauty and has plenty of green space to explore. A popular commuter town thanks to its proximity to the cities of Cheltenham, Bristol and London, Stroud’s high streets are full of independent shops and boutiques, cafes and art galleries. Set against the backdrop of the Five Valleys , house prices are steadily creeping up thanks to the town’s popularity – the average as of December 2021 was £401,786.

2.North Berwick, East Lothian

Commute time: 35 minutes (Edinburgh)

Plenty of gems can be found along the Scottish coastline, but North Berwick is a particular new favourite among Scottish property seekers. A former Royal Burgh sitting on the Firth of Forth, North Berwick was a popular holiday resort in the 19th century thanks to its two sandy bays and stunning views over the nearby islands. North Berwick is just thirty minutes from Edinburgh by train and a vibrant spot throughout the year.

3. Hexham, Northumberland

Commute time: 45 minutes (Newcastle)

Crowned the Happiest Place in the UK, Hexham is just 23 miles from Hadrian’s Wall. The town is renowned for the gorgeous Sele Park and floral gardens in the town centre, overlooked by the sprawling façade of Hexham House. Steeped in history, Hexham is also a very affordable place to live, with the average house price standing at £296,327. Though perhaps not one for the commuters – the nearest city is Edinburgh, eighty miles away – this charming town would be perfect for anyone looking to shake off city life and indulge, fully, in the country.

4. Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Commute time: 35 minutes (Leeds) or 40 minutes (York)

Just East of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Harrogate continues to be a popular choice for commuters into nearby Leeds. A spa town which the Victorians flocked to, part of the town was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and continues to be a popular holiday destination. Its average house price is a little higher than other spots on this list, at £405,249, but its cobbled streets, connection with the arts and theatre – and of course, the famous local springs – have made it a popular choice for homeowners for 2022.

5. St Agnes, Cornwall

Commute time: 2 hours (Plymouth) or 4.5 hours (Bristol)

Cornwall has experienced a boom in new residents over the course of the pandemic, with tens of thousands flocking to the jewel of the Southwest. St Agnes, named by Cornwall Live as the best place to live in the county, is found on Cornwall’s North Coast and has a rural charm that has brought many to settle here. Known as ‘aggie’ by locals, the town was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is just ten miles from Newquay.

6. Woodbridge, Suffolk

Commute time: 1 hour 40 minutes (London Liverpool Street)

Another of the top house-buying locations favoured by The Times for 2021, Woodbridge has a particular charm to it that locals wear with pride. Whether it’s the rolling of brightly coloured houses, the hidden alleys and streets or even the famous Riverside Cinema, Woodbridge is also one of the safest towns in Suffolk, with a crime rate 10% lower than the county average. Just seven miles from Ipswich, Woodbridge is routinely hailed as the jewel of the county and one of the best places to live in the East of England.

Deciding where to live is one of the most important decisions you will make, but it is also becoming increasingly complex and time consuming. We offer a bespoke location search service which involves us understanding your criteria and carrying out dedicated research which, combined with local area knowledge, we use to produce a report detailing the locations best meeting your needs. Find out more.

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7. Dundee, Central Lowlands

Commute time: 1 hour 20 minutes (Edinburgh or Glasgow)

The fourth-largest city in Scotland, Dundee makes an excellent spot for homeowners who don’t want to escape the metropole but want excellent access to green space. Sitting on the Firth of Tay, it’s also incredibly affordable for a city of its size with an average property price of £198,652. Designated a UNESCO City of Design, Dundee is one of Scotland’s great hubs for art, being home to the only V&A outside of London and a growing spot for contemporary culture, food and drink.

8. Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Commute time: 58 minutes (London Fenchurch Street)

With the house prices of the UK’s coastal spots skyrocketing during the pandemic, it can be hard to find one that still retains some of its quiet charm. But what remains is Leigh-on-Sea, a district of the better-known Southend, in Essex. About an hour’s train journey from London, it’s a popular choice for commuters looking for seaside charm and an excellent local selection of pubs and restaurants. For those looking for green space beyond the seaside, look no further than Belfairs Parks and Nature Reserve nearby.

9. Altrincham, Greater Manchester

Commute time: 30 minutes (Manchester Piccadilly)

Just eight miles from the centre of Manchester, Altrincham is a Trafford market town that treads the boundary of Cheshire. Thanks to investment in its transportation links, it is now a wealthy commuter town for those working in the city and only increased in popularity since the mid-20th century. Not just steeped in centuries of history, Altrincham is also home to ten of Trafford’s 21 conservation areas, including the Old Market Place and Dunham Massey Hall, which sits on 250 acres of country estate. However, it means prices here are higher than some other commuters towns – the average price currently sits at £569,578.

10. Teddington, London

Commute time: 30 minutes (London Waterloo)

If you can’t bear to leave the city but want a village feel, then look no further than Teddington. Found in the borough of Richmond, which has been named the safest borough in London, Teddington enjoys an extremely low crime rate of 54 crimes per 1000 people. Popular not just for its proximity to the capital, but also to the gorgeous Richmond Park, Teddington was named by The Times as the best place to live in London in 2021. Teddington is the most expensive entry on our list, with an average house price of over £800,000. But, for the chance to own a property on the banks of the Thames without the fog of Central London, it might just be a worthy price.

11. Stamford, Lincolnshire

Commute time: 1 hour 20 minutes (London Kings Cross)

Regarded not just as one of Britain’s finest stone towns, Stamford was also named by The Times as one of the Best Places to Live in the UK. Frequently used in film and television – most notably 2005’s Pride and Prejudice – the charm of this Georgian town is home to dozens of independent retailers, unique boutiques and a bustling farmer’s market that attracts thousands each week. Just forty minutes by train to the city of Lincoln, Stamford has also garnered a reputation for its vibrant foodie culture, whether that’s in one of its cosy cafes or an elegant restaurant serving contemporary twists on familiar cuisine. Sat on the banks of the River Welland, Stamford’s character remains its greatest drawer to property owners looking for somewhere new.

12. Dunkeld, Perth & Kinross

Commute time: 1 hour 35 minutes (Edinburgh or Glasgow)

A pretty village along the A9, Dunkeld maintains a historic charm that often makes a feature of millions of Instagram posts. It’s the perfect spot for homeowners who truly want small-town living. With the Cairngorms National Park just twenty miles away, the village has plenty of history to it, with multiple properties owned by the National Trust of Scotland. Dunkeld is also home to Aran, a Scandinavian-inspired bakery owned by Bake Off semi-finalist Flora Shedden, whose efforts to put her hometown on the map have certainly increased its popularity over the last few years.

13. Isle of Wight, Hampshire

If you truly wish to ‘get away from it all’ but not technically leave the country, turn to the Isle of Wight. Accessible by ferry, the island is separated from Hampshire on the mainland by the Solent. A designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it has often been visited by tourists as a holiday destination though has a proud community of locals within its winding, sunny streets. The pace of life may be a little slower than other towns, but the size of the island means you’ll always find someone that you know as you wander the streets. Its house prices are also relatively low for such a popular place, at an average of £305,000 – less than that of nearby Hampshire.


With more people choosing to live away from the hubs of the capitals, this selection of towns, villages and cities across the UK are showing more property owners that you can get a better home for a better deal. If you’re looking to move somewhere new – beyond the confines of the capital – and start a new life in a new spot, visit our search engine to browse properties and learn more about the hottest commuter areas today.