With a complex list of crucial factors to examine when electing your forever home, the location is the pivotal factor encompassing all. Whether it be staying loyal to your hometown, moving halfway across the country, or wanting somewhere completely new, it is hard to set your soul on the perfect place.
A town requires many elements to fully accommodate the needs of modern families. Schools become a huge factor. The best educational institutes in the country are those that care, teach, and watch your children grow. Following this, a town needs an increasing housing stock with availability for the specific settlement you imagine as your dream home. An ideal town needs to have sufficient amenities to meet the needs of the family. Shopping centres, beautiful countryside, eateries and cafes, safe parks, and social hubs, help enhance a sense of community and togetherness. Transport, green space, eco-friendly locations, quietness, or liveliness – a town that supports your family’s needs is important.
We have devised a list of the top towns in the UK, with numerous checked requirements for that dream place you have always wished to live in.
Folkestone, Kent
Perched upon the stunning Kent coast, Folkestone has regenerated into one of the southeast's jewels to live. Unique cool shops, artists’ creative studios, and refurbished Harbour arms add to the stylish and shipshape living. It also has high-speed trains to the capital, impressive schools, and incredible sports facilities.
Average House Price: £314,000
Stockport, Greater Manchester
An upcoming gem of the Northwest, Stockport is a town that appears grounded, but full of wonderful surprises. With a recent Interchange project connecting the town to Manchester in only 10 minutes, Stockport’s functionality echoes. Independent businesses fill the Market Hall and Underbanks with everything from fashion and cafes to galleries and record shops. With access to parkland, great schools, and the health of the high street, Stockport can be the new dream home.
Average House Price: £300,000
Leeds
Described as the buzziest city in the North, regional winner Leeds trumps many other towns in the North. Best-paying jobs outside London, five universities inspiring the youth of today, and the only city outside London with its own opera company, Leeds is the powerhouse of the North. With the marvellous Trinity Leeds and market arcades, there is plenty to do in an incredible town. The houses mix, from semi-rural suburbs to new eco-friendly homes in the city centres Climate Innovation District.
Average House Price: £244,000
Wivenhoe, Essex
Artistic talent lies at the heart of the picturesque town of Wivenhoe, northeast of Essex., Wivenhoe’s strong artistic tradition has produced two art galleries, jaw-dropping architecture, and a high street full of attractive independent shops. The small riverside town has great pubs, great people and an even greater atmosphere.
Average House Price: £349,000
Clerkenwell, EC1
Clerkenwell has been a large part of the recent renaissance in East London. As a cultural hub, it now draws in artists, creatives, musicians, and writers from all over the country. With a wealth of history from mediaeval times, through the industrial revolution, and now home to many tech startups, this is a modern town that has a charm all of its own.
Average House Price: £856,369
Stirchley, Birmingham
With good schools, the best bars, restaurants, and cafes, and perfect rail connections, Stirchley is a down to earth suburb of Birmingham. Street food-style restaurants are most popular here as the town is a haven for independent businesses and sustainable shopping.
Average House Price: £236,000
West End, Dundee
Moving all the way North to Scotland, West End in Dundee has a revitalised waterfront and a city centre only a 10-minute walk away. A lively, artsy town contains the finest high-streets and regular festivals and events for the whole family. There is no shortage of things to do for the family, with a perfect wealth of green space close to your home.
Average House Price: £149,000
Sherborne, Dorset
The best address in the south west, a community beaming with high-class education makes Sherborne an ideal location for family and children. If community and social hubs are your favoured criteria for a town, Sherborne has more than 200 community interest groups for every conceivable club you could imagine. A historic and handsome location, with a supreme community feel.
Average House Price: £338,000
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Sat upon the edge of a beautiful Welsh National Park, Abergavenny has been a friendly market town since the 13th century. Food remains a pivotal point of the town with the Abergavenny Food Festival recently celebrating its 25th anniversary. Friendliness beams throughout the town, with a strong community spirit and sporting scene.
Average House Price: £320,000
Portstewart, Co Londonderry
A graceful Irish seaside town with a year-round community spirit in this rarified resort. Volunteers across the town support local festivals, cleaning beaches and litter picking, creating a clean, homely environment. The beach is a highlight of the town, yet its lovely boutiques, flower field arts centre, and cafes add to this feel-good destination.
Average House Price: £447,000
Sefton Park, Liverpool
One of Liverpool’s most eclectic and lively neighbourhoods, Sefton Park embraces diverse amenities, spectacular green spaces, and a bohemian atmosphere. The area offers a unique blend of cultural richness, many activities, and a bustling nightlife creating a dynamic town perfect for family life. Excellent schools, safe streets, and family-oriented activities, Sefton Park is great.
Average House Price: £324,000
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire
Instilling a sense of belonging with residents, Chorleywood has been voted one of the happiest places to live in the UK. In the small village, residents create a community spirit through the neighbourhood watch and fantastic community police. Only a 40-minute train link to London and great schools in the area, Chorleywood has all the credentials required for a capital residence alternative.
Average House Price: £923,000
Cirencester, Gloucestershire
One of the best places to live in the Southwest, Cirencester is a historical market town in the Cotswold District. The historic Roman town is minutes from beautiful rolling countryside and good road links via the M4 and M5 motorways. The vibrant charm echoes through independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, with plenty to learn of the rich heritage in town.
Average House Price: £406,000
Conwy, Wales
Conwy is a Welsh town located on the estuary of River Conwy. It is a quaint harbour town, steeped in history with a massive castle and town walls dating back to the 13th century. With amazing beaches, excellent theatres, and a fascinating zoo, it is an idyllic town to live in.
Average House Price: £222,000
Highams Park, London
A place you may not have heard of in London, Highams Park is great for commuters and families who want to live in a friendly undiscovered corner of Greater London. Fringed by beautiful woodland and houses with good-sized gardens for kids to adventure, Highams Park supports families with everything they need just outside the capital centre.
Average House Price: £541,000
Farnham, Surrey
A town with something to suit everybody, Farnham is known for its Georgian streets, historic buildings, and rich heritage. The ancient and affluent market town thrives with excelling schools, some of the best in the county, and a beautiful high street. With very low crime rates, the community sense and comfortable feel is perfect in Farnham.
Average House Price: £690,000
North Berwick, Scotland
Potentially the best family choice in the UK, North Berwick has a glorious combination of great schools and great outdoors. With unique, funky small shops arrayed on the high street and a plethora of family fun activities to have, the town excels in being a perfect place to live. With two lovely beaches surrounding the locale, the houses look out onto the picturesque village.
Average House Price: £449,000
Market Harborough, Lincolnshire
A dream for country living, yet cannot seem to part with the hustle and bustle of city life, Market Harborough is a lively market town with amazing boutique shops and foodie haunts. With good travel connections to London for families and couples, the town has a myriad of magical activities to enjoy.
Average House Price: £369,000
Dartmouth, Devon
The coastal town of Dartmouth is situated on the luxurious banks of the River Dart. Boundless fresh air, hiking activities, and picturesque beauty highlight how great Dartmouth is. This is a breathtaking coastline that represents millions of years of history and acts as a wonderful representation of the best that the south of England has to offer.
Average House Price: £416,000
Kendal, Cumbria
Located in the south of the Lake District, Kendal is a major gateway to the angelic look of the Lakes. Easy access to untamed countryside and breathtaking views, Kendal is one of the best places to live. Alive with arts, markets, festivals, culture, and intriguing history, it is a dream location to live away from city life.
Average House Price: £267,000
Knutsford, Cheshire
A glitzy social scene but cosy and comfortable, Knutsford is conveniently situated off the M6. An area of affluent small villages, Knutsford is rich in heritage boasting a vibrant town centre and excellent private and state school education opportunities. Being a celeb favourite to live up North, the beauty of its countryside shows clearly why it is a popular home town.
Average House Price: £590,000
Ormeau, Belfast
Lively and friendly, Ormeau is a great town located in Belfastmixing coastal and countryside perfectly. It has become a hot spot for a vibrant social scene, with plenty of bars and restaurants serving up some tasty grub. Attractive Victorian homes located near lovely parks, the children will settle comfortably in this beautiful district.
Average House Price: £180,000
Heaton, Newcastle
Bohemian Heaton is a lively neighbourhood with the perfect amount of glamour, rich in history and culture, offering residents the opportunity to discover its interesting past. A once mining town but now covered in arts and cafe culture, Heaton is a booming place in Newcastle, a stylish location with a friendly vibe.
Average House Price: £233,000
With a plethora of UK towns offering a boundless list of beneficial factors to starting your family home, narrowing down a choice becomes challenging. The UK is fortunate to have a bounty of culture, experiences, and communities to support every modern lifestyle. The greatest piece of advice we could offer would be to get out there and see for yourself which part will suit you and your family in the very best way. And the journey is guaranteed to be an enjoyable one.
