Bedfordshire named one of the best places to live in 2021

Regulated property buyers, Good Move recreate the UK map to help homeowners determine the best and worst places to live based on important factors
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The best places to live for 2021 have been revealed, with Dyfed-Powys, Cleveland, Surrey and Bedfordshire among the best.

The research, conducted by regulated property buyers, Good Move, looked at population numbers, crime rates, green space, house prices, Ofsted ratings, and disposable income from counties and regions across the country.

Having analysed the data, they can reveal the best places to live in 2021.

The image has been used for illustration purposesThe image has been used for illustration purposes
The image has been used for illustration purposes

Good Move have also created an interactive map with the data, that visually showcases how the areas would expand on the UK map if they considered those factors. The bigger the area, the higher the factor.

Having collated the data, the top five best places to live in 2021, per factor, are as follows:

Best Ofsted reports (for those who have children, therefore want them to attend a good school):

1. City of London (100%)

2. Surrey (31%)

3. Hertfordshire (29%)

4. Bedfordshire (25%)

5. Cheshire (25%)

Highest population numbers (for those who wish to live in a busy area):

1. Metropolitan police - consists of the 32 London boroughs (97%)

2. Thames Valley (26%)

3. West Yorkshire (25%)

4. Hampshire (22%)

5. Kent (20%)

Lowest Population numbers (for those who wish to live in a quiet area):

1. Cumbria (5%)

2. Dyfed-Powys (6%)

3. Cleveland (6%)

4. Warwickshire (6%)

5. Gwent (6%)

Lowest overall crime rates (for those who don’t want to experience crime offences):

1. Devon and Cornwall (46%)

2. North Yorkshire (46%)

3. Wiltshire (49%)

4. Dyfed-Powys (50%)

5. Gloucestershire (52%)

Lowest overall house prices (for those who require a home within a lower price bracket):

1. Durham (27%)

2. Cleveland (29%)

3. South Yorkshire (31%)

4. Dyfed-Powys (31%)

5. Lincolnshire (31%)

Highest green space per person (for those who want more outdoor space):

1. South East (100%)

2. Wales (91%)

3. South West (88%)

4. West Midlands (87%)

5. East Midlands (82%)

Highest disposable income (for those who wish to earn more money):

1. London (100%)

2. South East (85%)

3. North West (51%)

4. South West (45%)

5. West Midlands (41%)

Looking at the findings, Dyfed-Powys in Wales and England was the only country that was featured in the top five three times, for lowest population rates (6%), crime rates (50%), and house prices (31%), making it the best place to live in the UK for 2021.

Cleveland (low house prices and population), was also featured in the top five lists more than once, while South East England, South West England, and West Midlands were both included in the top five regions for highest green space per person and disposable income, and therefore make up the overall best places to live in 2021.

Commenting on the study, Nima Ghasri, Director at Good Move, said: “With the pandemic shifting what Brits are looking for in a property, with more and more people looking to move away from cities and into more rural spacious properties, we expect an even bigger influx of people looking to move in the New Year.

“This is why we conducted this research to reveal the best places to live in 2021, based on important factors such as crime rates, Ofsted ratings, house prices, and green space.

"We also visualised the data in an interactive asset so potential buyers can clearly see what region or county is best for them to live based on the factors they care most about.”