A resident of Skipton, Yorkshire – named the UK’s happiest place by Rightmove – says he’s planning to move to Portugal for lower living costs and 300 days of sunshine
A resident of the UK’s happiest town has revealed plans to relocate to Europe in search of cheaper living costs and sunnier climes. Property portal Rightmove crowned Skipton in Yorkshire as the nation’s “happiest” place to live, citing friendly locals and abundant green spaces.
The market town, which came second in 2024 behind Richmond in London, also earned praise for its amenities including schools and GP surgeries. Yet it scored lower marks for job market accessibility and employment prospects for its 15,000 inhabitants, though residents generally felt they could live “comfortably,” according to Rightmove.
Properties in Skipton fetched an average of roughly £287,000 last year, the portal’s data shows. Terraced homes typically cost around £220,000, whilst detached properties command approximately £493,000. The site reports house prices in the town rose 3% from their previous high in 2022.
When YouTuber David Burnip, who goes by the Wandering Turnip, travelled to the Yorkshire Dales to investigate whether Skipton truly deserved its “happiest place,” title, it was the cost of living that prompted one local to speak out. The resident, identified only as Chris, conceded that Skipton is indeed “happy” and urged David to discover the ginnels tucked behind the town’s shops, reports the Manchester Evening News.
However, Chris later confessed his plans to swap the Yorkshire Dales for Portugal’s sunnier climes. He stated: “I always say that Skipton is one of the best places to live in Britain if you’ve got a bit of money.
“On a state pension wondering how much your electricity bill is going to be, Britain’s not so good. Portugal, with 300 days of sunshine, and low heating costs, low costs generally, is an easier place.”
David, the video maker, was taken aback by the price tag on some of the “spectacular” homes in the town, including a property listed for £2.7 million and another he compared to a “mini castle”. He added: “I think if you’re going to live in Skipton, and I think this might be why they are all happy, because they have loads of money and can afford nice houses, so maybe it’s true, money does get you happiness.”
Patrick McCutcheon, Head of Residential at Dacre Son and Hartley in Yorkshire, believes Skipton “has it all” for families seeking a new home. He said: “Combining community, countryside and communication – Skipton has it all. A highly desirable living environment with immediate access to The Dales and a beautiful setting amidst some of the region’s finest countryside, and only a little more than an hour from The Lake District.
“Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and the M65, with its Manchester links, are all easily accessible for both leisure and business. From the town’s station, there are now also regular services to London Kings Cross. The historic castle lights up the colourful High Street market whilst the Leeds / Liverpool canal, Pennine Way and surrounding moors offer endless opportunities for challenging walks, road and mountain biking and enhance the appeal of this living environment.”
Northern England featured prominently in Rightmove’s happiness survey, with Harrogate in Yorkshire securing a spot in the top 10. Altrincham and Macclesfield also ranked among the happiest locations, whilst the East Midlands was listed amongst England’s least content regions.
Rightmove’s findings suggest that a town or city’s physical surroundings play a crucial role in residents’ happiness levels. Open spaces emerged as one of the most cherished features in this year’s research, with those in rural areas more likely to report feeling happy with their location compared to suburban dwellers.
The survey also highlighted that walkability and thriving high streets contribute significantly to overall wellbeing, with residents valuing the ability to pop to local shops or wander into a lively town centre.
