Winchester 'community vibe' a reasons it's second happiest place

The ancient capital featured just behind Richmond-upon-Thames in the list, and was Hampshire's only representative in the top 20.

Rightmove’s 12th annual Happy at Home Index asks residents how they feel about their area and was completed this year by over 26,000 people.

The study found that feeling a sense of pride, belonging, and community is most likely to contribute to feeling happy to live in an area, more so than having access to things like public transport, schools and job opportunities.

Reacting to the news Fiona Smith, 79, of  Bourne Fields, Twyford, said: “Winchester has changed but it's still a happy place. I have lived in the area since I was 10-years-old. 

READ MORE: Winchester second happiest place to live in Great Britain

“I mostly teach at the Pilgrims' School and I love it. The boys become friends. I do think Winchester deserves its place as one of the happiest places. We've got the college and the cathedral. 

“I've just been into the town and all the people are so sweet and lovely. It's a community.”

Javaid Akhtar runs Gervades dry cleaners in Upper Brook Street. Mr Akhtar, 56, lives in Basingstoke and said: “I can't for certain say it's the happiest, but it's definitely a great place.

“I have something to judge it against. I don't think people are unhappier in Basingstoke. They're more vocal in Winchester, but it's a great place to be.”

Tony Harvey, 38, runs menswear shop Suave Owl, in High Street, which opened earlier this year. Mr Harvey lives in Bath and commutes to the shop each day. 

He said: "You can definitely feel the community vibe and I think that leads to it being a happy place. Everyone knows everyone. 

"There's a noticeable difference between Bath and here. Bath is very much dog eat dog. People here are nicer." 

Winchester's average asking price for a house during 2023 was £571,613 and the average asking rent per calendar month was £2,097.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert said: “Searching for new areas outside of the city that are still commutable on office days and looking for cheaper properties that are in need of renovation are just some of the actions we’ve seen determined movers take this year.

"The results of this year’s study highlights that residents continue to value living near green spaces and natural beauty, features that became all the more important during the pandemic.
"With moving to an area that makes them happy a key motivator for people looking for their next home, highlighting these types of features nearby could really help sellers looking to appeal to potential buyers.”