Aberdeen, Belfast and Sunderland top the list of the happiest cities in the UK, according to new research by Shawbrook Bank Personal Loans.
The study, which uses a variety of metrics and ranks one another using a formula to provide a score, has revealed which UK cities are the happiest cities to live, addressing metrics such as quality of life, crime rate, average monthly salary, and average commute time.
Aberdeen’s new title as the happiest place to live in 2021 can be attributed to its high number of sunlight hours, low crime rate and respectable quality of life rating according to the latest figures on Numbeo.
Meanwhile, Belfast scores particularly highly for its low monthly bill costs and low house prices according to data from Numbeo and Zoopla, and Sunderland’s bronze position is helped by its quality of life, as it over indexes in this category quite substantially when compared to the other cities.
Some of the UK’s larger cities by population, such as London and Birmingham, fail to make the top 10 for happiest places to live – marked down for their high house prices and crime rate.
Top 10 happiest cities to live:
| Rank | City | Overall score |
| 1 | Aberdeen | 6.25 |
| 2 | Belfast | 6.05 |
| 3 | Sunderland | 5.93 |
| 4 | Edinburgh | 5.74 |
| 5 | Middlesbrough | 5.50 |
| 6 | York | 5.49 |
| 7 | Dundee | 5.34 |
| 8 | Glasgow | 5.28 |
| 9 | Bournemouth | 5.27 |
| 10 | Norwich | 5.25 |
Shawbrook Bank’s research also looks at important career orientated metrics to help calculate the top places to work in the UK, including factors such as average salaries, weekly hours worked and commute times.
Aberdeen again takes the top spot for best UK city for work-life balance, with working hours being 0.4 under the UK average and commute times being 13 minutes under the UK average.
This time London does feature in the top ten, pushing its way up to the number two position. The capital’s high average monthly salary and shorter commute times stand out as key reasons why it ranks highly for a work-life balance.
Belfast again makes it into the top three, this time scoring highly for its weekly working hours being below the UKs average according to ONS figures, while Brighton and Bournemouth’s shorter working weeks also means these cities can be great places to work.
Top 10 cities to work:
| Rank | City | Overall score |
| 1 | Aberdeen | 7.78 |
| 2 | London | 7.16 |
| 3 | Belfast | 7.12 |
| 4 | Brighton | 6.68 |
| 5 | Bournemouth | 6.57 |
| 6 | Derby | 6.53 |
| 7 | Cambridge | 6.48 |
| 8 | Birmingham | 6.36 |
| 9 | Middlesbrough | 6.25 |
| 10 | Oxford | 6.23 |
Sally Conway, Head of Consumer Communications, Shawbrook Bank comments, “The past 18 months have been extremely difficult for many Brits trying to regain their work-life balance.
“Being happy in the city you live in is so important but can depend on a number of factors. Whether it’s a shorter commute time, more hours of daylight or being able to choose from a vast array of takeaways or parks to enjoy, it’s important to consider what works best for you and your lifestyle.
“Our happiest cities index takes into account a range of metrics that apply to a healthy work-life balance, allowing consumers to evaluate how they live and work and if their city allows for what they attribute to a healthy work-life balance.”
How can Brits look after their wellbeing in places they live and work?
Looking after our health and wellbeing has never been so important, especially over the last 18 months where we’ve faced many challenges and changes due to the pandemic. Sally Conway, Head of Consumer Communications at Shawbrook Bank shares her top tips on how you can take care of yourself regardless of where you live or work:
Keep active – Whether it’s taking an evening stroll or getting sweaty during an outdoor bootcamp, being active and keeping ourselves healthy is vital to both our physical wellbeing and mental health. Working off the stress from a rough day at work or using it as a chance to meet with your friends, exercise provides so many benefits that can have a positive impact on our wellbeing.
Take charge of your finances – Getting to grips with your finances and taking the time to understand them can also help your wellbeing and give you piece of mind. Money matters and mental health can be closely linked so it’s important to take the time to figure out what you want to achieve and set out a clear budget. Whether it’s managing your finances, looking to borrow, or trying to save more each month, taking steps to improve your finances can help you to relieve stress and feel more in control.
Connect with others – Keeping in contact with friends, family and the wider community is important for your wellbeing. Not only can it provide support, but it can also help form good relationships and positive social interactions. The easing of the restrictions now means we can meet people face to face, which is a welcomed change. And if you are self-isolating, a phone call or a facetime with your nearest and dearest could be just the thing you need to give you a boost and contribute positively to your mental health.
For more information on supporting your mental health and wellbeing visit the NHS.
For more information on how wellbeing ranks in your city visit: https://www.shawbrook.co.uk/direct/personal-loans/happiest-places-to-live-and-work-in/
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Source: http://hrnews.co.uk/these-are-the-cities-that-work-the-least-hours-in-the-uk/
