Kirkcaldy named happiest place to stay in Scotland in new survey
Kirkcaldy has been named the happiest place to stay in Scotland.
The accolade came in a UK-wide annual survey conducted by Rightmove.
The Lang Toun took the honours for north of the border, ahead of second placed Perth. Third spot went to Inverness, Dundee came fourth and Galashiels fifth.
The “happy at home index” gave no specific reasons why Kirkcaldy topped the poll, while Richmond Upon Thames - the UK winner - was given a fulsome write-up, and even the Mayor got involved with a celebratory quote.
Right Move’s website simply said: “Each year we ask thousands of people across Great Britain how they feel about where they live. Feeling happy at home isn’t just about the property. It’s also about the wider area, the community, and how close you are to the things which matter most.”
People took part in the research after being emailed via the agent’s database, so the survey was self-selecting. We’ve asked Right Moveto expand on its research and reasoning - although we already knew the Lang Toun was a great place to live!
Overall, Kirkcaldy was listed 18th happiest place to stay in the UK.
So, maybe recognition came on the back of it hosting its biggest ever public art trail - 17 giant sized Wemyss Ware cats, all designed by Fife artists which drew thousands of visitors, and sold for auction for a cumulative £100,000.
The town centre has also witnessed a boom in giant artworks on a number of buildings, adding colour to the main shopping thoroughfare. These include a massive portrait of a young Adam Smith looking out to sea, and a celebration of Kirkcaldy’s world-leading role as the home of linoleum.
Kirkcaldy is also fine tuning its masterplan to invest £20million from the UK Government’s Growth Mission Fund which is designed to kickstart a transformation of the town centre and its waterfront.
And, of course, at its very heart are a host of community groups which do so much to support people, organise events and offer places that are open to all.
It’s certainly a far more affordable place to live than Richmond upon Thames.
Right Move purred over its “easy access to central London” and residents “being able to stroll down the Thames pathways, spot roaming deer, and enjoy boutiques and cafes” - assuming they can afford the average asking price for a home there. That’s a cool £1million.
Elsewhere, Harrogate in North Yorkshire was placed second, while Cirencester in Gloucestershire was third, according to Rightmove’s 15th annual “happy at home index”.
In Wales, Monmouth was the highest ranked
Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: “This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”
Ian Harris, president of NAEA (National Association of Estate Agents), said: “For some buyers, being close to work, good transport links and a lively social scene will be top of the list. For others, it’s having a garden, good schools nearby or being able to walk to the local shops and know their neighbours. These priorities also change as people move through different stages of life.
“It’s also worth remembering that the most expensive locations aren’t necessarily the ones that will make everyone happiest.
“A home that meets your needs, within a community where you feel connected and have access to the things that matter to you, can be worth far more than an impressive postcode.”