Where in the UK has the best standard of living and why?

Question

I think the North of England as everything is cheaper than the south so people have more disposable income. Yes, people down south may get payed a little more (not a lot as my pay wouldn't change drastically in London) but everything down south costs so much its too hard to afford to live. Case Study: I was in Morrisons the other day and I heard a southern family talking. The Daugther said to her mother " Why do we have to live here? I want to go back down south with my friends." Mother: "If you don't want us to be able to afford to eat then will move back down south!"

Answer 1

ASBO places up north? Like Hackney, Harlesden and Enfield, Bob M? Notice how people moan about lack of respect and how the whole country is now...and they will also harp on about early/mid 20th century (and even the 19th century). Isn't it odd that when Britain was indeed great, the people and districts that were making it great were far, far from London.
Of course London has most of the cream today on account of leisure and dreams of people in continental Europe who still think it's all about 1962 Routemasters, smiling and pedestrian policemen, pearly queens and bangers 'n' mash - despite learning their lessons soon after arrival, they stay not because of the city's reputation, but because there's more of them in London.
No...this isn't a slap at London, but as much who have come to the city, in say, 30 years - the same amount have left.
Of course you can live cheaply in London...they do have Netto, Aldi and Lidl - usually in the parts of London which are scorned by the rest of the city...south of the Thames (or ASBO heaven, according to the right-wing Evening Standard).

Norfolk is a fine county - but parts of Norwich has become somewhat rough over the years...but I'll never leave. Places are as you make them, but it's best to ignore the hype of the press and find out yourself.

Answer 2

It depends exactly what you mean by standard of living. By a strict definition then Kensington & Chelsea has the highest standard of living, property is extremely expensive there and those who live there are either living on inherited wealth or have jobs with such high salaries that London is the only place that you could earn such amounts. These are the types that can also afford second homes 5x the size of anyone else's just for the weekends. I live in Scotland and there are plenty of 'estates' which function as weekend or holiday residences. This type of wealth ensures all sorts of additional benefits such as access to the best of private healthcare and education. Even if you don't approve, this is how wealth and high standard of living are passed down through the generations.

For people who don't fall into this class then perhaps standard of living might be described as a combination of earnings, what you can get with that money and quality of life. In this case my vote would go to my area in Scotland and parts of the north of England. I live in a rural area and relatively unspoiled countryside and friendly neighbours are high on my list of priorities.

However, the downside of the above is that life expectancy is lower than some areas, partly because of higher levels of poverty than other parts of the country and partly because access to things like best quality of food might be restricted because of supermarket 'grading' of their customers buying habits etc.

If you want best longevity and low cost of living then East Anglia will come top of the list, but like everywhere else it has its downsides.

Answer 3

I'm sorry, Val, I went to Skegness once and it left me feeling unspeakably depressed- everyone looked so ill, as if they had indeed been eating nothing but fish and chips for their whole lives.

I think that Edinburgh and Perth usually do well in surveys: Edinburgh as a beautiful medium sized city and Perth as a county town. Shrewsbury and Hereford also do well, as does the stockbroker's resting place, Tumbridge Wells. Dorset does well too.

London is an excellent place to live if you are wealthy and single with cultural interests. Otherwise it is just tough.

Answer 4

Try Skegness. Lincolnshire. Flat as a pancake, so your vehicle just rolls along the roads saving fuel. Fields and fields of affordable housing, 2 and 3 bedrooms, toilet, bathroom, kitchen, HUGE living area and patio. All with wheels for easy transportation. Super coastal views of the North Sea with its beautiful sandy beaches and rental beach huts. Food??? Fish and chips of course, smothered in gravy or mushy peas (or both!). A ton of Skegness rock and candy floss available in a virtual rainbow of colours (think of the additives!). Yep, Skegness is the place to be.

Answer 5

I used to work for a print company and they did lots of food covers , the prices on the front were always slightly cheaper for up north , but I would still prefer to live here in the south as I have lived here all my life ,its all I know ,plus its warmer here as we are nearer Europe, & better the devil you know.

Answer 6

London has unrivalled culture and options. Nowhere else in the UK matches it. You can live here cheaply if you are smart. I prefer it over the nightmare ASBO places up north. And the rain!

Answer 7

Find the happiest place and you've found the place with the best standard of living.

Answer 8

The house of commons, everything subsidised and not bad wages, plus perks.

Answer 9

whole place is too expensive and a dump...... cant wait to leave but finding it hard to afford emigrating