A recent research Royal Mail conducted has discovered the 10 most desirable postcodes in England. Although many may be surprised, big cities like London, Birmingham or Manchester failed to make the list.
The results of the research are based on the balance between several characteristics like crime rates, home prices and open spaces in the area. Even though the assessment is based on data, rather than the citizens’ opinions, this uncovers an interesting fact about what people should look for in a town or city.
According to the research affordability and security are more important than the prospects of fame and success that a big city has to offer. Low crime rate, good housing prices and adequate schools are the top criteria in the research. Although there have been arguments that the analysis does not show the reality, these factors are constantly pointed out as issues of the bigger city.
With less than 14 000 citizens Bebington, Wirral, ranks at the top of the list. Its top advantage is its high employment rate; other town assets include its very good schools and the short commutes to and from work. Moreover, the town is very well connected to the surrounding area through the M53 and its two railway stations.
Career prospects seem to be just as attractive in smaller towns as they are in the big cities. Dalton-in-Furness has attracted a few major investors that chose to locate their business there and create thousands of job opportunities. This fact, along with the town’s low real estate prices has earned it a place in the top 3 in England.
What makes Dorchester, Dorset a desirable place to live (England’s number 6 most desired postcode) is its well organized infrastructure that connects the town to the rest of the country. Real estate is more than affordable, especially compared to the prices of homes in larger urban areas. In fact, visitors and locals have stated that the city has become livelier in the last few years.
Glamorous city life is not that attractive according to the results of the research. Undoubtedly, big cities offer a wider variety of choices how to spend your free time which small towns would not be able to match. However, the research measured that the existence of open spaces trumps the night life diversity. Most of the towns in the top 10 have kept their touch with nature.
Apart from having green spaces within the town, some offer quite a few attractions like walk paths in the nearby forests.
The results of the research reveal that the existence of reliable schools in the area is far more important than a good nightlife. Some may argue that education in bigger cities is inarguably better than smaller towns, again, because of the wider variety of options. Still, the research shows that when it comes to the balance between several factors, smaller towns seem to have noticeable advantage.
Short commutes to and from work are one of the most valued characteristics used in Royal Mail’s assessment. If you think about it, something as simple as going to work can really influence the quality of one’s life. Long commutes involving multiple changes between transportation means can inevitably cause stress and have long-term negative effects on a person’s health.
Royal Mail’s research presented quite interesting results. What would be even more interesting to observe in the near future is if these prove to be true and if these and other smaller towns can indeed become a desirable relocation destination.
