but it turn out the best place to live in the UK isn't too far from our fair city
the Times released its annual list of the best places to live in 2025
we initially honed in on the list and scoured it for mentions of areas in London
we have to make some claim to London being among the best places to live in the UK
We’ve got a reputation to uphold over here
But the highest anywhere in London managed to rank was 11th position – which went to East London’s Walthamstow
was Saffron Walden – making it officially the best place to live in the UK
To create their list of the best places to live
The Times assessed places all over the country based on a variety of factors
They looked at everything from schools to transport
And after combing through all the of the information
The Times decided that Saffron Walden in Essex is the cream of the crop
not last time I checked…) But do you really think we’re not going to cover the reveal of the very best place to live in all of the UK
Especially when it’s so damn charming and picturesque
Just look at it – this picture-perfect town looks like it could have been plucked straight from the front of a postcard
So what is it about Saffron Walden that makes it such an aspirational place to live
The Times praised the area for combining “knockout historic looks with excellent state schools
a rich cultural offering and an exploding foodie scene that’s defying the Essex stereotypes one aperitif and spicy gordal olive at a time”
Saffron Walden also boasts a convenient proximity to the countryside as well as Cambridge and London
It’s just 15 miles and 45 miles away from each place
And while newcomers to the area are bringing fresh ideas and businesses
tradition still holds on strong in the town
“which has been going strong since 1141 and is now held twice a week.”
you’d think it would be a pretty pricey place to live
with an average property price of £607,100
But that’s clearly skewed by expensive properties in the area
“Two-bedroom cottages in the medieval centre
where else did The Times reckon was among the greatest places to live in the UK
The top 10 list included the following spots:
looks like it’s time to move to Essex then
You can read The Times’ full findings <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/best-places-to-live" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="shortcode-outbound-link" data-has-ga="true" data-ga-type="click" data-label="https://www.thetimes.com/best-places-to-live" data-action="text_cta_0" data-category="click_non_sales">here</a>.