It’s grim down south according to new research which ranks nine other southern towns and cities in the bottom ten least-desirable places to call home.
London has been named the tenth least desirable place to live in Britain, even though more than 8.8 million people call it home.
The country’s capital, despite being packed with iconic historic landmarks, national institutions and several royal residences, has made its way onto a tally of the worst places to reside in 2024.
Satellite commuter towns to London; Slough, Luton, Hove, Basildon, and Gillingham packed out the top five respectively, with Berkshire’s Slough earning the dubious top spot.
The BBC’s hit comedy show The Office was set in Slough, with the opening credits giving the impression of grey dreary backwater filled with no-hope office jobs.
More southeastern and southern locations follow in the miserable footsteps of the top five on the list, with High Wycombe, Crawley and Watford all featuring in the bottom half of the table.
Only the West Midlands’ West Bromwich offers a chance for people outside of the south to live somewhere judged to be not very desirable. The suburban area close to Birmingham is ranked the fourth-poorest area in Britain.
Finally in the table of town and city shame, London storms in to take 10th place marking a remarkable entry for a city which is often on a global stage hosting international sporting, political and music events.
The research, conducted by house buying experts housebuyers4u, created five categories based on data from the Home Office and Tripadvisor.
These include a culture score (based on shopping, nightlife, and more), a green score (based on the count and rating of nature and parks), a housing score (based on housing affordability), a utility score (based on energy and gas), and a violent crime score (based on the annual increase or decrease of reported incidents).
According to the survey, the north and Scotland fared much better as places to set up home with York seen as the best local authority for residents, followed by Nottingham, Blackpool, Edinburgh, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Luton town centre (Image: Getty )
The five categories were given a score out of 100, which contributed to a final index score. The locations with the highest final index score have been named the most desirable places to live in Britain.
Paul Gibbens, Property Expert at housebuyers4u, said: “These findings have highlighted the best places to live in 2024.
“York, a location known for historic buildings and picturesque landscapes that attract millions of visitors yearly, takes the top spot due to its unique combination of cultural vibrancy, abundant green spaces, and more.
“This recognition is a testament to York’s ability to balance tradition with modern amenities, making it a sought-after location for residents looking for both charm and practicality.”
Watford also came in the top 10 worst places to live (Image: Getty )
Britain’s least desirable places to live in 2024
10. London
9. Watford
8. West Bromwich
7. Crawley
6. High Wycombe
5. Gillingham
4. Basildon
3. Hove
2. Luton
1. Slough
