Residents of Elmbridge have best quality of life

New research from Halifax shows that the residents of Elmbridge in Surrey have the best quality of life in Great Britain in 2008. In 2007 Elmbridge was the sixth highest ranked local authority area. Wokingham had the highest quality of life in 2007.

Householders in Elmbridge are some of the healthiest in the nation (95% in good or fairly good health) and life expectancy for newborns, at 80.4 years, is one of the highest in the country. Average earnings in Elmbridge are the 2nd highest in the survey, at £1,048 per week. The majority of householders are owner-occupiers (78%), whilst houses are larger than average (6.1 rooms). GCSE results are also above average and the area sees almost two hours more sunshine per week (30.0 hours) than the British average.

The South East region has the best quality of life; fifteen of the thirty LAs with the best quality of life are in the South East of England. Twelve are in the East of England (these include Uttlesford, Baberge and South Cambridgeshire), with two in the East Midlands (Rutland and Harborough) and one in the West Midlands (Stratford on Avon).

Rutland has the best quality of life outside the south of England; ranked 25th in the survey. In Rutland, houses are relatively large, life expectancy is longer than average and GCSE results are some of the best in England.

House prices tend to be higher in areas where the quality of life is better. House prices trade at a premium to the average house price in their region in 26 of the 30 local authorities with the best quality of life. On average, this premium is £64,550, or 27%, for the top 30 ranked areas. In Elmbridge, the average house price is £425,598; a premium of £170,192 (or 67%) to the average house price in the South East.

South Norfolk, Baberge, Rochford and St. Edmundsbury offer best value for money property. The four LAs in the top 30 trade at a discount to the regional average house price and, therefore, offer the best value for money for homebuyers are South Norfolk (-£20,762), Baberge (-£14,037), Rochford (-£11,503) and St. Edmundsbury (-£8,172).

Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax, commented: "People living in Elmbridge have the best quality of life in Great Britain. Residents in this part of Surrey tend to be healthy, have high life expectancy, enjoy relatively high earnings and are highly likely to own their own home. Elmbridge also has good school results and the weather is better than the national average. Living in Elmbridge, however, comes at a price with average property prices more than £170,000 above the average for the South East.

South Norfolk, Baberge, Rochford and St. Edmundsbury are four areas that have a high quality of life combined with lower than average house prices, therefore offering good value for money housing."