It may be the most affordable borough to live in within the capital, but Barking and Dagenham is the least happy place to live in the country.
It has the cheapest property prices in London, but Barking and Dagenham scored the lowest in five of Rightmove’s 12 criteria to judge residents’ happiness. The area came at the bottom of a list of 130 spots.
Barking and Dagenham was voted the worst for community, area upkeep, safety, amenity and neighbourliness.
Separate research earlier this year also found that Dagenham is Britain’s most burgled town.
Darren Rodwell, Barking and Dagenham Council leader, says: “I find this report quite amusing, as we have just had tens of thousands of people coming to a series of events celebrating 50 years of our borough.
“This was the largest community celebration of its kind in London and as a result, we even had Her Majesty the Queen coming here a couple of weeks ago to see our fantastic borough and residents.”
He says the area is ready for growth and development, stating: “London is moving east and we are at the heart of it.”1
The north Yorkshire town of Harrogate was voted the happiest place to live for the third consecutive year, coming first for area upkeep, pride and safety.
At the bottom of the list were Hounslow, Brent, Harrow and Newham, indicating that high house prices in London have a negative impact on locals.
Of all London boroughs, Richmond was rated the happiest.
Traditionally, house prices are higher down south, but Barking and Dagenham’s average price of £225,455 is much lower than Harrogate’s £277,049.
Top 10 happiest places to live in the UK
| Position |
Area |
| 1 | Harrogate |
| 2 | Shrewsbury |
| 3 | Ipswich |
| 4 | York |
| 5 | Chester |
| 6 | Inverness |
| 7 | Llandrindod Wells |
| 8 | Hemel Hempstead |
| 9 | Watford |
| 10 | Blackpool |
Top 10 unhappiest places to live in the UK
|
Position |
Area |
| 1 | Barking and Dagenham |
| 2 | Hounslow |
| 3 | Brent |
| 4 | Harrow |
| 5 | Newham |
| 6 | Tower Hamlets |
| 7 | Greenwich |
| 8 | Luton |
| 9 | Hillingdon |
| 10 | Haringey |