Norwich and Great Massingham ranked among best places to live in East Anglia

The Sunday Times has revealed its top seven places to live in the East

Norwich was highly rated because of its local businesses, as well as its market
Published 8th Apr 2022

Norwich and Great Massingham have come out on top in a list of the best places to live in the East of England, with Norwich coming out on top.

The Sunday Times looked a range of factors to come up with its list, including schools, local transport, green spaces, broadband speeds and the health of the high street.

Norwich is descirbed as 'Britain's most likeable small city' with its picturesque buildings, cafes and market. But the average home will set you back around £304,000 - 13% more than the average house price in 2020.

Prices in Great Massingham are similarly steep, with an average price of £364,000. However its described as a village with a 'brilliant community spirit' just half and hour from the coast.

The Sunday Times list for the East of England was as follows:

- Winner: Norwich, Norfolk

- Boxford, Suffolk

- Great Massingham, Norfolk

- Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

- St Ives, Cambridgeshire

- Saffron Walden, Essex

- Woodbridge, Suffolk

Great Massingham is said to have a 'brilliant community spirit'

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said:

“The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list is necessarily subjective. Leave it just to statistics and you will never capture the spirit of a place. For that, you need to visit to take into account that ‘you have to be here’ feeling.

"Is the pub dog-friendly, for example? Can you live car-free? What are the schools and houses like? Is it multicultural and multigenerational, and can it offer a good way of life to lots of different sorts of people?

“Ten years ago, when we launched the inaugural list, London’s gravitational pull was strong, the WFH revolution had not yet reached our doorstep and high streets were stacked with chains. How times have changed — and how welcome that change is.

“This year we have discovered new best places to live, from resurgent city centres in the North, rejuvenated suburbs across the country, hidden villages in the Southwest, and a commutable Scottish island.

“We hope there is something to suit everyone.”

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