The Sunday Times revealed the results of their annual Best Places to Live poll for 2022, and three Northern Irish towns were ranked among the very best.
Three Northern Irish towns have been named among the UK’s best places to live for 2022.
From stunning coastal towns to vibrant and buzzing cities, the UK is home to hundreds of great places to live. From Scotland to Wales to England to Northern Ireland, there are plenty of fantastic spots to lay down your roots.
Boasting fantastic amenities, great quality of life, and stunning scenery, there is plenty of choice when it comes to finding the perfect location.
The Northern Irish winners – the best of the best
The Sunday Times revealed 70 fantastic spots across the UK in their Best Places to Live poll for 2022. According to the results, three Northern Irish towns ranked among the UK’s best places to live.
Topping the polls as the regional winner is the coastal town of Ballycastle in County Antrim. Set along the picturesque Antrim Coast, Ballycastle is a friendly fishing village. The town has a great sense of community, local Irish pubs, and plenty of top-class eateries.
Overlooked by Fair Head, much of the area surrounding Ballycastle featured in the iconic HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones. Thus, lending to the romantic appeal of the area.
Three Northern Irish towns named among the UK’s best places to live – become a Derry Girl
Featuring alongside Ballycastle are two other Northern Irish locations, which would provide the perfect place to set up home.
Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, Derry, ranked among the very best. Despite its troubled past, the city has thrived in the past 20 years. Today, it has become a hub of culture and modernity.
Set on the Foyle, Derry offers a friendly local feel and is home to some of Northern Ireland’s top-class eateries.
Located in the northwest of the country, living in Derry, you would be ideally located to explore the picturesque north coast of Ireland, including County Donegal and the Causeway Coast.
The third Northern Irish destination to make the list – a stunning cityside beach location
Joining Derry and Ballycastle to be ranked among the three Northern Irish towns named among the UK’s best places to live is Helen’s Bay in County Down.
Located less than 30 minutes outside of Belfast, Helen’s Bay is a scenic coastal town that boasts all the modern luxuries you could want from the perfect hometown.
Helen’s Bay is the chosen home location of some of Northern Ireland’s most successful (including Rory McIlroy and Jamie Dornan). So, the town is the perfect place to live for those who want easy access to the capital.
Stocked full-on independent eateries, great schools, and local businesses, the sense of community here is among the very best.
Other top locations – the UK’s best places to live
Coming out on top as the very best place to live in the UK is Ilkley in West Yorkshire. Known for its buzzing high street and scenic location, the West Yorkshire town has gained a reputation as a great place to live.
Norwich was named the best place to live in the east. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace took the crown for best in London. Uppingham in Rutland took the prize for best in the Midlands. Similarly, Slaithwaite in West Yorkshire was named best in the north and northeast.
Trawden in Lancashire was named the best in the northwest. Travelling north, the Isle of Bute in Argyll was named the best in Scotland.
Sevenoaks in Kent took the top spot for best in the southeast and Chalke Valley in Wiltshire took best in the southwest. Finally, Llandeilo in Camarthenshire took best in Wales.
