If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life for somewhere a little more tranquil, then beside the coast is the place to be. Here in the UK, we have so many gorgeous seaside towns and villages, each with their own unique appeal.
And brand new research has uncovered which of these is not only home to the happiest people, but also the most affordable too. The experts at Regency Living say that when it comes to finding these happy places that don’t cost an arm and a leg to live in, seaside and countryside towns often outperform the big cities. And one location that was crowned the very best was Southwold, a charming town with so much to offer.
This ‘quintessentially British’ seaside town on the Suffolk coast has a sandy beach and a Victorian style promenade lined with colourful houses. It offers the perfect environment, not just for a weekend trip, but for living too.
Here, the average house price is £287,938, with residents reporting an average ‘wellbeing score’ of 7.86.
Overall, Regency Living’s analysis shows that seaside towns consistently outperform cities when it comes to life satisfaction. And even better: with the UK happiness average at 7.39, these locations all sit comfortably above the national baseline, all without pushing house prices beyond £300,000.
When you’re in Southwold, there’s no shortage of things to do. The town has two lovely beaches, as well as the famous and award-winning Adnan’s Brewery, plenty of independent shops and eateries, and an impressive lighthouse that you can tour.
For youngsters, there’s also a giant maze with a park, tractor rides and a zipwire. It’s a lovely destination no matter the time of year, and there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.
“With property costs climbing across much of the UK, it’s easy to assume that happiness is a luxury reserved for the wealthy,” said Tim Simmons, Sales & Marketing Director at Regency Living. “But these towns prove otherwise. People aren’t just chasing square footage, they want space, serenity, and community, and they’re finding it in smaller towns and coastal retreats without having to break the bank.”
He added: “Peaceful streets, walkable areas, and natural surroundings all feed into higher life satisfaction. And the fact that many of these towns remain affordable makes them especially appealing for those looking to stretch their quality of life, not just their budget.”
The UK’s happiest and most affordable seaside towns
- Southwold – £287,938 (Happiness: 7.86)
- Woolacombe – £283,913 (Happiness: 7.56)
- St Ives – £281,471 (Happiness: 7.51)
- Whitby – £272,463 (Happiness: 7.57)
- Margate – £269,525 (Happiness: 7.69)
- Tenby – £221,445 (Happiness: 7.55)
- Crosby – £217,133 (Happiness: 7.42)
- Skegness – £208,955 (Happiness: 7.66)
- Porthmadog – £196,584 (Happiness: 7.51)