A town  in the south east has been named the UK’s best place to live and work. New research from Colony has revealed the UK’s top five areas for combining career opportunities with quality of life.

The study analysed 13 indicators that shape how people live and work including everything from salaries, GDP growth and employment rates to house prices, commute times and overall life satisfaction. Reading  topped the list, boasting the UK’s highest employment rate at 86.1% (UK wide – 75.3%) as well as one of the strongest salaries, with a median income of £45,618 (UK wide-  £37,430). 

It has a GDP per capita of £65,090 (UK wide – £56,636) and growth of 23.6% since 2019 – much of it being driven by finance and technology. Productivity is also strong, with workers adding £49 per hour in value. Reading’s workforce is highly skilled, 76.3% at Level 3 or above (UK wide – 67.9%), and well-connected, with one of the UK’s shortest commutes, just eight and a half minutes on average (UK wide – 29 minutes). Life satisfaction scores 7.43 out of 10 (UK wide – 7.45)

Housing is relatively more expensive, with average prices at £340,000 and average monthly rents at £1,026. The UK house price average is £269,000 and the rent average is £1,365.

However, this is reflective of the area’s desirability as the UK’s largest town, as well as its ideal location nestled between the nature reserve of north Wessex Downs Nature Reserve and London.

With lower levels of mental health strain than many other regions, Reading offers a combination of high salaries, career opportunities, and strong lifestyle factors. 

Reading has over 100 parks and playgrounds, including five miles of riverside paths. In the town centre is Forbury Gardens, a public park built on the site of the outer court of Reading Abbey. 

The largest public park in Reading is Prospect Park, an estate in west Reading previously owned by Frances Kendrick but acquired by Reading Corporation in 1901. 

Important historic monuments are Reading Abbey, High Bridge, Greyfriars Church, St Laurence’s Church, and Reading Minster.

Also on the list are Wokingham, Swindon, and Warrington. Wokingham has the list’s highest disposable household income of £28,641. Swindon has a median salary of £39,252 and Warringtons is £22,152.