Story Highlight
– Glasgow identified as best city to raise a family.
– Average house prices in Glasgow at £157,900.
– Aberdeen ranked second with lowest crime rate index.
– York has highest healthcare index among top three.
– London ranked worst city due to high living costs.
Full Story
A recent analysis has revealed the most suitable city in the UK for raising a family, ranking various locations based on affordability, safety, educational facilities, and a variety of other factors. The study conducted by Kaybridge Residential, an independent estate agency, assessed a total of 21 cities and assigned scores out of 100 to help gauge their family-friendliness.
Glasgow emerges as the standout city, achieving a perfect score of 100. The research highlights the city’s attractive combination of reasonable property prices and a high quality of life. With average property prices sitting at £157,900, Glasgow is deemed particularly accessible for first-time buyers and families seeking more spacious living accommodations. The city also boasts a commendable educational landscape with 192 schools, which provides ample choices for parents, alongside a competitive crime rate index of 45.5. In terms of air quality, Glasgow performed well, described as “excellent” by the study’s authors. Furthermore, monthly childcare expenses in Glasgow average £867, a figure that is comparatively lower than in many southern cities.
Kevin Barzegar, the founder and chief executive of Kaybridge Residential, remarked, “Glasgow proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to give your family a great quality of life.” Recent figures from property website Rightmove reveal an overall average house price of £238,958 in Glasgow over the past year, with remarkably affordable options such as a two-bedroom flat located in Anniesland listed at a mere £25,000.
In the second position is Aberdeen, achieving a score of 91.39. The city is noted for its even lower average house price of £135,500, making it the most economical option among the top ten cities listed. The authors of the report emphasize Aberdeen’s appeal, particularly its impressively low crime rate index of 36.8, which renders it one of the safest cities for families in the UK. Barzegar highlighted the advantages of living in Aberdeen, saying, “Aberdeen’s combination of rock-bottom house prices and very low crime makes it particularly appealing for young families who prioritise safety and want to get more for their money.”
York secures the third spot in the ranking with a score of 85.64. Despite having a higher average property value of £315,504, which is over double that of Glasgow, York compensates with the lowest crime rate index among the top three cities at 27.1. This city also excels in healthcare, boasting the highest Health Care Index at 82.39. The living costs in York average £2,222.95, which helps to balance out the elevated property prices. Families can select from 74 educational institutions, while the average monthly childcare cost stands at £929.
The study continues with a number of other cities making the top ten list: Edinburgh (84.55), Newcastle (79.81), Leicester (73.01), Sheffield (70.95), Portsmouth (65.76), Liverpool (64.49), and Cardiff (61.44).
Conversely, the study has illustrated that London ranks at the bottom of the scale as the least favourable city for family life, scoring precisely zero. Following London are Manchester (31.92), Birmingham (31.94), and Bristol (37.46), with additional cities such as Southampton (45.49), Leeds (46.82), Oxford (48.07), Nottingham (50.03), Belfast (53.18), and Bournemouth (53.19) trailing closely behind.
Barzegar articulates the struggles faced by families in London, stating, “London’s sheer expense makes it prohibitive for many young families. Even with high salaries, the combination of housing costs, childcare fees and daily living expenses means families struggle to save or enjoy the quality of life they could have elsewhere.”
On the subject of Manchester, he further commented: “Crime rates are one of the most heavily weighted factors in our study because safety is non-negotiable for parents. Manchester’s high crime index is a major barrier despite other advantages the city offers.” According to the data, Manchester faces the second-highest crime rate index, recorded at 56.2, only marginally better than that of London.
The methodology employed in Kaybridge Residential’s study involved multiple weighted factors to determine a Family-Friendliness Score out of 100. Significant criteria included average property prices sourced from the Land Registry, crime statistics from Numbeo, the availability of schools, adjusted monthly childcare costs for inflation foreseen in 2024, and various indices relating to healthcare, green spaces, and air quality. This comprehensive assessment also accounted for the overall cost of living, with a particular emphasis placed on crime rates and educational access, which were weighted the most heavily.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights for families considering relocation and emphasises the varying degrees of affordability and safety across different cities.
Our Thoughts
The article does not contain specific incidents or concerns related to health and safety issues that would require analysis under UK legislation. It primarily discusses property prices and family-friendly metrics across cities in the UK. Therefore, there are no relevant safety lessons, compliance issues, or recommendations for preventing similar incidents that could be derived from the information presented.
