Kirkcaldy Named Scotland's Happiest Place to Call Home in Rightmove Study

Kirkcaldy has been named the happiest place to live in Scotland, according to property website Rightmove's annual Happy at Home Index.

Residents across Great Britain took part in the research, which measures how people feel about where they live, considering everything from green spaces and local services to employment opportunities and community pride.

The findings place Kirkcaldy at the top of the Scottish rankings and 18th overall across Great Britain. 

Rightmove's 15th annual Happy at Home Index found that four in five people across Great Britain are happy with where they live, while the happiest communities tend to combine strong access to nature and green spaces with the practical amenities people rely on every day. 

The research highlighted a growing desire among residents for a balance of greenery and convenience. While more than half of respondents said they would ideally live somewhere rural, two-thirds also said having shops and amenities nearby was important, alongside green spaces and good public transport links. 

Commenting on Kirkcaldy's success, Colleen Babcock, Rightmove's property expert, said:

"What stands out about Kirkcaldy is the strong sense of belonging residents feel. Alongside its community spirit, people value its green spaces, local services and transport connections. When people are choosing where to live, it's often this combination of community and the practical things you rely on day to day that can turn an area into somewhere you're genuinely happy to call home."

Across the UK, nature and green space featured strongly among the happiest places to live, with eight of the top ten locations also ranking highly for access to the outdoors. The study suggests that the places people rate most highly are often those that successfully blend community spirit, local amenities and access to green spaces. 

Richmond upon Thames topped the overall Great Britain rankings, followed by Harrogate and Cirencester, while Kirkcaldy led the way in Scotland and Monmouth was ranked the happiest place in Wales. 

The survey, now in its 15th year, received responses from 24,375 people across 221 locations throughout Great Britain.