An Essex city has been named as the best place to live in the East of England.
Three Essex and four Suffolk locations have made The Sunday Times’ Best Places To Live list for 2018.
Topping the list as the best place to live in the East of England is Chelmsford.
Chelmsford City Council leader Roy Whitehead said: “To hear that Chelmsford has been voted the Best Place to Live in the East of England is fantastic and a testament to the hard work and commitment to improve our city by, not only the city council but all our partners, other authorities, and of course the residents of Chelmsford who help to make it the great place it is.”
The guide, which ranks towns on factors including jobs, schools, broadband speed, culture, community spirit and local shops, also featured Bungay, Hadleigh, Orford and Woodbridge, Wivenhoe and Saffron Walden in Essex.
Amanda Bond, of Visit Suffolk, said: “I’m delighted Suffolk has made The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live for 2018, but I’m not actually surprised.
“The attractiveness and appeal of the county extends beyond holiday visitors with its well-connected transport links, proximity to London, picturesque market towns and seaside locations – Suffolk is the perfect place to live!
“Suffolk has a soothing charm which is alive with community spirit, cutting-edge art and a great sense of heritage. There’s something rather special about Suffolk which isn’t always a tangible thing – it has a great sense of place, sense of being.”
Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey was “delighted two jewels along the Suffolk coast” had been included, adding: “Both Orford and Woodbridge have a great sense of community and are lively though tranquil places to live and enjoy.”
Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin said: “I first knew Wivenhoe when my mother took us there to stay as toddlers. It has always held a special charm for me – a mixture of old England romantic and gritty Essex, even though the shipbuilding has gone.
“It has a traditional community, with a strong streak of radicalism and non-conformism, with intellectuals and artists, and which has integrated a lot of incomers and commuters.”
Other locations to make the list include Norwich and Wymondham in Norfolk.
• What do you think of these locations?
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