Ashford in the top 30 most desirable place to live in the country
Ashford has made the top 30 of the most desirable places to live
in the UK.
The Halifax quality of life survey has named
Ashford as the 27th most desirable place to live, ahead
of Winchester (29th), Kingston upon Thames
(30th), Kensington & Chelsea (31st),
Sevenoaks (38th), and Woking (45th).
The survey studies all of the UK’s 405 local
authority districts, and ranks them according to employment levels,
the state of the housing market, educational and health standards,
and crime rates. Additional factors include the weather, levels of
traffic congestion and access to broadband internet.
Ashford borough is the only East Kent local
authority area to feature among the 50 overall best places in the
UK to live. Six Kent local authorities made the top 50, and Ashford
sits behind Maidstone (8th ) and Tunbridge Wells
(12th ) and ahead of Sevenoaks (38th),
Tonbridge & Malling (46th) and Gravesham
(49th).
Leader of Ashford Borough Council Cllr Peter
Wood said: “For Ashford to have been placed in the top 50 of the
most desirable places to live in the UK is a tremendous
achievement, particularly given current economic conditions.
“This news is a wonderful way to round off
what has been a very big year for Ashford, with the arrival of
outstanding new youth facilities, a stunning new arts venue, and
major improvements to our road network – and 2012 holds even more
promise for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
“If Ashford can achieve 27th place
nationally during such difficult economic circumstances, we can
certainly expect great things from the borough as the economy picks
up.”
For more information, please contact our Press Office on 01233
330719 or email sinead.mason@ashford.gov.uk