So it’s decided: a bunch of American travel experts have named the coolest places to live in the UK. The folks at Nomads Nation have compiled a list of the cities with the absolute best vibes, and some of their choices may surprise you.
While acknowledging the high cost of living in the capital, Nomads Nation awarded London the top spot, with Dalston and Bethnal Green getting specific shout-outs.
Perhaps surprisingly, Portsmouth took second place for its history and vibrant student scene, with Brighton coming third for its laid-back vibe and LGBTQ-friendly nightlife.
The website took into account key ‘liveability’ factors like atmosphere, sights and culture. The authors wrote: ‘There are a surprising amount of amazing places to base yourself in the United Kingdom, from cities close to the countryside, to coastal bastions of culture, there’s so much to choose from here.
‘You might want to go for the liberal living of Brighton, the history of beautiful Edinburgh, or maybe you’ve always wanted to live in London (we don’t blame you), maybe you want to try out a few; whichever you choose, you are in for a special time.’
Here’s the top ten in full:
1. London
2. Portsmouth
3. Brighton
4. Edinburgh
5. Oxford
6. Manchester
7. Bristol
8. Exeter
9. Belfast
10. Cardiff
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