Donaghadee features in Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide

15th March 2024

Copyright - The Belfast Telegraph: Town named the best place to live in NI in The Sunday Times guide by Mark Bain 15-3-24

Donaghadee is named as one of the three locations in Northern Ireland which are featured amongst the 72 towns and villages in the comprehensive guide, Portstewart has been named the best place to live in Northern Ireland and Ormeau area is also featured.

Helen Davies, Sunday Times editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2024.

“These are all places where you can feel grounded as well as upwardly mobile: they have a mature sense of community, lively, supportive high streets and an eye to the future, whether that is eco-friendly measures, transport and regeneration, or imaginative inclusion of new housing.”

The Sunday Times’s judges visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.

“What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there,” added Helen.

“We can see what people really love about the places they live. That might be fast commutes and high-achieving schools but also clean water to swim in, lively town centres with useful shops, the possibility of earning a living and being part of a friendly community.”

The guide has been sponsored by the mortgage lender Halifax, which has provided an average house price for each location.

“We do consider affordability, though high house prices are no barrier to inclusion — as long as they provide value for money,” said Kim Kinnaird, Halifax’s homes and protection director.

“What all our best places have in common is that people love living in them and are proud to call them home.”

On Donaghadee judges said: “Life revolves around the water in this scenic and sociable hotspot on the Ards peninsula.

“It helps that Donaghadee is reputedly the driest spot in Northern Ireland, but the picturesque harbour is usually awash with paddleboards, kayaks, sailing boats and the hardy swimmers of the Donaghadee Chunky Dunkers, who have raised more than £65,000 for charity in the past decade. The sense of community is as strong as the town is charming with its lighthouse, multicoloured houses and a centre packed with useful independent shops and friendly cafes, pubs and restaurants showcasing local produce.”

Read the full article here: Town named the best place to live in NI in The Sunday Times guide