Garrington Property Finders has identified Redbourn in Hertfordshire as the top spot to live in England and Wales.
Its 2025 Best Places to Live Index revealed that Redbourn, known for its golf courses and historical roots, saw property prices drop by 8.2% last year, defying national trends.
This picturesque village less than 30 miles from London topped the rankings for its blend of value, natural beauty, good schools, and quality of life.
A family home in Redbourn averages £767,501, reflecting a price dip that bolstered its standing in the value for money category.
Epsom in Surrey followed as the second-best place, praised for top schools and jobs.
Its average property price is £790,983, reflecting a 2.5% decrease.
Whitburn in Tyne and Wear and Marple in Greater Manchester also ranked high, each noted for their price stability amidst rising regional averages.
In Northumberland, Alnwick stood out for value with homes costing an average of £327,246, benefiting from its historical charm including the castle used in the Harry Potter films.
The most expensive location on the list was St Albans in Hertfordshire, driven by its appeal to commuters and quality schools.
The data also showed regional variations in property price changes.
While London saw a modest rise, areas like the North East experienced significant increases.
Despite these trends, places like Penarth in Wales offered better value with lower-than-average price growth, proving advantageous for buyers.
Jonathan Hopper, CEO at Garrington Property Finders, said: “The headline data suggests property prices are rising across England and Wales, but scratch the surface and some areas are bucking this trend to become significantly better value.
“Our analysis has revealed several highly desirable parts of England and Wales where prices have either fallen, or risen more slowly, over the past year.
“Some of the biggest savings are to be made in perennially popular, prime locations which offer excellent amenities, a high standard of living and now also improving value.”
Hopper added: “With mortgage interest rates forecast to come down gradually during 2025, many would-be buyers and movers are likely to progress their plans in coming months, keen to capitalise on the combination of lower borrowing costs and a highly competitive market in which buyers often hold the cards when it comes to negotiating the best price.
“Our team of experts across England and Wales is already seeing a surge in interest from buyers who’ve decided to kickstart their previously paused moving plans in 2025.
“If this is you, our latest Best Places to Live guide can help you identify locations with the optimum blend of natural beauty, quality of life and value for money.”
He said: “All of the 1447 cities, towns and villages selected for our 2025 ranking score well in at least one category, and you can use our interactive search tool to find places that offer more of the things that matter most to you.”
