The Sunday Times has released its 'Best Places to Live 2023' list and Reading has made the cut, for the second year running.

Reading was voted as one of the Best Places to Live in the Southeast England category, alongside Oxford, Guildford and Seven Dials in Brighton & Hove. Chichester, West Sussex, came first place in this category.

The Sunday Times’ expert judges have 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. 

Reading was praised by judges: "The force is with Reading – and not just because of the latest Star Wars spin-off that’s being filmed at the new Shinfield Studios. It’s the combination of great job prospects and transport links with relatively affordable property prices that make the town a hard-to-beat option for millennials and Gen Z. The leisure options are good, too, from the Biscuit Factory cinema to the restored Thames Lido."

Editor of Best Places to Live 2023, Helen Davies, said: “When times are tough, where we live matters more than ever. Attractive surroundings, good neighbours and a comfortable home are the best defences when the stresses of modern life seem overwhelming. 

“This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2023 from Orkney to Felixstowe, the Chew Valley to Manchester city centre. Whether you’re downsizing, trading up or getting onto the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you.” 

Wadhurst, East Sussex, was named the overall winner of Best Places to Live 2023. 

The sponsor, Halifax, has provided the average house price for each location.

Excecutive Director at Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency, Nigel Horton-Baker, said: “A city in all but name, in Reading you can live life well and carve out your career in one of the UK’s best places to work and do business, with leading businesses in sectors from security software to energy, financial services to mobile technology. And now, with 18 new film studios being built at Shinfield Studios, Reading is set to become a leading player in the UK creative sector.” 

Reading has many great qualities as it has many culturally diverse communities, as well as a huge diversity of offerings for shops, independents, local attractions and event spaces.

The town centre continues to grow with more leisure spaces opening up.

The University of Reading and the business base that Reading boasts are close to London which offers huge opportunities for jobs and investment in many industries.

A full list of 72 locations across the UK was released by The Sunday Times today (Friday, March 24).

Read the full list at www.thetimes.co.uk/best-places-to-live

What is your favourite thing about Reading? Let us know by contacting megan.oneill@newsquest.co.uk