St Albans – named as one of the UK’s 20 happiest places to live.

St Albans has been named as one of the 20 ‘Happiest Places to Live in the UK, according to a survey organised by property portal, Rightmove. More than 21,000 people responded to this year’s survey which included ten measures contributing to the overall level of happiness we feel in our home and community. The measures ranged from how happy people are living in an area, the nature and green spaces on offer and the community spirit to how happy they are with local activities and amenities – including art and culture. The scores were averaged to provide a category score and an overall score, which became this year’s ‘Happy At Home’ Index.

St Albans frequently tops popularity polls – It was one of the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live in 2020 and Muddy Stiletto’s Top Places to Live in Hertfordshire in 2020. This is hardly surprising. Not only is St Alban’s one of the country’s most beautiful and historic cathedral cities, it’s also home to the award-winning 100-acre Verulamium Park and a wonderful variety of independent shops, restaurants, café bars and traditional pubs. The city is also known for its markets. The Charter Market, dates back to the 9^th century and offers street food, fresh produce and local crafts. There’s a monthly farmers’ market and the very popular Vintage and Antiques Market also held once a month. Fast rail services make it possible to reach London’s St Pancras station in just over 20 minutes.

Beechcroft’s Maryland Place in St Albans has certainly proved popular with mature homebuyers – particularly over the last few months when an increasing number of independent over 55s are beginning to realise the benefits of owning an elegant, spacious house or apartment on a beautifully-maintained retirement development.  

Located on Townsend Drive, within easy reach of the city centre, Maryland Place comprises a collection of 35 newly built homes, set within beautifully landscaped fully maintained communal grounds. Each energy-efficient, easily-maintained new home has been designed according to Beechcroft’s principle of creating homes with generously proportioned living space but with fewer bedrooms than one would expect in a mainstream property of a similar size. The fixtures and fittings are of the highest quality and the majority of homes provide a private terrace, balcony, garden – or a combination of these. Private gardens, as well as the landscaped settings, are maintained by the on-site Estate Manager.

Mrs Sue Brooks who moved from Wanstead to Beechcroft’s Maryland Place in St Albans, is pleased to have settled in this attractive city, describing St Albans as “…a lovely place to live with really nice shops.”  Derek and Iris Connelly are equally happy with their new Beechcroft home and it hasn’t taken the couple long to integrate into the friendly, local community. Mr Connelly joined the bowls club, just 500 yards from Maryland Place, and the couple are able to enjoy the facilities including a bar where they can relax with a glass of wine overlooking the bowling green.

Designed for the over 55s and set in beautifully landscaped, fully maintained grounds, Maryland Place has been so successful that Beechcroft is now offering the final apartment for sale. Located on the second floor with lift access, this is a spacious, light-filled, three-bedroom apartment with a private balcony. At the heart of the apartment is a dining/hall, ideal for use as a formal dining room, reception area or reading room. The stylish kitchen features a full range of high-quality integrated appliances and the impressive drawing room opens onto a private balcony. The master bedroom has fitted wardrobes and an en-suite. There’s a second bedroom, also with fitted wardrobes and a third bedroom that could be used as a study.

Priced at £775,000, this three-bedroom apartment is energy-efficient and easy to maintain. Life at Maryland Place is relaxed with an on-site  Estate Manager to handle the maintenance of the development, organise the upkeep of the landscaped grounds and to keep an eye on properties whilst owners are away.