Hundreds of proud Cestrians have expressed their delight at news that Chester has been declared the top place to live in the UK.
The city came out top in this year’s Hot Housing Index, in a survey drawn up by location specialists CACI, beating Beverley in East Yorkshire and Crewe to the number one position.
And although the survey, which was judged on factors including local available amenities, internet connectivity and school provision has sparked a mixed reaction from Cestrians, the majority of people have taken to social media to heap praise on the city as a whole.
The Chronicle Facebook page was flooded with comments paying tribute to Chester as a whole, with one person writing: “Woohoo, I am so made up! I’m so passionate about my hometown, people diss it all the time but they don’t have a clue. Chester has so much history and great people here. Everybody has played their part! Well done everybody.”
Related : Chester fifth happiest place to live in UK
Another wrote: “I’ve lived in a lot of places, living here gives one the best of everything. Canals, countryside, history, fine dining, the best ice-cream, mega zoo, beautiful art, theatre, shopping, schools, the best nursery in the UK and a river that gave my nickname - what more could one want?”
Others praised Chester’s accessibility to other places in the country, and its proximity to the Welsh countryside, as well as its independent shops and businesses.
However, there was some negative feedback, with some feeling that Chester’s shopping, entertainment and nightlife ‘let it down’. One person wrote on Facebook: “When people come to Chester they see the pretty Victorian mock Tudor and fall for it and why not? It’s the place I was born and bred. But it has plenty of problems which too many folk try to ignore. To my mind it hasn’t enough theatre, cinema, although it’s hoped the revamped Odeon will rectify this.
“It’s awash with students though and as it becomes more interested in status, I wonder how our born and bred youngsters will find a home here. I’m overjoyed to hear a Chester accent. But even that I fear will disappear soon.”
Another person said: “Is this named the top place to live by people who live in, erm, Chester?”
