Magherafelt on best places list

Magherafelt has been named as one of the Best Places to Live in Northern Ireland.

It is one of three locations in the region chosen by The Sunday Times in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

Holywood, County Down topped the poll followed by Magherafelt and Strangford Loch, also in County Down.

The comprehensive guide is released online today (Friday, March 26) and will be available in the paper on Sunday.

The Sunday Times’s expert judges behind the guide assess a wide range of factors, from schools, air quality, transport and broadband speeds to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.

They look for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit - which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.

A detailed breakdown of house prices has been supplied by data specialists TwentyCi and information on internet speeds has been supplied by Thinkbroadband.com, the UK’s leading independent guide to broadband.

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “This guide has never been so important. The pandemic has taught us just how much we rely on our homes, our communities and our surroundings. With working from home now common, it’s no surprise that many of us are reassessing our priorities and thinking hard about where we really want to live.

“Our focus for this year has been community, countryside and convenience. It hasn’t been a year for big cities or small villages. Instead it is small towns that have shone: big enough to have everything you need within walking distance and small enough for everyone to feel connected.

“Holywood seems to be unshiftable as Northern Ireland’s premier address thanks to its unbeatable combination of coast and countryside so close to the centre of Belfast.

Magherafelt was picked by the judges as a “supremely practical choice for families”, thanks to its convenient central location, rapidly improving town centre and excellent schools, especially Rainey Endowed, which has been named as the Sunday Times Northern Ireland School of the decade.

They were also impressed by the sports facilities at Meadowbank Multi-Sports Arena and Moyola Park Golf Club. Also commended was the choice of hairdressers, beauty salons and coffee shops in the centre.

In terms of properties the average sale price was listed as £135,000 and average rental £520 per calendar month.

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live in Britain covers the following regions: North and Northeast, Midlands, Northern Ireland, Southeast, Wales, Southwest, East, London, Scotland and the Northwest.

Stroud, Gloucestershire was named as the Best Place to Live in Britain.

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