What makes people in West Berkshire so happy?

New statistics reveal West Berkshire residents are the most satisfied in the county

WHAT makes people in West Berkshire so happy?

This week we reported in the Newbury Weekly News that West Berkshire residents feel more satisfied with life, less stressed and are happier in general than residents in other areas of Berkshire.

The survey, carried out by the office of National Statistics, asked people across the country four questions:

“Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?; Overall, to what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile?; Overall, how happy did you feel yesterday?; and Overall, how anxious did you feel yesterday?”

The results put our district at the top in terms of life-satisfaction when compared with the rest of Berkshire, while we come out joint top (with Windsor and Maidenhead) in terms of overall happiness.

West Berkshire was also revealed to be one of the least stressed areas scoring the lowest in levels of anxiety.

So... we want to know what it is that makes West Berkshire residents happy, stress-free and generally satisfied with life?

Is it low levels of unemployment, comparatively low levels of crime or perhaps the fresh air and sprawling countryside at your doorstep?

It is worth noting however, that the survey took place during the last financial year (ending March 2016) and so doesn't take into account the effect of the swingeing West Berkshire Council cuts or other factors such as Brexit.

Let us know your thoughts below...