Southend ranked 14th in The Times’ list, praised for affordability and commuter links, sparking mixed reactions from locals
Southend Ranked 14th in The Times List
Southend has been ranked 14th in a list by The Times, with Leeds City Centre taking the top position.
The city received praise for its commutability and affordability. It is described as “ideal for anyone who wants to keep one foot in the City and another on the property ladder.”
The Times created this list by prioritizing housing prices. Southend is often recognized as a good place for first-time buyers.
Reader Reactions to the Ranking
Readers of the Echo agreed with The Times’ ranking of Southend. Some comments included:
| Reader | Comment |
|---|---|
| Tracie Breakey | “Great place to live great schools, two train lines, beach and its own airport and very easy to get to London then back to the coast so great commute too.” |
| Nick Newman | “Born and bred Southend I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!” |
| Julie Barns | “Something for everyone beach, parks, open spaces, great food places good connections to London.” |
| Stephen Martin | “Brilliant city (albeit it will always be a town to me!)” |
However, some readers were not convinced:
| Reader | Comment |
|---|---|
| Wendy Byford | “Is this satire?” |
| Raymond Rawlings | “It’s not 1st April yet.” |
| Luke Osborn | “14th? Way too high up.” |
Positive Recognition for Southend
The overall response has been mixed. However, Southend is receiving a lot of positive recognition.
Matt Dent, a Southend Labour councillor for business, culture, music, and tourism, said: “I moved to Southend in my 20’s and it’s a fantastic place to live.”
He added, “It gets a lot of stick but ultimately this is a city with a lot to offer, from the seaside to historic cultural heritage sites, as well as the ready access it offers commuters which The Times highlighted.”
“I really do feel Southend has everything you need in one place and it’s wonderful to see that recognised in such a fantastic way in a national newspaper.”
