According to new research, Felixstowe has been identified as one of the top seaside towns in the UK for its quality of life.

NOW we know why people like to live beside the seaside.

According to new research, Felixstowe has been identified as one of the top seaside towns in the UK for its quality of life.

Mortgage lender Halifax reported that house prices in Felixstowe have grown 31per cent in the past three years, and the average property price is £179,817.

It was in a list of 20 seaside resorts, also including Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, noted for its quality of life.

The report said household prices in coastal towns often do not reflect those inland.

The average house price rise last month in seaside towns was at least 24pc higher than the county average.

Felixstowe mayor Joan Sennington said: “There's something here for everybody, and we love being near the seaside.

“The quality of life is good, quite different from anywhere else I think.

“There's so much going on, no one ever needs to be lonely.”

It was reported on Saturday by Halifax that Stowmarket has the best-value terraced houses in the country.

Stowmarket - where an average terraced house costs just over £133,000 - was also ranked 17th in terms of quality of life.

Diss in Norfolk had a high rating for quality of life at number 72, with an average terraced house costing about £145,000.

Frank Whittle, mayor of Stowmarket, said: “I love everything about Stowmarket. The way of life here is just so easy going. Lots of people are moving here from London, they want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.”

According to the Bank of Scotland in its seaside town review, Aldeburgh is the UK town which had the eight fastest house price growth between 2000 and 2007.

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