Every year, Rightmove asks thousands of people across Great Britain about their feelings toward where they live, covering factors such as community pride, safety, and overall satisfaction.
This year’s study was completed by over 35,000 residents, providing a broad and representative picture of local happiness levels across the country.
Of the 32 London boroughs and the City of London included in the survey, Bromley ranked sixth, making it the highest-ranked borough in south east London and the fourth across all of south London.
Bromley residents may be happy for several reasons, from its abundance of green space to its strong transport links and community feel.
Bromley is home to some of south east London’s most spacious parks, including High Elms Country Park, Norman Park, and Crystal Palace Park, offering residents plenty of space to walk, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.
The borough’s suburban layout means many homes come with gardens, driveways, and more breathing room.
Families are also drawn to the area for its schools, with well-regarded options such as Newstead Wood and St Olave’s Grammar School consistently praised by Ofsted.
The borough also has a reputation for its safety, with the Bromley crime rate, which stands at 77.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, is significantly lower than the London average of 104 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Despite its peaceful feel, Bromley is far from isolated.
Regular National Rail services connect the borough to central London in under 30 minutes, making it a popular base for commuters who want easy access to the city without sacrificing space and greenery.
The town centre also offers a lively high street, The Glades shopping centre, and venues like the Churchill Theatre, alongside independent cafés, pubs, and family-owned businesses that give the area a village-like charm.
With its mix of nature, connectivity, and community, it’s little surprise Bromley was ranked the happiest place to live in south east London.
Bexley was named as the unhappiest south east London borough, while Croydon was named as the unhappiest borough in south London as a whole.
