A Co Antrim town has been crowned as the Best Place to Live in Northern Ireland, according to The Sunday Times annual list.
Seaside destination Ballycastle took this year's regional top spot with judges describing it as a 'blissful base for families'.
The comprehensive guide, which includes 70 locations across the UK, is released online today and an edited version will be available in the paper on Sunday.
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Derry was listed as second in the regional list followed by Helen's Bay in Co Down.
Crowning Ballycastle as their winner, judges said: "This unspoilt fishing village is a real coastal town rather than a tourist honeypot, with a strong independent streak and a welcoming atmosphere.
"There’s a vibrant food scene, with everything from old-fashioned fish and chips at Morton’s by the harbour to tasty sourdough at Ursa Minor bakery.
"The mile-long beach and beautiful surroundings make it a blissful base for families. "
The average cost of a house in Ballycastle according to Halifax is £169,000, a growth of 11% since 2020.
Taking the silver medal in the list, judges described Londonderry as a 'much-improved city'.
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They said: "Reaping the rewards of years of investment and with a fine cultural reputation, this much-improved city stands out as somewhere cool, credible and cheap, with a bright future."
The average cost of a property in Londonderry is listed as £161,000.
Popular with sun-seekers in the summer and cold water dippers all year round, Helen's Bay was named as the third Best Place to Live in Northern Ireland in this year's list.
Judges hailed it's 'natural beauty and outdoorsy vibe' saying it has 'made this corner of the Gold Coast a magnet for families who flock to its dog-friendly beaches and convenient trains to Belfast'.
The average house price in Helen's Bay will set you back a cool £253,000.
Ilkley, in West Yorkshire, was named the overall Best Place to Live in the UK.
Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list is necessarily subjective. Leave it just to statistics and you will never capture the spirit of a place. For that, you need to visit to take into account that ‘you have to be here’ feeling. Is the pub dog-friendly, for example? Can you live car-free? What are the schools and houses like? Is it multicultural and multigenerational, and can it offer a good way of life to lots of different sorts of people?
“Ten years ago, when we launched the inaugural list, London’s gravitational pull was strong, the WFH revolution had not yet reached our doorstep and high streets were stacked with chains. How times have changed — and how welcome that change is.
“This year we have discovered new best places to live, from resurgent city centres in the North, rejuvenated suburbs across the country, hidden villages in the Southwest, and a commutable Scottish island.
“We hope there is something to suit everyone.”
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