CARDIFF ANNOUNCED AS ONE OF UK’S FRIENDLIEST CITIES, AS NEW RESEARCH REVEALS LINK BETWEEN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND MENTAL WELLBEING

• Cardiff ranked in the top five UK friendliest cities, with 65 percent of residents saying they were friends with their neighbours. Surprisingly, Londoners topped the poll (73 percent).
• 97 percent of Cardiff residents believe good neighbours positively impact their mental health and well-being.
• Despite admitting the importance of community, more than half (54 percent) of the nation don’t know the full names of their neighbours.

 

A new nationwide poll has revealed that Cardiff is one of the UK’s friendliest cities, with 65 percent of residents saying they’re friends with their neighbours.

 

Surprisingly, London topped the poll with 73 percent, followed by those from Edinburgh (70 percent), Stoke-on-Trent (68 percent) and Plymouth (65 percent).

 

While Liverpool (51 percent), Oxford (52 percent) and Nottingham (55 percent) were revealed to be the cities who were least likely to be friendly with their neighbours.

 

The research, commissioned by Bluestone National Park Resort, also revealed how important neighbourly relationships are for Cardiff residents’ wellbeing, with 97 percent feeling that having good neighbours and a community around you is good for your mental health.

 

More than one in five (23 percent) insisted they couldn’t live without their neighbours and 66 percent said having good neighbours gave them a sense of belonging.

 

In fact, 62 percent feel that strong neighbourly relationships are key to happy communities.

 

The luxury family-friendly holiday destination, located in the heart of the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, is shining a light on the impact good neighbourhoods and strong communities can have on people’s happiness and wellbeing as part of its “Welcome to our Neighbourhood” campaign.

 

Claire Lewis, Head of Guest Experience at Bluestone, said: “Creating a sense of community at our resort is a huge part of our offering to guests. We want to provide not just luxury accommodation, but a space for families and friends to create unforgettable memories together. From kayaking across our lake, exploring the beautiful natural surroundings of Pembrokeshire’s beaches, coast path and harbours, to recharging in the resort’s award-winning Well Spa, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”

 

The research also revealed that across the nation, men (51 percent) rely on their community for confidence, more than women (44 percent). While over 60s are most likely (86 percent) to say hello to their neighbours with Gen Z the least likely (47 percent).

 

Despite the nation admitting the importance of community, four in ten (46 percent) don’t know the full names of their neighbours, and more than one in ten (13 percent) have no idea what the people who live next door to them are called.

 

One in twenty (four percent) admit they completely ignore their neighbours when they walk past each other, with a third (36 percent) insisting they’re GLAD their neighbour doesn’t speak to them, as they don’t want them to stop and chat.

 

And for the fifth of Brits (19 percent) who haven’t spoken to their neighbours recently, it’s been over FOUR MONTHS since they uttered a word to each other. Yet almost one in twenty Britons (four percent) say they’ve NEVER spoken to their neighbours.

 

The research also reveals how problematic neighbours can be, with over two thirds (69 percent) insisting that having difficult neighbours can make their life hell. So much so that over a quarter of Brits (27 percent) have decided to move homes or leave a neighbourhood because the people living next door were so hard to get along with.

 

And on average, difficult neighbours have played a part in a decision to move four times.

 

When it comes to what makes someone a good neighbour, the most important qualities were being trustworthy (71 percent), quiet (57 percent) and kind (53 percent).

 

THE CITIES MOST LIKELY TO BE FRIENDS WITH THEIR NEIGHBOURS

 

1. London                                                          73%
2. Edinburgh                                                     70%
3. Stoke-on-Trent                                             68%
4. Plymouth                                                       65%
5. Cardiff                                                            65%
6. Birmingham                                                  64%
7. Leicester                                                        64%
8. Leeds                                                              63%
9. Manchester                                                  62%
10. Sheffield                                                        61%
11. Brighton                                                        61%
12. Norwich                                                         59%

=     Cambridge                                                     59%

1. Glasglow                                                        58%
2. Bristol                                                            58%
3. Newcastle upon Tyne                                 56%
4. Belfast                                                            56%
5. Nottingham                                                  55%
6. Oxford                                                           52%
7. Liverpool                                                       51%