According to a study, Oxford, London and Aberystwyth are the most proud cities in the UK.
Researchers polled homeowners in 30 cities for the second year to find out where the most proud Brits are.
Each city was given points based on how they maintained their homes in the last year. This includes money spent on improvements and time spent cleaning.
Oxford was voted the most proud city for its house-building, with residents spending the highest amount on furnishings and utilizing more tradespeople than anywhere else.
But London, last year’s most house-proud city, dropped to second place.
(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images.)
Checkatrade requested the research to support its second annual. Home Pride Index reportAccording to a survey by, 35 percent of 2,399 adults polled love their homes more than they did last year.
Their affection for their dwellings is also reflected in increased home improvement spending, with an average £2,706 invested in the last 12 months.
More than a third of homeowners (34 percent) even admitted they get envious when they see other people’s homes.
One of the trends that emerged in the 2020 report was the decline of home office spaces – although this number has dropped by 26 per cent since 2021.
Instead of limiting lockdown restrictions, people prioritized areas in their homes that they were likely to entertain guests, such as their gardens and kitchens.
The rooms which got the most investment were areas of the home where guests are likely to venture – including the garden (£403.92), living room (£371.61), and bathroom (£348.66).
Mike Fairman, CEO of Checkatrade, said: “2020 put a strain on our homes, as we repurposed rooms and pushed their capabilities and robustness to their limits.
“As we returned to a more “normal’’ way of living in 2021, it’s not surprising that almost a third of us have re-evaluated the relationship we have with our homes.
“This has no doubt contributed to why we’re all so loved- up – and we’re expecting this to be reflected in continued home improvement investment in 2022.’’
(Image: Amanda Andrade Rhoades/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Although they may not have been the largest spenders, Wolverhampton residents did spend the most time tidying up their homes last week – four hours and 41 mins.
Edinburgh’s homeowners, on the other hand, set aside just 2 hours and 59 minutes per week for their home – the lowest of any area.
Those living in Aberystwyth, which came third in the study, invested more money in making their homes greener than anywhere else – £519 during the past 12 months.
More residents of the mid-Wales area consider themselves house-proud than any other cities surveyed – a total 69 percent.
Chelmsford’s residents, however, feel only 20% the same.
Half of Cardiff’s residents managed to reduce their DIY task lists in the last year. This is the highest percentage of anyone polled.
And 52 percent of Oxford locals actively follow the latest trends and developments in home décor and improvement – more than anywhere else.
OnePoll conducted the study and looked ahead to the next twelve months. The top priority improvement was getting a kitchen remodel (23%).
The bathroom remodel (23%), and the redecorating of their living room (19%) are next.
MOST HOUSE-PROUD CITIES:
- Oxford – 227 points
- London – 193 Points
- Aberystwyth – 188 points
- Glasgow – Points 172
- Newcastle – Points 157
- Leeds – 150 Points
- Brighton and Hove/Southampton: 146 points
- Worcester – 144 Points
- Manchester – 141 Points
- York – Points 139
- Wolverhampton – 131 points
- Cambridge – 130 Points
- Aberdeen – 128 points
- Cardiff – 127 Points
- Plymouth – 125 Points
- Belfast – 119 Points
- Sheffield – Points 117
- Liverpool – Scores 111
- Bristol – 107 Points
- Chelmsford – 106 points
- Birmingham – 103 Points
- Coventry 101 points
- Swansea – 94 points
- Wrexham – Get 86 points
- Leicester – 71 points
- Norwich – 69 points
- Portsmouth – Points 66
- Gloucester – 65 points
- Edinburgh – 61 Points
MONEY DRIVEN TO IMPROVEMENTS, AND MAJOR WORKS DONE TO THEIR HOUSES:
- Highest: Oxford – £6,251.35
- Lowest: Gloucester – £1,436.89
MONEY SENT ON FURNISHINGS & AESTHETICS
- Highest: Oxford – £9,349.22
- Lowest: Gloucester – £1,301.58
PROPORTION OF RESPONDENTS WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE HOUSE PROUD:
- Highest: Aberystwyth – 69 percent
- Chelmsford – 20 percent
PROPORTION OF RESPONDENTS WITH AN INTEREST IN HOME DÉCOR AND IMPROVEMENT TRENDS:
- Oxford – 52 Percent
- Lowest: Sheffield – 22 percent
TIME SPENT CLEANING/TIDYING/ORGANISING THE HOME PER WEEK:
- Highest: Wolverhampton – 4 hours 42 minutes
- Lowest: Edinburgh – 2 hours 59 min
NUMBER OF TRADESPEOPLE USED PER HOUSE ON AVERAGE:
- Oxford – 3.47
- Lowest: Gloucester 1.21
PROPORTION OF HOMES WITH FEWER UNFINISHED DIY JOBS LEFT TO DO THIS YESTER COMPARED TO THE END OF LAST YEAR
- Cardiff, 50 percent
- Gloucester – 20%
MONEY INVESTED TO MAKE HOMES MORE GREEN:
- Highest: Aberystwyth – £519
- Lowest: Portsmouth – £133