Sheffield has been named the best city in the UK for new parents, according to research by home insurance specialists at esure. The city scored 7.76 out of 10 overall, ranking high for safety, GP availability and nursery costs.
How the rankings were calculated
The property experts examined GP availability, nursery costs, house prices, safety records and educational standards across the country's major towns and cities. The study covered factors including registering with a GP, finding affordable childcare, getting on the property ladder and selecting a local school.
A spokesperson at esure said: "Knowing where to raise a family is a big decision, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
"There's a lot to consider, and what works well for one family may not work for another, so it's important to think about what matters most to you. There are many factors that can impact decisions on where to live, including housing, access to green space, childcare, healthcare and safety.
"Looking at things like local safety and home insurance costs early on can also help families understand the wider financial picture when planning for life with children."
Top cities for new parents
Sheffield scored the second-highest for the number of GPs per 100,000 residents, with 82 available across the city. It also ranked fourth for safety with a score of 8.71 out of 10, and first for nursery fees, averaging £918.33 per child.
Stoke-on-Trent is the second-best city for new parents, with an overall score of 7.65 out of 10. With 48 GPs for a population of 332,542, the city scores 9.27 out of 10. It also scored the highest for house price-to-income ratio.
Leicester is ranked third, with an overall score of 7.60 out of 10. The city ranks 10 out of 10 for GPs, and 8.31 out of 10 for nursery prices, with average fees of £938.08 per child.
Full list of best places to live
The full ranking of the best places to live in the UK is: Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Leicester, Nottingham, Northampton, Wakefield, Liverpool, Reading, Leeds and Derby.
