Redbridge has been recognised as one of the top places to live in the UK, thanks to its outstanding schools, green spaces, and strong community spirit.
Redbridge has officially been named one of the best places to live in the UK in 2025, featuring prominently in an annual ranking compiled by The Sunday Times. The borough secured its spot as east London’s second highest-ranked local authority, following Tower Hamlets.
Since 2013, The Sunday Times has published an annual list of the best places to live in the UK. Traditionally, this ranking has been determined by expert judges, but this year, the assessment was based purely on data. The Times evaluated all local authorities in England across nine key categories: education, healthcare, crime rates, and more. Each category was given equal weight, with local authorities ranked numerically from 1 to 291—the lower the score, the better the ranking.

“With our outstanding parks, schools, and strong community spirit, it’s little wonder Redbridge is officially one of the best places to live.” –Kam Rai, Councillor
Redbridge performed particularly well in the education category, which played a significant role in its high placement. The borough achieved a score of 22 for school quality, based on the percentage of Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ schools. It also scored 15 in the ‘Progress 8’ category, a measure of student attainment and progress in secondary schools.
Green spaces also contributed to Redbridge’s strong performance. The borough was given a score of 86 in the ‘Parks’ category, which assessed the number of Green Flag parks per 10,000 residents. Additionally, Redbridge ranked 135 in the crime category, demonstrating a relatively safer environment compared to some of its neighbouring boroughs.

Redbridge Council Leader Kam Rai, expressed pride in the borough’s achievement and highlighted the efforts made to enhance the local community. “With our outstanding Green Flag parks and green spaces, vibrant communities, bustling high streets, exceptional schools, and brilliant transport links, it’s little wonder that Redbridge has been officially recognised as one of the best places in the UK to live,” he said.
He also pointed to the borough’s strong financial management despite economic challenges. “Despite having to put up with 14 years of government austerity, we are a borough that continually punches above its weight by providing good value for money services. An independent report recently found that Redbridge ranks second in the country for delivering value for money to residents.”
The councillor also praised the borough’s volunteers for their contributions. “Much of our success is down to the hundreds of volunteers who dedicate their time to making our borough a better place. Whether it’s a community litter pick, tree planting day, or a play streets scheme for children, they all play a huge role in improving their neighbourhoods.”
While recognising this achievement, Cllr Rai acknowledged that challenges remain. “We, as a council, strive to provide the best services, but our financial situation means we can only do so much. However, by sharing responsibility and supporting each other in our communities, we can all work together to keep Redbridge a fantastic place to live.”
The recognition reaffirms Redbridge’s reputation as a thriving borough that balances urban convenience with quality of life, making it a sought-after destination for families and professionals alike.
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