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CROYDON is the second unhappiest place to live in the UK, according to a survey published today.

Researchers canvassed around 40,000 homeowners for their views on the happiest places to live - with Harrogate, in north Yorkshire, coming out on top.

But at the other end of the happiness scale, Croydon came off second worst, with only East London rated as a more miserable place to live.

The property website RightMove carried out the survey.

They used 12 measures of happiness, including how people felt about the safety and neighbourliness of their area and the size and condition of their property.

Nearby Bromley (9th), Stockport, and Ipswich were among other towns rated in the top 10 best places to live, while all bar one of the worst 10 places to live are in the capital.

You've already been giving us your views on the survey's findings.

Metin Enver (@metinenver) tweeted: "I've lived in the borough all of my life and like to think of myself as a reasonably happy chap."

Emma Whiten tweeted: "I moved to croydon from SE London last year and love it! The people are friendly and shopping is great, nice baby groups too."

Jonny Cope, also on Twitter, wrote: "Definitely unjust! There are many places that would be worse to live. Croydon is on the up."

But, on a more negative note, Joanna Hopper wrote on our Facebook page: "Moved from there just over a year ago and I wouldn't go back if you paid me. Not what it was sadly."

Agreeing on Facebook, Davey Pearson added: "Moved away 10 years ago to Horsham, the 7th best place to live in the country, massive difference.2

THE ADVERTISER'S 10 REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT CROYDON:

1) It's home to a football team which consistently produces some of the country's best young players.

2) Croydon is the home of dubstep and a rich underground music scene.

3) Westfield and Hammerson have just committed £1bn to transforming our shopping centres

4) We are the only place in the south of England with trams - the most eco-friendly and reliable method of transport around

5) We're home to London's only Minster-approved church

6) The Brit School, in Selhurst, has spawned talent including Adele, Leona Lewis and Amy Winehouse.

7) The architecture - sure, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but Croydon is as close as this green and pleasant land gets to New York

8) This is a place full of community spirit. Look at how we've recovered from the 2011 riots

9) The current England football manager, Roy Hodgson, hails from Croydon (ok, maybe not such a good thing...)

10) The Croydon Advertiser, of course. Serving the community since 1869, and still the number one source of local news, both in-print and online (shameless plug)



Do you agree with the survey? Why do you think Croydon is a happy place to live? Please leave your comments below, or have your say by voting in our poll.