Watford and Three Rivers locations have enjoyed strong performances in ‘best places to live’ lists recently, so why are they so in-demand?

In the last year, Watford has been crowned the best place to live and work out of the UK’s 100 biggest settlements in the UK Vitality Index and made the top 15 for the UK overall in a Garrington Property Finders study.

The Vitality Index report said: “Having only debuted in the top 10 in 2022, Watford’s steady climb reflects a transformation in its relative standing among the UK’s largest centres.

Watford Observer: Watford town centre.Watford town centre. (Image: Rabindranath Martins/Watford Observer Camera Club)“Watford’s winning overall position is driven by its top ranked performance in the economy & business pillar, which includes top scores in four of the pillar’s seven metrics.”

Watford Borough Council has said it is “proud” to see the area recognised as one of the best in the UK.

Council chief executive Donna Nolan highlighted investments in improving the town, environmental and transport initiatives, and the local economy as areas of real progress.

“We strive to support our communities and continuing to move forward with opportunities which will make a lasting difference to the people and businesses of Watford,” she added.

Watford Observer: Chorleywood Common.Chorleywood Common. (Image: Tracey Phillipps/Watford Observer Camera Club)In the same period in Three Rivers, Chorleywood made the Sunday Times’ best places to live guide and Rickmansworth made a Muddy Stilettos guide. Both were also featured among The Telegraph’s 50 most desirable places to live in England.

If Watford has undergone a transformation, Chorleywood was seen as taking the opposite role with more of a throw-back feel.

Explaining why it singled out Chorleywood in its guide last week (March 15), The Sunday Times said: “Chorleywood is a reminder of the virtues of a traditional historic commuter town.”

Watford Observer: Rickmansworth High Street.Rickmansworth High Street. (Image: Deborah Chambre Young/Watford Observer Camera Club)

It added: “The grand open space of the Common - perfect for golf, dog walks and picturesque village cricket - ensures that downtime isn’t a let-down.”

Three Rivers District Council labelled the Sunday Times feature “fantastic”.

In some ways, Rickmansworth has drawn praise for delivering the best of both worlds - including the transport links that boost the whole area's attractiveness for London-leavers.

Muddy Stilettos said: “A riverside town with plenty to please the whole family that’s also on the tube – could Rickmansworth be too good to be true?”

Three Rivers chief executive Joanne Wagstaffe suggested south-west Hertfordshire “has a bit of everything”, adding: “Three Rivers is truly a great place to live, work and visit – and one we are all proud of”.