You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting the FCA website. Where Berkshire has by far the highest income in our top 10, it also has the highest living expenses, with the average weekly food bill coming to £63.20 per household, dual fuel at £1,224.20, and insurance premiums also comparatively high at £556.40 for a car and £260 for your home insurance. High art might be a staple the Berkshires, but that hasn’t clouded residents love for their natural world. Some of the best places to live in within Berkshire County are such due to their pristine outdoor activities, small town feel and of course, excellent neighborhoods. Berkshire County is ideally located, just 2 ½ hours from both Boston and New York City. The best place to live in the state of Massachusetts is Hopkinton, which is a suburb of Boston. Below you can find ways to save on everything from car insurance to mobile bills. Live in Berkshire or thinking of moving to Berkshire? Everywhere I go, people tell me how lucky I am to live here. While many people might have expected the South East of England to feature fairly heavily in the top 10 best places to live in the UK due to the perception that the area around London has more jobs, higher incomes, better services and wealthier households, in actual fact only Berkshire made the top 10 from this area, coming in at 6th. Uswitch Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. Explore guest reviews and book the perfect place to stay for your trip. We have reviews of the best places to see in Berkshires. Country Life has identified the best places to live in Berkshire within easy reach of London for commuters. Life expectancy is an influential factor that insurance companies use to determine life insurance premiums. Frequency of trains: 1 per hour (peak). And I agree. Lenox Tucked in a scenic corner of the lush Southern Berkshires, the charming hamlet of Lenox is perhaps best known for being the former residence of literary legend Edith Wharton. Best towns and villages to discover in the Berkshires, Massachusetts. It’s one of the best suburbs to raise a family. For more about the study's methodology, read the full press release . Top Berkshires Bodies of Water: See reviews and photos of bodies of water in Berkshires, Massachusetts on Tripadvisor. We'll show you the best of each little town, each having it's own unique appeal. Pros. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. Browse where to stay in the Berkshires by category - hotels, inns and B&B's, resorts, vacation rentals, cabins and campgrounds, and motels. You can check our advice guide on how to get a cheaper life insurance policy. Here is what to do in the Berkshires … Top Things to Do in Berkshires, Massachusetts: See Tripadvisor's 20,020 traveller reviews and photos of Berkshires tourist attractions. Acclaimed as the "crown jewel" of Berkshire County, Williamstown is a thriving small town that was ranked as one of the top 100 Best Small towns in America. Commute: Thatcham (London Paddington, 54 minutes). Here are some of the reasons why Berkshire scores highly on the 2015 comparisons: Employment rates in Berkshire are among the highest in the UK, with 77% of the people who live here in work. Check out the wide array of places to sit outside and enjoy the Berkshires scenery with our list of the top 10 places with outdoor dining. Download your free copy of our Vacation Guide to the Berkshires for a full list of the best recommendations on local attractions, restaurants, museums, and more! Paddington is from an hour and three minutes away, and an annual Berkshire residents have the highest incomes in our top 10 best places to live, at £616.58 per week. Another town at the southern end of the area, that is really lovely, is Great Barrington. Places with the Best Public Schools in Massachusetts. Berkshire does include some notoriously expensive and wealthy areas like Ascot and Windsor, however, and prices in these places do affect the mean average. The study also factored in lifestyle issues like hours of sunshine, working hours and life expectancy to ensure a full picture of the quality of life in each NUTS3 region. Small city - Extreme western Massachusetts in the Berkshires, 7 miles east of the New York border. Crime & Safety. While there are a lot of superb things to see and do in Lenox, we generally urge our visitors to go past the fringes of our notable town and investigate everything the Berkshires brings to the table! Where else can you see year-round, world-class art and theater and not have to battle crowds or traffic? U.S. News & World Report ranks the best hotels in The Berkshires based on an analysis of industry awards, hotel star ratings and user ratings. This town is the hidden gem of the popular Berkshires. For upscale living in the countryside, Richmond is a formal environment that is very attractive to residents. Of course, with Berkshire including major commuter towns like Bracknell, it is likely that a lot of the residents included in these statistics actually work in London rather than Berkshire itself. ... We also suggest you check out the live Mexican guitar on weekends and Mexican holidays. Employment rates in Berkshire are among the highest in the UK, with 77% of the people who live here in work.Of course, with Berkshire including major commuter towns like Bracknell, it is likely that a lot of the residents included in these statistics actually work in London rather than Berkshire itself.45% of people work between 35-45 hours a week – considered normal full time hours, but a fairly high number work more than this – 28% of people are doing more than 45 hours a week. That's why it's more important than ever for households to assess their budgets, and Uswitch.com offers a great way to start. NG. Find and book deals on the best places to stay in The Berkshires, United States of America! 5 Towns in the Berkshires You Must Visit. They also have a lot of disposable income per household at an average of £20,373. Whether you love to shop for antiques, browse art galleries, or patronize the arts, you can find it in a town in the Berkshires. 03612689) The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London, SE1 2LH. Best of New England Fall Travel: Best Places to See Foliage in New England, Best Fall Drives in New England, Things To Do In Maine, Things To Do in the Berkshires, Things To Do in Vermont, and More! You may already have an idea of what the Berkshires are like even if you have never visited. Build your perfect Western Massachusetts vacation starting here. Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock is a great place to pick your own pumpkins or cut your Christmas Tree, and the Hancock Shaker Village is an idyllic spot where demonstrations on blacksmithing, woodworking and other trades are available. Source: @thesouthfieldstore Chesterwood Museum. It’s filled with public areas for hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. When people think of the Berkshires as a cultural region, what comes to mind are its town and cities—especially Stockbridge, Pittsfield, North Adams, Williamstown, Great Barrington, Lee, and Lenox. Don't choose Pittsfield.I agree with Lenox, Stockbridge, Williamstown is great (but the farthest north of all these towns). The Uswitch.com study assessed 138 local areas (NUTS3 regions) for 26 factors such as salaries, disposable household income, and the cost of essential goods including food bills, fuel costs and energy bills. That place is the Berkshires, a hilly corner of western Massachusetts where the focus is on living well via active pursuits, cultural immersion and culinary indulgence. At Uswitch, we know that there is more to life than rankings, stats and figures, and our Qualify of Life Index merely highlights the vast differences in the experiences of people across the UK. Discover the best places to explore near The Berkshires with curated recommendations from our team of travel experts. The area is rich in culture and hosts a number of special events and activities throughout the year. Most Diverse Places to Live in Massachusetts. Find out the worst places to live with articles written by those who live there. Egremont is ideal for those who want room to play. Relatively good schools and prime location for local GE workers, Pittsfield is one of many excellent neighborhoods in Berkshire County. Average rent is also high at £80.39, though this is not bad when proximity to London is taken into account. Take a look at our dedicated guide to learn more. The Berkshires is a region with endless potential, rich in nature and brimming with culture. The Richmond area is ideal for estate living. The population is 16,720 residents. When it comes to quality of life, there is a huge amount of variation throughout the UK. See how your broadband speeds stack up against your neighbours by trying out our broadband speed test. Best Apple Recipes: Easy Desserts with Apples, Best Apples for Apple Pie, Our Favorite Apple Turnover Recipe, and More! The region is home to more plastics firms than any other county in the nation and as such has a very high ability to employ local residents. We compare all suppliers and tariffs without bias and keep your personal details safe, but don't just take our word for it. Located in the Southern Berkshires, Great Barrington is the ideal place to live for those who want to feel like they are set away from it all but still close to great food and fun activities. Little league parades, Lenox Apple Squeeze, The Berkshires are a rural, small town area for the most part. This long strip of land that lies along western Massachusetts features a quiet, comfortable lifestyle just outside the hustle and bustle of many major cities. © 2000-2020 Uswitch Limited. Located in the Southern Berkshires, Great Barrington is the ideal place to live for those who want to feel like they are set away from it all but still close to great food and fun activities. Thank Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). 26. As you might expect being the closest to London in our top 10, Berkshire is well equipped for modern life, with mobile phone signal available in 98% of the area, and fairly good average broadband speeds of 26.6Mbps. Small city - Extreme western Massachusetts in the Berkshires, 7 miles east of the New York border. House prices in Berkshire are high, with the average home costing £282,908.33. Drive to station: about 13 minutes. Annual season ticket: £4,228. Prices in the area are reasonable and the old farm houses are typically much larger than one you may be able to get closer to the city. Things to Do in Berkshires, Massachusetts: See Tripadvisor's 20,127 traveller reviews and photos of Berkshires tourist attractions. And it doesn’t hurt that the Berkshires features some of the Northeast’s most beautiful landscapes. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. A retreat to the mountains and far away from city life is the perfect way to spend a weekend in the fall, and the ideal place to do so is the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. The Berkshires are beautiful. In order to establish which the best places to live in the UK in 2015 are, Uswitch's Best Places to Live in The UK Quality of Life Index has compared data across a range of factors for each of the UK's NUTS 1 statistical regions and ranked them. Where: 3 Williamsville Rd, Stockbridge, MA 01262 Why: The former summer estate of sculptor Daniel Chester French is home to the prototype for the renowned national monument.Come here to see – and snap photos of the “original” Lincoln memorial. Come explore the Berkshires and discover a sophisticated world where small town warmth and hospitality have made the Berkshires a favorite destination for year after year. Uswitch Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 312850. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. 190 of 410. Residents attending Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the University of Massachusetts Amherst flock to the Richmond area to live, work and play. Best Places to Live in Berkshire (zip 01224), Massachusetts. Here are our suggestions for best places to dine al fresco! July, August and June are the most pleasant months in Berkshire County, while January and February are the least comfortable months. See All West Stockbridge Rankings. It’s a … When factors affecting standard of living like average income, house prices and rental costs, household living expenses and even life expectancy are taken into account, there is a lot of difference between different cities and regions. Berkshire is one of the best places to live in the UK, especially for working age people who want somewhere with good job prospects and high earning potential. Skip to main content. The commute: Kintbury has its own train station. Pittsfield schools spend nearly 50% more per student than the national average and unemployment rates are lower than national averages making this a prime place for families to live. Top Places to Visit in Berkshires, Massachusetts: See Tripadvisor's 19,993 traveller reviews and photos of Berkshires attractions. Here’s our pick of the county’s best commuter secrets. In the North Wessex Downs, six miles west of Newbury. The Berkshires attract residents from all walks of life in search of comfortable living and a little piece of outdoor heaven. 45% of people work between 35-45 hours a week – considered normal full time hours, but a fairly high number work more than this – 28% of people are doing more than 45 hours a week. Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire, Bath & North East Somerset; North Somerset & South Gloucestershire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire; Helensburgh & Lomond, Lochaber, Skye & Lochalsh, Arran & Cumbrae, Argyll & Bute, Iverness & Nairn & Moray; Badenoch & Strathspey, East Ayrshire & North Aryshire (Mainland). Great Barrington is home to the Catamount Ski Area which boasts trails and park areas that cover more than 100 acres, an attractive addition for young athletes and the young at heart. Small town charm, farm lands and a rural quaintness make Egremont an ideal place to live if you really want to get away from city life. Top Places to Visit in Berkshires, Massachusetts: See Tripadvisor's 20,021 traveller reviews and photos of Berkshires attractions. Even though, the insurance premiums are high, there are certain steps you can take to find the best car insurance deals for you. This is of course balanced out by the high earnings and employment. Bucklebury. August, July and June are the most pleasant months in the 01224 zip code, while January and February are the least comfortable months. Home to the prestigious Williams College campus, Williamstown attracts college students and upper classmen who come to live and attend school at US News and Reports' #1 Liberal Arts College in America. With scores of wonderful villages and towns to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start your home search in Berkshire. Great Barrington is the Southern Berkshires’ “big” city, but it’s only big in comparison to the many villages that surround it. 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