“I love the sense of adventure here”
St Ives has been voted the happiest place to live in the UK, by the Happy at Home Index 2020 by UK-based real estate portal, Rightmove. Laura Evans, 33, who works in digital marketing (as well as being a part-time professional mermaid) explains why…
“Growing up, I was desperate to move to a big city. I went to London, but it chewed me up and spat me out. I came back here to convalesce with my family and found myself falling in love with St Ives. It was summer and I started swimming in the sea. I saw tourists flocking to the town and it was a reminder that people come here because it is so beautiful and there is so much to do. It made me realise I am very lucky.
We have stunning landscapes, walks, a sense of community, and a great art scene. There is something for everyone. Life here isn’t day-in day-out joy, but it is hard not to be happy in such a gorgeous place. I swim throughout the year. It makes you feel like you have achieved something every day. You don’t have to live by the sea—a few laps in the local pool have the same effect.
I occasionally
