OXFORD is often said to be one of the most expensive places to live in the UK.

But that doesn’t mean those who battle with roadworks, traffic and the cost of living are grumpy.

A survey recently carried out declared the city as “one of the least happy and most expensive places to live in the UK”.

The research was conducted by the Hamptons International estate agents using the government’s Life Satisfaction Index and data reflecting the average income and cost of housing.

Overall, places close to areas of outstanding natural beauty came top; however Oxford’s average house price of £426,000 meant that it missed out.

Chrissy Jackson, an IT consultant from Abingdon, disagreed with the study and said that Oxford is such a happy place she even held her hen night in the city centre at the weekend.

Miss Jackson, who is soon to marry Richard Stevens, said: “My friends and family came from Switzerland, Cheltenham and all over the country and they all loved it because it’s such a happy, vibrant place, with lots of things going on.

“It might be expensive, but it’s certainly not unhappy.”

Students Mariam Jachuadze and Tamta Giorgadze, who came over to join Headington Summer School, also disagreed.

Miss Jachuadze said: “Oxford is a wonderful city, I love it so much here. You could look at the buildings all day and it is steeped in history.”

Oxford featured in the bottom ten of the least happy and most expensive places in the UK along with parts of London – Haringey, Lewisham, Enfield – and Guildford and Brentwood.

The Cumbrian districts of Copeland and Allderdale were ranked first and third in the list are the least densely populated districts in the country.

Martin Walker, the head of marketing and development of Experience Oxfordshire also disagreed with the study.

He said: “Oxford is one of the most wonderful places to live in the UK.

“There is wealth of cultural opportunities available across the city, which makes it a very happy place to live.

“The city is abundant in various festivals, beautiful houses, incredible universities and people, so this information seems strange.

“I’m not sure 26.5 million people would be visiting us every year if it was genuinely an unhappy place to live.”

Councillor for Wolvercote and Summertown, Jean Fooks added: “When it comes to housing prices, yes Oxford is at a slight disadvantage.”

Ms Fooks continued to state that she “could not believe” people were unhappy living in Oxford.

She said: “I’m completely shocked that people could be unhappy living here because most of the people that I speak to absolutely love it.”

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