Schools, jobs, transport links and green spaces are all important factors when choosing where to live.
But, above all, you want to find somewhere that makes you happy.
People living across Northern Ireland have been asked to rate their happiness out of 10, and the scores vary considerably.
In some areas, people rated their happiness as a relatively blissful 7.9 out of 10 on average, while in one part of the country the average score was a considerably more doleful 6.9.
Below are the happiest and least happy of Northern Ireland’s 18 parliamentary constituencies, according to the latest Wellbeing in Northern Ireland data published this year by The Executive Office, based on individual responses from people aged 16 or over received during 2024/25.
How does your neck of the woods compare with the rest of the country?
1. Belfast West
Belfast West has a happiness rating of 6.9/10, which is the lowest score in Northern Ireland | Google Photo: Google
2. Belfast North
Belfast North has a happiness rating of 7.1/10, which is the 17th highest score in Northern Ireland | Google Photo: Google
3. Foyle
Foyle has a happiness rating of 7.2/10, which is the 16th highest score in Northern Ireland | Getty Images Photo: Charles McQuillan
4. Newry and Armagh
Newry and Armagh has a happiness rating of 7.5/10, which is the joint 12th highest score in Northern Ireland | Google Photo: Google