Rest Less, a renowned organisation focusing on lifestyle and employment opportunities for the over-50s, has named Aberdeen the 7th friendliest city in their prestigious annual ranking.

Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city – but thanks to its upbeat atmosphere and a low crime rate, it’s also repeatedly voted as the safest Scottish city. It wins this recognition year after year and also features regularly on lists of the friendliest places to live in the UK.

While being safe doesn’t necessarily equate to being friendly, Aberdeen definitely has the goods to back up its reputation. According to research by Home Views, which polled 28,000 people, Aberdeen was voted the third best place to live in the UK. Its proximity to the sea, grand architecture (it’s not called The Granite City for nothing!), and energy were all cited as reasons – but the locals were too.

Aberdeen residents were viewed as welcoming, friendly, polite, and helpful, and their positive attitude towards outsiders makes their hospitality one of the highest in the country. Not only do locals here have access to a mile-long beach, but they also have a historic town to explore, an excellent food and drink scene, and in the surrounding countryside, the chance to find serenity and solitude.

The Top 10 List

1. York, England
2. Glasgow, Scotland
3. Liverpool, England
4. Cardiff, Wales
5. Belfast, Northern Ireland
6. Manchester, England
7. Aberdeen, Scotland
8. Leeds, England
9. Oxford, England
10. Derry, Northern Ireland

KeyFacts Energy news: Aberdeen Focus