DECIDING on where to live in the United Kingdom is a daunting and important task, especially for parents who want to live in the most suitable location for their children.

Thankfully, experts in the field at Alan Boswell Landlord Insurance have compiled a list of the top ten cities to live in for those who rent property and have children to care for.

Colchester has been revealed as the third best place for family-friendly living, earning a score of 6.15 out of 10 by the insurance company.

Factors which make up this scoring include, on average, the rent prices for a two-bedroom flat, quality of education, level of safety and child services available per 100,000 people.

Child services were split into four categories: schools, parks, nurseries and childminders.

With the average rent for a two-bedroom flat being £1,146, Colchester strikes a balance between quality housing and affordability whilst also providing plenty of green areas, offering 4.10 parks per 100,000 people for children to play in.

In terms of safety, Colchester demonstrates its dedication with 4.1 nurseries, 58.3 childminders and 2.5 hospitals and clinics per 100,000 residents, ensuring access to all kinds of safety and protection for parents and children alike.

The city's crime rate unfortunately lowers the city's overall score, with 15,111.7 recorded crimes per 100,000 people.

Colchester boasts 54.16 schools per 100,000 people, meanwhile, ensuring access to learning opportunities for young minds, especially with eight Ofsted ranked ‘Outstanding’ schools.

There are also 54.16 kid-friendly activities per 100,00 people in the area, resulting in an environment where children can engage in diverse experiences.

With Alan Boswell Landlord Insurance considering all of these integral aspects, Colchester achieves a commendable family-friendly score of 6.15 out of 10.

This score speaks to the city's efforts in fostering an environment where families can flourish, providing essential elements for education, recreation, safety, and well-being.

For more information visit alanboswell.com/landlord-insurance/landlord-building-insurance/