Yes, I am very happy where I live because I live in the Royal Borough of Berkshire, which is a very leafy county in England. It is called the 'Royal Borough' because Windsor Castle (where the Queen stays sometimes) is within it and anywhere the royal family stays has 'royal' as a prefix. Administratively, Berkshire no longer exists, having been broken up into different areas, but geographically it's as proudly placed as ever.
Berkshire was also one of the Home Counties (which border or surround London). The others are Essex (to the East of us), Kent (South East), Middlesex (North East), Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire (North) and Surrey (South).
It is a lovely and heartwarming area to live for three main reasons.
1. It s very leafy, quiet and full of lush greenery. However, being a royal borough, it attracts affluent people, especially to its famous restaurants, and who commute daily to London. I am a country person at heart. I love the outdoors, green fields and rivers, especially in the sunshine, so I spend a lot of time outside in the summer. I prefer to visit the city for leisure and live in the country so I am very happy in this area. Right now, even though my flat is near a main road, one can hardly hear the traffic. It is so serene and peaceful, which is essential for a writer.
2. It has fantastic transport facilities. Where I live, there are two motorways on either side which go to London and two great train services where the trains leave every 15 minutes or so, because tons of people live in Berskshire and work in London. Of course, having such a good transport system also attracts even more professionals each year which makes the house prices very expensive.
3.The River Thames runs through Berkshire and I love walking by the river in the summer. It is so magical, especially hand in hand with a date or someone you love. It is incredibly romantic and healthy. I used to live in Buckinghamshire, the adjoining county, which has the river as well, and that was equally beautiful. But Berkshire has grown on me over the years.
In fact, I see myself spending the rest of my life in this area because I seem to have an affinity with it, as if I am 'home'. There is nowhere else I wish to be. I have felt like that from the first day I came to the area in 1983, when my ex was in the Royal Air Force and we were posted here. It's as if this is where I belong and it has felt extremely comfortable and enjoyable to be here. It is always pleasant and affirming when one feels good about one's surroundings because one is then free to give attention to other things because of that inner contentment.
That's my surroundings, but what about yours? :o)