Want to live longer? You might want to move to Detling in Kent

The residents of the tiny countryside village of Detling – all 800 of them – are the envy of the nation after a new study revealed that the Kent village has the highest life expectancy in Great Britain.

The Public Health England study found that women in Detling have a life expectancy of 95 – compared to the national average of 83 – which is the highest of any area in Great Britain. Men in Detling also have the longer life expectancy of 86, compared to the national average of 80.

Following the results, buyer searches for Detling have skyrocketed on Rightmove, with a monthly jump of 256% in October and an annual increase of +133%.

“A picturesque rural village, with the prospect of a long and happy life – it’s easy to see why potential buyers have been searching for what’s available in this corner of Kent,” said our property expert Tim Bannister.

The lure of longevity in Detling

Detling sits at the foot of the North Downs, about three miles from Maidstone and 34 miles south-east of London.

The average asking price for a property in Detling is more than £200,000 higher than the national average, at £553,496. Four-bedroom detached houses are priced between £550,000 and £800,000, while a large bungalow would set you back between £300,000 and £400,000.

But there’s just a small smattering of homes for sale in the tiny village at any one time, so those seeking a longer life in the countryside village could be facing strong competition.

“It’s always really interesting to see that what’s happening in the wider world can inspire people to jump onto Rightmove and imagine a life in that area,” said Tim Bannister. “In this case, the long life expectancy of Detling residents has captured the imagination, and sent monthly and yearly searches for the area soaring.”

The Public Health England study also revealed that Knightsbridge and Belgravia in London had the highest life expectancy for men at 92, and Ponteland South with Heddon, in Northumberland, had the highest combined life expectancy for women and men – 94 and 88 respectively.

Take a look at homes for sale in Detling, Kent

What can you buy in Detling?

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The header image for this article is provided courtesy of Open House Estate Agents, Nationwide