Castlebar has emerged as the best place to live in terms of work-life balance while Ballina has come in second place.

The study by Switcher.ie is based on data like access to local amenities like primary schools, major supermarkets and leisure centres, services like broadband speed and mobile coverage, proximity to green spaces and transport routes, plus house prices and crime rates.

The new Switcher.ie Work Life Balance Index (WLBI) looked 50 towns and cities across Ireland to find the top places to strike the perfect work-life balance.

The report details that Castlebar is a bustling town that offers a winning mix of leisure facilities, shops, cafes, good connectivity and plenty of green spaces.

With affordable housing, a low crime rate, and easy access to schools and health services – it’s a great place to balance work and family life.

Castlebar was also named the best place to shop and eat.

The survey said, “There’s a superb range of cafes if you want to pop out for a quick coffee or a cheap lunch and with a great choice of major supermarkets, the weekly shop couldn’t be easier.”

The town was also named as the third best place to live and work with a family.

In regards Ballina, the report said with the River Moy and Belleek Woods on its doorstep, the small town of Ballina in County Mayo offers the best of both worlds.

Affordable housing, good local amenities, and accessible services set in such a lovely location make Ballina the perfect town to work and raise a family.

Ballina also took the top spot for the best place to live and work with a family.

The report said, “Not only does it offer affordable housing, but it’s also a safe place to live and has great access to health services and primary schools.”

Ballina was also named as the third best town for health, fitness and wellbeing, and came in as the second cheapest town to live and work in.

Article taken form Irish Independent