If you weren’t familiar with the Danish town of Hørsholm before, you might well be now. Hørsholm was recently ranked second in the country for quality of life.
The study by Realdania, in collaboration with Statistics Denmark, asked 122,000 Danes about their well-being, particularly their quality of life.
The study results were surprising: with more rural areas like Hørsholm ranked higher than the “big four” Danish cities. Læsø, a tiny municipality off the northeast coast of Jutland, was ranked top.
So, what is it that contributes to quality of life from a Dane’s perspective, and what makes Hørsholm such a desirable place to live?
The results may surprise you. Community spirit, community events and a feeling of inclusion within the neighbourhood all rate highly. Add to that, satisfaction with housing, and friendly and welcoming neighbours all add to building happiness and that quality of life. A recent article (www.realdania.org/news/latest-news/2025/our-happiness) found that those who speak with their neighbours 3-5 times per week are particularly happy and rate their quality of life as high.
This may explain the abundance of ‘vejfest’ (street parties or street celebrations in residential areas or communities) and community events in these higher-ranking locations. Events like these are even more important in more rural areas for building that sense of community and connection. Danes are far more socially curious than for example in the UK, where it is often the case that you may not even know your neighbours’ names, nor speak with them regularly or even at all even after years of living next door.
With regards to money and wealth, Danes tend to aim for ‘having enough to live on and pay the bills’ rather than aspirations of amassing a fortune. Perhaps this is also a reflection Danish society where volunteering plays such a key role in forming community clubs, activities and projects. These all provide opportunities to build a social network and have that feeling of inclusion on your doorstep which everyone can contribute to and benefit from.
In other countries, community volunteering does not exist or is nowhere near as prevalent. In the UK it is often seen only in areas of deprivation and where community services are often dependent on and impacted by cuts to local government spending .
For the unfamiliar, Hørsholm municipality lies approximately 25km to the North of Copenhagen on the Øresund coast and covers approximately 23.2 square kilometres. The town of Hørsholm itself has a population of almost 24,000 people and developed around Hirschholm Palace, constructed in 1737. From small beginnings, it grew as a garrison town, and from subsequent industrialisation, with the Royal Military Textile factory and other industrial enterprises moving in. In the 20th century Hørsholm gradually grew together with nearby Usserød, Rungsted and Smidstrup.
Today Hørsholm is linked to engineering, science, and technology. The DTU Science Park, part of the technical university of Denmark, is home to many technology and biotech start-ups. The Danish window manufacturer VELUX has its headquarters in Hørsholm.
So, what is it about Hørsholm that propels it into second place overall in the quality-of-life charts? Here are some key highlights that make Hørsholm stand out:
Affluence
One factor which undoubtedly has impact is the affluence of its inhabitants. A recent analysis by ae.dk (the economic council of the labour movement) in 2023 identified that the average value of personal wealth or fortune, per adult, across Denmark is 2.1million DKK (based on personal assets, pensions, savings etc). In Hørsholm it is 5.4million DKK. So, it is fair to say that many inhabitants can be considered to be in a comfortable financial position. House prices are more expensive in the municipality than in many other areas.
Accessibility
Hørsholm has good transport links with rail and bus services connecting to the capital and beyond to the airport and Sweden, cycle routes, and a good road network, so it’s easy to get around whether you are relying on public transport or have your own vehicle. Helsingør highway is Denmark’s oldest highway and connects Horsholm to Copenhagen in the South and Helsingør to the north.
Excellent Education
There are several high-quality schools and education institutions which makes Hørsholm a desirable location for families. A high level of education is considered important for overall well being and development of the community.
Scenic Surroundings
The surrounding countryside is a mixture of forest walks and open green spaces and has many riding schools and cycle paths. The beach and harbour at nearby Rungsted enable sailing, swimming, and water sports so there are plenty of options for enjoying the great outdoors and connecting with nature. Again, this is recognised as an important component of the ‘happiness scale’ and contributor to a good quality of life.
The town is a mixture of old and new, with older buildings and some great outdoor spaces including the Slotshave, the former gardens of Hirschholm Palace now a scenic and historic public park providing a serene environment for walking and outdoor activities.
Strong Community Spirit
Within Hørsholm many of the residential areas have very active neighbourhood groups. This also promotes the sense of community and fosters connections among neighbours. Numerous ‘street events’ are planned throughout the year such as summer parties, the official lighting of the Christmas tree and so on to encourage neighbours to come together and socialise. The neighbourhood groups and their representatives often have approaches to maintaining the integrity of their surroundings. These groups help to keep up certain standards such as ensuring that nobody goes rogue with planting an unacceptable variety of boundary hedge, keeps their gardens and boundaries neat and tidy, thereby respecting and showing consideration for their neighbours ‘for the common good’ and preserving the environment and promoting green spaces.
The town hosts various festivals and cultural events. There is a thriving central cultural centre; Trommen (‘’The Drum’’) which houses a cinema, the main library and a recent addition of a café and bar. Nearby there is also the Karen Blixen Museum in Rungsted.
A vibrant economy
A walk through Hørsholm town centre supports the fact that its inhabitants are comfortable financially. There is a large and ever busy branch of the upmarket supermarket Meny. In fact, Hørsholm benefits from the presence of about every main Danish supermarket chain: SuperBrugsen, Fotex, Rema and Netto. Midtpunkt, the town shopping mall, has several upmarket independent retailers and multiple cafes and eateries including the likes of Peter Beier and Summerbird. The high street boasts a well-stocked branch of Illum Bolighus, carrying both homewares and clothing. There are too many nail bars and hairdressers to count, a gym, and a thriving wine bar, in addition to more regular finds such as a brilliant ironmonger.
So Hørsholm really does seem to have something to offer to all, providing your personal finances can accommodate it. A scenic and well provisioned town, good services and transport links, beautiful countryside and surroundings, and proud residents with a good community spirit. As the Danes say, ‘What’s not to like?’
