Is Hounslow really Britain's second most miserable place in which to live?
That's the question we asked after the borough came second from bottom in Rightmove's national survey of the country's happiest locations.
More than 100 people took to getwestlondon's Facebook page to have their say, with some leaping to its defence and others suggesting it was lucky not to finish last.
The no camp extolled the area's transport links, beautiful houses and colourful cast of characters, pointing out that someone must want to live there given the rising property prices.
But detractors labelled the borough a "dive" and a "dump", and claimed it was desperately in need of a major facelift.
Others didn't comment on Hounslow's pros or cons but said there were surely worse parts of the country to call home, with Rightmove's findings opening up the age old north vs south debate.
Jenny Hassett wrote: "Some beautiful houses and lovely space to the area... Should be up and coming in my opinion!"
Bobby Jacobs was incredulous at the survey, commenting: "Jesus man. Hounslow is not the second most miserable place! At least it's got a Tube to central London. I'm not saying it's great but it's far from the second worst place in the country!!"
Even some canine observers appeared surprised at the findings, with Sam Clark posting this photo of a startled mutt:
Sam Garcha pointed out that her entire family had upped sticks from west London to Canada, only to return because their hearts were in Hounslow.
But Corina Aarons wrote: "Hate Hounslow, it's a dive and very very miserable place", and Kelly Anne was among those who concurred, adding: "I hate Hounslow with a passion!".
Much of the criticism centred on the cleanliness or otherwise of Hounslow's streets, and the proliferation of pound shops, but there were some more unusual complaints.
'Every bus has at least one 'sniffer' on board'
Pete Williams claimed he had stopped going to Hounslow because, as he put it: "Every H98 bus seems to have at least one 'sniffer' on board who doesn't seem to know how to use a handkerchief - makes us feel ill."
As for how friendly the borough is, Emma Louise Bedser wrote: "Smile or speak to someone in Hounslow and you just get a funny look", though she noted that Feltham, in the west of the borough, was "an improvement".
However, Manninder Singh was effusive in his praise of the borough's burghers, writing: "Hounslow is great you meet so many different characters... All those who live in Hounslow and moan about it, easy... Don't like it, do one!! You won't be missed."
Theresa O'Mahony agreed, commenting: "This [the survey's findings] is totally not true, you should see how many people in Hounslow where I live smile laugh and enjoy life!"
There were of course those who refused to take sides, adopting a more philosophical approach, like Jay Hall, who wrote simply: "Life is what you make of it."
Tell us what YOU think in our poll:
