Born and raised in Newcastle, Mr Rampton had been visiting the city for the past 12 years to catch up with relatives and friends.

After falling ill recently, he decided to make the move permanent, to be closer to family.

Mr Rampton, 65, said the decision to move was an easy one.

"Tamworth is one of the cleanest, tidiest and well-cared-for places you could ever wish to see," he said.

"The council seems to care and maintain facilities to a high level of presentation."

Mr Rampton said the people he met throughout Tamworth showed politeness and were caring and as helpful as could be.

"Impatience seems to be a lost condition around town how good is that?" he said.

Mr Rampton's list of compliments for the city continued.

"Retail staff show an ability to be patient, not pushy, and assist in every way possible," he said.

"The high standard and the multitude of food outlets make the choice of where to go for coffee or to dine an impossible task."

He said he believed he'd even found the "perfect breakfast" in the city.

"You go to so many towns and places and you notice the dirty footpaths and the potholes in the roads," he said.

"Tamworth has a freshness and it's obvious the vast majority of other people who live here have pride in their town."