City workers crave a life in the country

Increasing numbers of homeowners are considering a move to the country according to Yorkshire Bank's quarterly Housebuyers Survey.

The latest survey findings reveal that the luxury of breathing clean country air instead of choking on city smog is now a major draw for Brits. 59% of respondents believe that living in or near the countryside, away from the noise and pollution of the city, could improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Cleaner air isn't the only consideration. Schools are also a major factor, with almost a third (32%) of respondents willing to consider a move to the suburbs or a more rural location to find a higher standard of education for their children.

In comparison, just 27% prefer the hustle and bustle of city life, refusing to sacrifice shorter commutes, shopping and socialising for a calmer life in the country.

Gary Lumby, Yorkshire Bank's head of retail, said: "Potential buyers are savvier than ever and are really doing their homework when it comes to finding the perfect location to buy. In contrast to the recent trend of buying, improving and moving on, many buyers are concentrating on finding a home where they can settle long-term, and build a future for themselves and their family."

While the idea of a slower pace of life may not fit with the image of the today's typical young professional, it seems that even young go-getters can see the benefits of country living. Some 62% of twentysomethings claim city living isn't vital to career progression, while a further 48% aspire to owning both a city crash pad and a country pile with a view to enjoying the best of both worlds.

Gary Lumby added: "It's easy to see why those currently living and working in the city might find the idea of a quieter pace of life in the country appealing. So much so that 72% of those questioned were prepared to spend more than an hour on their daily commute to allow them to benefit from a career in the city, and for their family to enjoy the calmness of country life."

However, the picture in different regions varies dramatically. Just one in five (21%) Londoners would be willing to give up the convenience of living in the city for a new life in the country. In contrast, residents in East Anglia claim to crave country life the most, with more than half (52%) saying that they'd prefer to live in a more rural area.