Coronavirus: Rural markets boom as Brits flock to countryside
This story reinforces what we already knew instinctively. It is not likely to lead to a more sustainable rural agenda….
Rural markets are booming as COVID-19 drives UK homebuyers to the countryside, with many happy to pay premium prices.
Rural locations have hit a new level of popularity among home buyers, according to Zoopla.
The rural district of Ryedale in North Yorkshire saw the highest boost in sales agreed – up 63% in the past six months, compared to the same period in 2019, data from property portal shows.
Herefordshire, one of England’s most rural areas and well known for fruit and cider production, came in second, with an uplift of 46%.
Meanwhile, Sevenoaks, which extends across Kent, otherwise known as the “Garden of England”, came in third, with sales agreed up 44%.
“The growth in flexible working, combined with a search for more space, has led to some city-dwellers looking for a change in scenery,” said Zoopla.
“It’s not just Londoners who are exiting the city limits – the uptick in demand for rural property extends to other regions in England.”