Escape to the country in Yorkshire: what buyers need to know before going rural
GOING rural is a dream for many and there is plenty of fuel to fire that ambition, not least “Escape to the Country”, which is one of the BBC’s top-rated TV programmes.
“Escape”, as it is known to its ardent fans, shows would-be escapees from towns and cities what their money can buy if they choose to embrace rural living and spring is peak time for those considering a move to look for a new home.
Yorkshire with its Dales, Wolds, heather-covered moorlands, green pastures, wild uplands and numerous chocolate box villages has always been a prime target for those hunting for a countryside property and this was boosted by the pandemic which made working from home mainstream.
It was then that a startling number of people from all over Britain made a beeline for God’s own county to what many perceived as value for money when it came to rural idylls.
The mad rush has calmed but the desire to move to a chocolate box cottage, farmhouse, barn conversion or country house in Yorkshire is still strong amongst urbanites.
So who is looking, what do they want, what will they have to pay and perhaps, most importantly, do they understand what escaping to the country really entails?
Property consultant Alex Goldstein says one of the biggest mistakes made by those who are are looking to move from urban areas to the country is that they do not factor in the logistics when buying a property. This often occurs when the heart rules the head.
Alex, who helps clients to find, buy and sell residential property, says while cost is a consideration for most, what may not be obvious is longevity in terms of occupancy.
Moving to the country is all very well but there could be factors that draw you back to suburbia.
He adds: “The idea of living in a remote rural idyll doesn’t always fit in with family life, particularly if you have children who want to see their friends and attend clubs. You could find yourself driving miles every week, which eats into your free time and you realise that you need to be closer to amenities.
“Equally, if you are older you may find that you don’t want to be out on a limb. In both these cases moving to somewhere semi-rural, either in or close to a village with amenities, or a small town might be better.”
Alex also suggests a try-before-you-buy approach by renting in the rural area you think you want to buy into. That way you can make an informed decision when it comes to putting in an offer.
Hilary Pegrum of York based Blenkin and Co. estate and letting agents agrees that the heart can rule the head when it comes to hunting for a rural property.
She says: “We have a lot of people from the London and the Home Counties moving up to this part of Yorkshire for the private schools and because they want more space.
“Some would like to live in York but that doesn’t give them the large garden they want, so they look in the rural areas around the city, including the Howardian Hills.
“While buying there works for many, others realise that driving children to and from school in York is too much and so they they make a second move into the city, which is sensible because children can be close to friends and schools and you don’t have to drive them everywhere.
“This doesn’t mean giving up the dream of living in the country, you might just have to delay it.”
Hilary adds that there is now a number of exceptional historic homes in the Howardian hills that are A rated for energy efficiency and renovated to a very high standard. There are also those that need of renovation, though the market for these is less buoyant due to the increasing cost of materials and labour.
Among the most popular areas to buy into the rural dream are those in and around well-served market towns with a railway station and good schools. Malton is a good example. It is a 25 minute rail journey to York and two hours to Manchester airport.
We asked Tim Gower, head of residential at the Robin Jessop estate agency, what he would advise for those new to country living, he says: “If buyers are in a later stage of life then it may be easier if they live somewhere more accessible with amenities such as a market town like Leyburn. The same applies to those who have children.
“We have noticed that accessibility to amenities has become more important for those moving to the Dales but having said that we still have plenty of mid-lifers who want to enjoy their next 15 to 20 years living in a more remote area away from it all.”
If that is what you are looking for then Hill Top Farm in Arkengarthdale may appeal. The four-bedroom farmhouse with barns, workshop and stunning views is accessed by a one and a half mile track. It is on the market for £575,000 with Robin Jessop.
What can you get for your money in the Yorkshire Dales? A two-bedroom cottage is from £150,000 to £200,000, a larger cottage is £250,000 to £400,000 and a semi-detached or detached in a good village can be £500,000 plus.
Finally, don’t underestimate the pull of newly-born grandchildren. It’s not unusual for townies to go rural only to sell up again to be closer to the next generation.