City workers look to the country

06/05/2008

City workers are increasingly seeking a move to the country, research by Yorkshire Bank has found.

It revealed 59 per cent believe country life is better for your health and 62 per cent of twentysomethings think living in a city is not essential to help further a career.

Gary Lumby, head of retail, 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 per cent 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."

Respondents cited improved air and reduced noise as reasons for living a more rural existence, although Londoners were less inclined than others to leave their beloved capital - just one in five (21 per cent) would be willing to give up the convenience of living in the city, the survey revealed.

Further research by American Express found employees were looking further afield, with workers twice as likely to take gap years as they were in 2003.

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