Fancy escaping to the country? Here are the best rural places to live
The Orkney Islands in Scotland has been named as the best place to live in the countryside for the second year in a row
FANCY swapping the rat race and the daily grind for a quieter life?
Well now you can get some help in deciding where to pick - with the remote Orkney Islands in Scotland being named as the best rural area to live in the UK.
It's the second year in a row that the islands have been named as the best place to live in the countryside.
Halifax's annual Rural Areas Quality of Life Survey looks at various factors to decide where would be best to up-sticks to including crime rates, employment levels, education standards, and happiness.
Rutland in the East Midlands came in second place, followed by Wychavon in the West Midlands and Winchesterand Waverley in the South East.
Residents in Rutland residents have some of the biggest homes in rural Britain, with an average of 6.4 habitable rooms, Halifax said.
In total, almost a third of the top 50 places to live are in southern and east England - but the north east had no places in the list - with only Northumberland ranked at a lowly number 95.
Monmouthshire was the only area in Wales to make the top 50, coming in at 19th place.
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Russell Galley, managing director at Halifax, said: "With strong education and employment levels, low crime rates and residents loving life, not to mention breathtaking wide open spaces, the Orkney Islands have retained the crown of Britain's best rural place to live."
Looking at how rural quality of life varies across the country, he said rural areas in the South East receive higher weekly earnings, while those in the East Midlands have larger property sizes.
Mr Galley continued: "On the southern coast, sunnier climates shine through in the rankings, while, lower house prices-to-earnings, wellbeing and class sizes give northern areas the desirability factor."
Best rural places to live in the UK
HERE'S the top 10 places to live in full according to Halifiax
1. Orkney Isands, Scotland
2. Rutland, west midlands
3. Wychavon, west midlands
4. Winchester, south east
5. Waverley, south east
6. Craven, Yorkshire and Humber
7. Richmondshire, Yorkshire and Humber
8. Stratford-on-Avon, west midlands
9. Uttlesford, east England
10. Ryedale, Yorkshire and Humber
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