Are you a rural stayer or scarperer? - November 09

The couple recently found their perfect rural bolthole at Scarthingwell Park after moving from their family home in York. And the driving force behind Chris and Josie's move from the house where they had lived for 24 years and raised their son Tom? "A low maintenance home that means less upkeep and repairs," says Chris Key.

"I am retired and my wife is due to retire next year. We enjoy travelling and so maintaining our house was becoming more of a chore than a pleasure.
'Downsizing to Scarthingwell Park was more like a lifestyle choice than an admission of approaching old age. We still wanted spacious rooms, just fewer of them, that, plus the freedom of a low maintenance home allows us more time to indulge our passion for travel."

The fresh air afforded by the location was also a commodity the Keys felt was worth paying for, and by their own admission, their well-being has also improved.
The move to the three-bedroom Cedar townhouse also gave the couple the opportunity to de-clutter their lives. "It was surprisingly liberating!" continued Chris. "We moved from a larger detached house where, over the years, we had accumulated an incredible amount of unnecessary items that didn't need to come with us when we moved.

"It was a big lifestyle change but one we are very happy we made. Great views, wildlife on your doorstep, traffic-free roads, a slower place of life, real pubs, clear starry skies and bags of fresh air. Another bonus is the friendly community, and we are lucky to have fantastic neighbours!"

Every year more than 100,000 people move to the countryside - craving village life, tree-lined streets and a better quality of life, above busy bars, a pavement cafe or a branch of their favourite shop.
Yorkshire has a rich variety of rural landscapes from sweeping moorland to chocolate-box hamlets and picture-perfect living has many hidden benefits as Chris and Josie Key know only too well being Yorkshire born and proud of it!

"We have enjoyed great success with Scarthingwell Park and are now down to the final two homes which really do represent the ultimate in hassle-free homes.

"As such, we expect them to prove very attractive to downsizers and I would urge anyone wanting to move somewhere peaceful, which isn't too far away from all civilisations to act now!" says David Mackintosh, Sales and Marketing Director at Portford Homes.

An impressive venture of new homes ideally situated in the sought-after area of Barkston Ash on the boundary of Tadcaster, Scarthingwell Park boasts an enviable location in a secluded and mature setting surrounded by attractive mature woodland, paddocks and picturesque lakeside view. The A1 is only a few minutes away, making this the perfect location for people who want to live in this rural area but remain within easy reach of the surrounding cities, Leeds and York.