Key business figures in Cumbria have backed a recent survey that has found Cumbria as one of the most popular areas in the UK for relocating to have a strong work-life balance.

More people are expected to re-think their future post-Covid 19 with an expected rise in people relocating from urban and suburban area to a more-rural setting.

Jo Lappin, chair of Cumbria’s Business and Economic Response and Recovery Group (BERGG), part of the Local Resilience Forum, responsible for developing the economic response to the pandemic, believes it is no surprise and she has warmly welcomed it as a way to address the county’s declining working age population while supporting economic recovery and growth.

The survey, by online mortgage broker Trussle, found that a quarter of UK adults had taken advantage of the time afforded by the Covid-19 lockdown to re-think their futures and were seriously considering relocating in the next couple of years. Cumbria ranks as one of the most attractive alongside other rural locations, including Cornwall, Devon and Yorkshire.

Mrs Lappin, said: “It’s understandable that many homeowners and would-be buyers are looking for a different way of life post-Covid-19. During the pandemic, we have learnt that many people can work from home using digital technology such as video conferencing, which means that there is now far more freedom as to where people can live, as they are no longer tied to their business location. People have discovered a new way to work and are now looking for a new way to live and where better than Cumbria? It really does have it all – beautiful and affordable. Cumbria really can provide the right product, at the right price in the right place for every potential buyer.”

Nick Miller, managing director of Fine & Country estate agents, said: “I did a virtual viewing on a property near Penrith a few weeks ago with a couple in their 30s from London looking to locate out of the city and were including Cumbria in their search for the right property. Good mobile signal and broadband communications were important for their work to be carried online. Covid-19 has shown you can work from anywhere.”