Nicki Chapman faced a tough challenge on the latest instalment of ‘s Escape to the Country as she struggled to locate the perfect rural retreat for a couple.
In the episode aired on Wednesday (February 5), the presenter was accompanied by Michael and Karina, a young couple from Manchester eager to relocate to West Yorkshire.
With a budget of £270,000, they were searching for a three-bedroom house brimming with character for themselves and their infant son, ideally situated in a vibrant village with convenient train access to Manchester.
Michael shared the importance of maintaining city connections: “I suppose there’s a little bit of an element for us about wanting to be out in the country but still wanting to be connected.”
He also considered their son’s future needs: “But also for our boy when he gets a bit older for him to be able to go off and do fun things that might not be able to do in small villages, and then be able to come back to greenery and a more comfortable style of life.”
Michael and Karina, who were looking to swap their busy city lives in Manchester for West Yorkshire. (Image: BBC)
Despite Nicki’s efforts to showcase a range of properties, none seemed to resonate with Michael and Karina, indicating a challenging search ahead.
Nicki acknowledged the difficulty: “I feel like we are not quite hitting the mark. This is a superb house with a fantastic village and primary school, not far from a train station, and you have a rural setting,” reports .
She remarked: “But, why is it setting them alight? I’m really not sure, in fact I think I’m slightly struggling. I’m going to have to ask them a little bit more.”
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Escape to the Country couple Michael and Karina didn’t find their dream home (Image: BBC)
Ultimately, they declined to bid on any of the four properties showcased, yet they haven’t dismissed the prospect of relocating to Yorkshire as they emphasised that their quest for the perfect home continues.
Nicki chimed in with advice: “Don’t take your eye off the ball and scour the area all the time because, you know, properties, especially in this part of the world because it is so beautiful and sought-after, they are few and far between, so when they come on the market we know that they move pretty quickly.”
Escape to the Country airs weekdays from 3pm on One and iPlayer.