Three-quarters of people in their 30s want to move to a rural area following the pandemic, according to Experian data.

The credit firm’s research says 74% of this age group would like to make this move, with 58% of them adding that location was more important than the property itself.

After more than 16 months of restrictions people in their 20s and 30s have rethought where they want to live, the poll says.

Owning a city centre flat is now deemed to be outdated by 46% of these age groups, with 69% saying they would rather buy a larger property, such as a semi-detached house, in a rural area.

The poll said the top three ‘must haves’ for a property were a garden, wanted by 74% of those asked, followed by private parking or a driveway, 58%, and a spare bedroom, 55%.

However, for the younger age group, people in their 20s, 61% said living close to their place of work was still important.

The research also found younger buyers were among the most active in the property market while the stamp duty holiday was in full effect.

Those in their 30s accounted for 34% of the total mortgage applications made during this time, followed by those in their 40s, who accounted for 27% of applications, while those in their 20s made up 17% of applications.

Yesterday (1 July), the stamp duty nil-rate threshold was reduced from £500,000 to £250,000 until the end of September.

From 1 October, the threshold will return to £125,000 – or £300,000 for first-time buyers purchasing a property worth up to £500,000.

But even as these age groups apply for loans, 57% of people in their 20s and 55% in their 30s worry they “would never be able to afford to buy a property or raise enough money for a deposit”, according to the survey.

The same groups are concerned that they will “never appear ‘mortgage-ready’” to providers, with 49% of people in their 30s and 42% in their 20s expressing this fear.

Experian head of consumer affairs James Jones says: “Green spaces are now more desirable for the majority of those looking for a property, while for those in their 20s living close to work is influential in their home choice.

“Deciding where you want to live and what kind of home you want is exciting, but people are clearly concerned they might not be able to afford a move.

“There are a number of government schemes such as the Lifetime ISA and Help to Buy that could help people, while knowing your credit score and taking steps to improve it will stand you in the best possible position to apply for a mortgage.”

Experian commissioned data group Opinium to poll a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults online, between 18 and 21 June.

It also analysed its credit bureau mortgage application data between 8 July last year, when the stamp duty holiday came into effect, and 25 June this year.