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2020 has certainly been a challenging year for us all, but if you were ever in doubt, Perth has recently been crowned the happiest place to live in Scotland!

Move over Edinburgh, Perth is the only Scottish city on Rightmove's Top 20, with St Ives in Cornwall the overall happiest place to live in Britain.

As priorities have changed due to to the impact of coronavirus, the various restrictions in place, and of course the switch to home working for many, access to nature and green spaces has become more important this year for home-movers when choosing where to live. Something that Perthshire has in abundance.

Perth was found to be the fifth happiest place to live overall in the UK and also the second cheapest place in the top 20 to buy a home at £163,303.

When lockdown restrictions were implemented in Scotland in March as a result of the global pandemic, property market activity was severely impacted. However since restrictons on the property market were relaxed in June, there has been a surge in property market activity, with many people moving into the area from England, as well as house moves from within the region. Lockdown made many people assess their living situation and many then realised that their property was no longer fit for purpose - from wanting more garden space to flexibile living space to being nearer friends and family, this led to an increased number of homes coming to market. And with more properties coming on to the market there has also been a high level of competition from buyers.

Despite Scotland currently being in a five-tier system of coronavirus restrictions, house moves are still allowed. The Government has made it clear that home moves will continue to be permitted, provided they can be carried out safely. People can move home in all protection levels, and to and from areas with different levels.

If an excuse was ever needed then Perth's latest accolade will certainly showcase the region as the place to live in 2021.