Are People Moving from Big Cities Again?
With the recent announcement of potential pandemic-led restrictions, new data by SpareRoom reveals more than 50% of the UK renters want to move from cities if they could work remotely.
The pandemic has changed property priorities and drastically boosted the implementation of remote work: many businesses introduced flexible or hybrid working models or implemented fully remote work.
People started to find its benefits and enjoy online work, but with the easing pandemic restrictions, many decided to return to offices.
What Happened?
With the recent announcement of potential pandemic-led restrictions, some expect a massive return of remote work. Thus, it raises some questions about city living. Will people stay in major cities like London despite the pandemic? Or will they move as soon as they have a chance to work online from anywhere in the world?
The latest study by SpareRoom shows 49% of renters of London flats would move if they could still have their job.
Out of those who want to move, 38% say they would leave the country and live abroad. Around 22% would like to move to the rural areas, while some want to live in a new city or town (19% and 11%, accordingly). Surprisingly, 10% of the renter say they would not like to settle in one particular place.
And this data is not about London exclusively. In fact, more people living in other major cities would like to move out than those residing in the capital.
More than half (51%) of people living in major cities would like to move, with 62% of those not living in big cities also wanting to change their locations provided they keep their jobs.
Professional Says
Matt Hutchinson of SpareRoom thinks the pandemic has shown the benefits of remote work for people. Online work created opportunities for people to choose a living place based on lifestyle rather than commute.
The research shows that most renters are ready for lifestyle changes and moving, regardless of the city name, if the employers introduce remote work.