Would you move somewhere else if you were allowed to work remotely on a permanent basis?
A survey released Tuesday by Redfin found that two-thirds of US homebuyers and sellers would consider moving (or already have) to a new city if they could work at home on a full-time basis.
The survey of 1,400 people who bought or sold a home within the last year or plan to buy or sell a home in the next year found:
- 34 percent of buyers/sellers have already moved to a different city or area.
- 33 percent would like to move to a different city or area.
- 30 percent of respondents said they have already moved less than 50 miles away from their former home.
- 23 percent would like to move less than 50 miles away.
- 4 percent of respondents have moved more than 50 miles away.
- 10 percent would like to move more than 50 miles away.
“We haven’t seen the end of pandemic-driven relocation. there will be a second wave of migration this year as permanent remote workers are able to let lifestyle preferences and affordability rather than proximity to the office dictate where they live,” Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather said.
“As homebuyers who want more space for their money continue to move into suburban and rural areas, local governments will need to allow more homes to be built to accommodate them. Remote workers will continue to leave New York and San Francisco, which means homes in those places may become a bit more affordable, a development that could eventually attract new residents or allow local renters to become homeowners.”
See the full survey here.