The Covid-19 pandemic showed that remote work can be equally effective as working from an office. Many employers took advantage of this opportunity to reduce some of the costs. On the other hand, employees saw it as a possibility to return to some old habits. They changed their way of life to some extent but did the same amount of work and were as productive as they would typically be. The moving industry faced many changes due to this situation. The impact of remote work on local moving trends is noticeable even in 2023. Verified Movers brings you all the information, so keep reading. If you are planning a local move, we can help you find some of the best movers too, no matter where you want to go.
Why do Americans move locally due to working remotely?
Since the trend of working remotely continued in the post-pandemic years as well, the trend of moving locally, which started in 2020, and was even more popular in 2021, also continued. In 2023, the trend of working from home has become firmly established. It has a significant impact on the way Americans live and work. With more and more people able to work remotely, the need to live close to their workplace had diminished, and many Americans started hiring local movers and trying to find homes that better suited their new way of life.
There are a few reasons why the impact of remote work on local moving trends keeps on being so strong. The following two are crucial:
- People need more space;
- The cost of living keeps changing/becoming higher.
The need for more space
The need for extra room was one of the main drivers of this change as soon as the pandemic started, and people were obliged to work from home. They desired more space to suit their jobs, hobbies, and families, as they stayed home more often. The urge to have bigger homes with extra rooms for home offices, exercise spaces, and other activities increased as a result. Many Americans choose to relocate to the suburbs or rural areas to find larger homes with more outside space. This impact on moving trends, especially the local ones, is similar in 2023 too.
The jobs that can be done remotely, even to the most minor extent, are done that way. People don’t feel the need to live in the most popular areas to be closer to their office. The National Association of Realtors reported that home sales in suburban and rural areas increased by 13% and 16%, respectively, compared to a 7% increase in urban areas.
The costs of living are higher
While some people need bigger homes and are looking for ways to make their homes real offices, others are trying to downsize and save up since the costs of living have increased. This is especially the case with rent prices. Many Americans who had previously resided in pricey metropolitan areas discovered that by relocating to less costly locations, they could get more money. Due to the fact that they were no longer bound by their employment, they had more freedom to look into cheaper housing possibilities. Additionally, moving locally is the best way to save up on a relocation too.
How many people moved since the trend has started?
In 2021, 41% of Americans worked from home since the pandemic was still present. What is interesting is the fact that 38% of them planned to continue working remotely once the pandemic is over. The moving trends in 2023 show that they fulfilled their wishes. Also, in 2021, 30% of people only changed cities or towns but stayed in the same county.
Regarding 2022, the USPS data show that 84% of people moved within the same county, city, or town. Among them, only 7.5% changed their area and moved to a different city, while less than 0.30% changed their state. Some of the cities that were affected were San Francisco and New York, for example. It is not a surprise since these are the economic giants, while at the same time, they are among the most expensive cities in the USA. That is why people moved to smaller areas in these cities or to more affordable places.
Even though New York is one of the best US cities for millennials, its high cost of living makes (80% higher than the average in the USA) people move to places with more reasonable prices. These statistics suggest that the trend of Americans moving locally due to working from home is likely to continue. The real estate market will continue to be impacted by this shift in living and working patterns.
What will the impact of remote work on local moving trends look like in 2023?
The trend of Americans moving locally due to the newfound flexibility of working from home will be common in 2023. Increased demand for rural and suburban homes is expected. As remote work becomes more common, the need for homes with more space and outdoor areas will continue to grow. That will make people turn to suburban neighborhoods with more affordable houses. If you plan on changing the neighborhood soon, getting to know your new neighborhood will be simple if you follow advice from Verified Movers.
Another reason local moves are expected to continue happening in 2023 are more flexible work arrangements. As companies become more comfortable with remote work, they may offer more flexible work arrangements, such as part-time or hybrid work schedules. This could allow employees to live farther away from their workplaces, as they would only need to be physically present in the office for a portion of the week.
Grab the opportunity for a local move
Overall, the impact of remote work on local moving trends is expected to continue to be significant in the coming years. More people will seek homes that better accommodate their new way of life. As remote work becomes more common and accepted, we will likely see continued changes in the way people live and work, with new housing options and flexible work arrangements emerging to meet the needs of the changing workforce.