Headed Back Into the Office? You May Decide To Move

Headed Back Into the Office? You May Decide To Move

Remote work has surged over the past few years, allowing many people the flexibility to move and work from anywhere.

Now, as more companies require employees to return to the office, some are re-evaluating where they live and whether they need to move.

How Return-to-Work Policies Are Impacting Housing

During the rise of remote work, many employees took the chance to relocate from expensive or crowded city centers. Some moved to suburban areas with bigger homes and yards, while others chose more rural locations. However, more people are now returning to cities.

According to Bright MLS data, over half of surveyed workers would need to reconsider their living situation or deal with long commutes if their employer enforced a return-to-office policy (see chart below):

And you might be one of them. If you moved farther from the city during the work-from-home period, you could now be dealing with a longer daily commute than you originally expected. After a few trips, you may find it’s manageable and not as challenging as you first thought.  

However, sometimes, no matter how much you try, making it work just isn’t possible. A commute that seemed reasonable once or twice a week might feel overwhelming when it’s required five days in a row. The costs of frequent commuting, the time it takes, or the impact on your free time could all be too much. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains:

“During the pandemic, when remote work became the norm, homebuyers were able to move farther out . . . But workers do not have the same flexibility that they used to, and some are going to have to make a tough choice if and when their employer calls them back into the office full-time.”

If you're considering a move, there's no need to stress. Speaking with a real estate agent can help you explore your options. Whether you're looking for a home closer to work, trying to balance commute time with affordability, or planning to sell in one area to buy in another, having an expert by your side can make the process smoother.

Bottom Line

If returning to the office has you thinking about relocating, let’s connect. An agent can help you determine what’s possible and what makes the most sense for your situation.

Where would you choose to live if your commute or work routine needed to change?