According to Rightmove, the number of City residents contacting estate agents to buy a home in a village rose by 126% in June & July 2020 compared to the same period last year.
This increase in buyers looking to move outside cities began in April according to the company and is continuing, with the uplift in village enquiries most notable among people living in Liverpool, Edinburgh, Birmingham & London.
Rightmove’s announcement mirrors our own experiences.
“The current crisis has led to a lot of people re-evaluating and re-prioritising various aspects of their work and home life†said Mark Walton, CEO of Sensée “and it is no surprise to read that some are opting for a simpler life away from the cities.
“The rise of homeworking over the last few months will have played a part in decision-making as many people have not only come to realise that they can work from home but also that they can do so effectively.”
74% of long-term homeworkers say that a better work-life-balance is a key benefit of work-from-home according to The 2020 UK HomeAgent Survey. 86% say that they incur no travel-to-work costs, and 81% that they have removed time wasted travelling to work.
(Pic) Sensée homeworkers – some views from the office window. Top row L-R: Tracey (Menai Strait, Gwynedd, Wales), Nicola (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan); Bottom row L-R:  Cherie (Looe, Cornwall), Beverley (Snowdonia National Park, Wales), and a cycle ride after work with Hannah (Wasdale, Lake District)