Why Hybrid Work Changed Where People Choose to Live

Following the pandemic, hybrid working has become the new norm for a significant number of us. Recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows that in 2025, 27% of the workforce had a hybrid working arrangement, with a further 13% of people working fully remotely.

Clearly, remote working has impacted how many of us think about – and perform – our work, but it’s had an effect on other areas of our lives too. There’s an increasing body of evidence to suggest that hybrid working may now be influencing relocation trends across the UK, with those working remotely for 3 or more days per week, more likely to have relocation plans.

The End of the Daily Commute

For those with hybrid working arrangements, the grind of the daily commute has become a thing of the past, with many workers now able to choose where they work on a week-by-week basis, only travelling into the office for in-person meetings, for example.

This move away from a central place of work has freed up people to prioritise their personal preferences and lifestyle over proximity to city centres and traditional commuter hubs. This has led to a surge in moves to other regions of the UK that might previously have been considered too remote or without the required transport links to attract workers.

Lifestyle Over Location

Hybrid workers are increasingly seeking areas with green spaces, strong communities, and better work-life balance, allowing them to build a lifestyle that suits them, rather than feeling tied to one particular area due to work.

For many, relocating can also be a more affordable option, enabling young professionals and working families to get onto the property ladder or move into a larger more suitable home, and improve their overall standard of living, rather than paying a premium for city living in order to be near work.

Modern Homes For a New Way of Living

With the rise in hybrid working and the freedom this brings, developers have begun to cater to this trend by designing new build homes that cater to hybrid lifestyles.

These are properties that prioritise the things that matter most to those working remotely. For example, energy efficiency to reduce the strain on household finances from larger heating and electricity bills that are often associated with working from home.

Developers also understand that many hybrid workers need dedicated home office spaces in spacious, functional homes that benefit from integrated smart technology and contemporary design to benefit those embracing flexible working arrangements.