Have a flexible schedule? Here’s what to consider.
Choosing a new town is a lot less limiting now that many people have more flexibility in when and where they work. Pre-pandemic, the majority of us were going from the suburbs to the city daily – and the trains, traffic, ferries, and buses were a major factor in deciding where to call home. And it was more than just minutes in-motion, for lots of commuters. Waiting lists for suburban train lots could stretch on for years while rail work, gridlock weeks, and more could make those seemingly-short trips even more challenging.
But things have changed and remote work is more common. Companies are offering hybrid schedules and many have started opening additional offices in the suburbs. With this new flexibility, more and more clients are expanding their searches – and that’s a great thing. So what to think about if you’ve got a more flexible commute in the future?
#1. Do You Still Have to Commute?
The way we work has changed – and things are still shifting when it comes to in-office expectations. Some companies are now 100% remote, others are asking employees to come back in full time and many are somewhere in between.
Before you decide where to move, consider your work situation. If you are fully remote, do you expect it to stay that way? And if you are hybrid, how many days a week will you be required to come into the office? A two-hour commute might not be so bad if you’re only making the trek a few times a month.
#2. Do You Need to Be Close to the Airport?
Do you travel for business – even if you don’t report to an office? Proximity to the airport might be something to consider. Think about how often you take a work trip and how long you want to spend traveling to and from the airport on a regular basis.
Maybe you don’t fly for work, but you still have to travel. How close is the nearest train station? Does the suburb you’re considering offer easy access to a major highway? Spend some time thinking about your unique travel requirements before deciding where to focus.
#3. Do You Need to Be in the Same Time Zone?
If you’ve become 100% remote, does that mean you can live anywhere? Even with this flexibility, there may be some logistics to factor in. Remote work seems to come with plenty of conference calls so think about the time zone changes before you decide to make a cross-country move.
That being said, maybe you don’t mind adjusting your schedule or your job doesn’t come with routine meetings. If you really are flexible, now might be the time to try out another part of the country you’ve always dreamed of moving to.
#4. What Are the Perks (and Drawbacks) of Being Farther Out?
With commuting off the table, you might be able to move farther away from the city. Are you hoping for a lot with acres of land? Do you want to be closer to family? Maybe you just want to move to a different market to try something new.
Depending on what your priorities are, moving farther out may be the right call. But think about the flip side too. Sometimes, being far from the city cuts down on your entertainment and retail options. It all comes down to what you want your lifestyle to look like.
#5. Where Would You Love to Live?
Moving is a big, exciting decision. With the changing dynamics of the workplace, you can actually think about where you’d love to live – not just how much of a commute you can tolerate.
Spend some time reflecting on what you want out of your town. Are you looking for an outdoorsy community where you can hike or surf before hopping on a conference call? Do you still want proximity to the city for cultural events? With remote work, there are more location options on the table than ever before.
With so many options, how do you start narrowing down where to look? By scheduling a FREE Suburbs Strategy session. We’re here to help you find the town that’s right for you, no matter your commute.