More Americans are embracing remote work, a trend that endures even after the early days of the pandemic when mandatory lockdowns meant that many had no choice but to work-from home. As the modern employment landscape has changed, there has also been a fluctuation in moving patterns since employees are no longer tied down to their physical office spaces. Specifically, people are choosing to leave large cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and NYC and settle in more affordable places.

As a premier Orange County moving company, we have seen the impact that remote work has had on moving patterns and have noticed that more clients are opting to relocate because they have found a remote job that makes this possible. The way that people work is changing, which is impacting how and where they live.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Working from Home

Most people enjoy the benefits that come with remote work, with data showing that 57% of work-from-home employees report that they would look for new jobs should their current employers do away with the remote work option. Some benefits of working remotely are:

  • Flexible Hours: Employees love that they can easily pop out to run an errand or tackle that never-ending pile of laundry in between work tasks.
  • Work/Life Balance: The lack of commute means more time for leisure activities, along with more opportunities to visit with family and friends. In fact, one of the most cited reasons for relocation when working remotely is wanting to live in closer proximity to loved ones.
  • Better for Finances: Working from home has helped employees save on commuting costs, office wardrobes, and lunches out. And when people opt to move for a work-from-home job, they are often relocating to areas with lower costs of living.

Of course, remote work also has some potential downsides, including:

  • Technology Issues: Depending on where you live, you might encounter problems like a poor internet connection that can slow down your work. You also might find that it takes longer to resolve technical issues as a remote worker.
  • Isolation and Loneliness: Most remote workers stay in touch via phone calls and video chats, but still, the social rhythm of your day is different as a remote employee. You may find yourself missing those water cooler chats and midday coffee runs.

What the Data Shows About Remote Work and Moving

Studies have shown that the rise of remote work is most likely impacting moving patterns and that it will continue to do so. Some notable statistics include:

  • During the pandemic, the ability to work remotely led one in ten Americans to move.
  • By the year 2025, it is estimated that 32.6 million Americans will be working from home, which is about 22% of the workforce.
  • It is estimated that companies save about $11k per employee on expenses like office space and utilities when permitting employees to work-from-home. As more people move due to remote work, businesses may downsize their office spaces. If you need help with a commercial move, the qualified team at Merit Moving Systems would be happy to help.

How Merit Moving Systems Can Help with Your Relocation

Moving is an exciting time, especially when remote work has allowed you to live somewhere better suited to your needs. Merit Moving Systems is a full-service moving company that can help with your relocation. Our friendly and professional team would be happy to help with your move. We also offer packing and storage services. Contact us for a free quote.