It’s no secret that remote work has exploded over the past few years. That newfound flexibility gave tons of people the chance to pack up and work from just about anywhere they pleased.

 

But these days, more and more companies are asking employees to come back to the office. And for a lot of folks, that’s sparking some big decisions about where they live—and whether it’s time to move.

 

How Back-to-Office Policies Are Changing the Housing Market

When remote work took off, a lot of employees jumped at the chance to leave pricey, busy city centers behind. Some traded urban life for suburban neighborhoods with bigger homes and backyard space, while others headed even further out to quieter rural areas. But now, things are shifting again—more people are making their way back to the city.

And according to data from Bright MLS, over half of the workers surveyed said they’d either have to rethink where they live or brace for some serious commute times if their job pushed a return-to-office policy (check out the chart below).

 

And hey, maybe you’re in the same boat. If you moved further away from the city during the work-from-home boom, you might now be staring down a longer commute than you ever planned on making every day. But after a few trips, you could find it’s not as bad as you imagined—maybe even something you can adjust to over time.

But let’s be real—sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it just doesn’t work. A drive or train ride that felt manageable once or twice a week can start to feel like a total slog when you’re doing it five days straight. Plus, commuting that often can get expensive, eat up way too much time, and leave you with barely any hours left for yourself. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, puts it:

 

“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 starting to think about moving, don’t sweat it—talking to a real estate agent can help you figure things out. Whether you’re looking for a place closer to work, trying to balance commute time with your budget, or even selling your current home to buy somewhere new, having an expert in your corner can make the whole process way smoother.

 

Bottom Line

If heading back to the office has you thinking about moving, let’s team up. That way, you’ll have an agent to help you explore your options and figure out what works best for you.

So, if your commute or work routine had to shift, where could you picture yourself living?