Over the last couple of years, there has been a significantly higher number of people working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise of people working from home, both short term and long term, could have a big impact on the Port Douglas rental property market and wider rental industry trends.
We have also seen people continuing to work from home even after being able to return to their original offices in some areas. This could mean more people are choosing to continue working remotely and not return to the traditional office environment.
Work From Home Means Work From Anywhere
A key feature of the working from home trend is that we can work from anywhere. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we would typically choose homes that are close to our jobs, or jobs that are close to our homes. As a result of needing to adapt to new ways of working remotely, people are now able to work from all over the country, and world.
We have seen more people leaving bigger cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne, and moving to quieter places such as Port Douglas and other lifestyle areas. Many bigger cities have experienced severe disruptions due to COVID-19, and more people are realising they are able to move further away from the city and still stay in their jobs.
Although Port Douglas may have previously been dominated by holiday homes and vacation rentals, there could be more people moving to the area for everyday living. If more people are able to do their job anywhere, we might see people opting for more relaxed and lifestyle focused areas such as Port Douglas.
The Work-Life Balance of a Port Douglas Rental Property
One of the many things that has come with remote working is more people realising the general wellbeing benefits of work from home. While work from home doesn’t work for everyone, it is a viable long term option for a lot of people who are constantly time-poor and run off their feet with city working and living.
The demand for properties further away from bigger cities and closer to lifestyle suburbs may continue to increase and have an impact on people’s wellbeing. Some of the work-life balance reasons people might choose to move to Port Douglas include:
- Calming ocean views
- Close to the beach
- Restaurants and cafes
- Quieter and less crowded
- Many green and park areas
Port Douglas is often associated with relaxing holidays and getaways, which might attract more people choosing places for the work-life balance it provides.
Choosing Bigger Homes for Better Home Offices
In bigger cities people are more likely to live in smaller homes or compact apartments because of space limitations and higher rental prices. However, if more people are working from home, particularly in the long term, they probably don’t want to be using their dining table as a desk or having business meetings with their bed behind them.
There may be an increased demand for homes with larger living spaces, open plan areas, or more rooms. This allows for a more comfortable workspace and a better separation between work and living spaces in the home. There are lots of options in Port Douglas properties for rent that allow for this more permanent workspace.
An interest may surge in upgrading to properties with one or two more rooms than before, so that people can work more comfortably and professionally. If there are a few people living in the house, particularly with children, it’s even more desirable to have a separate room for office purposes.
Port Douglas Rental Opportunities
There are many changes to both work and lifestyle habits for people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen some changes to Port Douglas rental property trends, and hope to see continued positive impacts into the future. If you are looking at moving to Port Douglas, you can get in touch with Port Douglas Property Shop today.