Londoners Are Considering Making a Move Back to the Capital: What’s changed?
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused panic and disruption for many people over the past couple of years, especially Londoners. When the pandemic first struck, Londoners couldn’t wait to leave the capital city.
With severe lockdown restrictions implemented at that time, people couldn’t wait to leave London for a variety of reasons, such as the availability of a better car parking spaces and the requirement for a remote working office. You can click here to see more information about why people were desperate to leave London in 2020.
However, it’s now 2022 and with all lockdown restrictions removed and there is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if someone tests positive for COVD-19, is London now slowly starting to see an upturn in residents wanting to return?
5 Reasons Why Londoners Are Returning to the Capital City
- The Job Market
In the last two years, COVID-19 hit the job market hard. With a higher cost of living and fewer job prospects, it’s unsurprising that many people have chosen to move back to London.
London has always been a hub for jobs and this is still true today. There are a number of companies based in London that are hiring and the job market is predicted to grow even more in the next few years.
- House Prices
House prices in the capital are much higher than in other parts of the UK, but they have been slowly falling over the past few years.
The end of pandemic restrictions and reopening of offices are luring buyers back to London. Inner London boroughs saw a significant drop in prices this year, with homes across the capital seeing an annual decline of 2%. The race for space continued as Bromley topped all other areas and recorded an 11.5% price increase to £610 500.
Tim Bannister from Rightmove said, “ As the final legal restrictions look to be ending soon, and more businesses are encouraging a return to the office for at least part of the week, we now have a group of movers who are looking to return closer to major cities, or at least within comfortable commuting distance of their workplaces.”
Outer districts had higher rates than inner ones, which means that people will be more likely to move there if they want value for money when purchasing a new property or renting out their empty rooms at home.
- Entertainment, Nightlife, Convenience
London is also a great place to live if you’re looking for entertainment and nightlife. The city has some of the best restaurants, bars, and clubs in the world.
With the COVID restrictions now lifted, Londoners are returning in droves to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Additionally, the extensive Underground systems and buses that run all night, new cycle lanes and a growing number of cycle hire stations make getting around London easier than ever.
4. Education
London is also home to some of the best universities in the United Kingdom. This combination of quality and affordability is why many Londoners are returning to the capital city. If you’re looking for high-quality education, London is the place to be.
- Culture and Diversity
After two years of being forced to stay inside and away from other people, many Londoners are now eager to return to the city. London is a multicultural city with people from all over the world.
This makes for an interesting and vibrant community. The city is getting back to the feeling it had before the pandemic and people are loving it.
Conclusion
What do these findings mean for Londoners and the city’s future? It looks like things are starting to look up for London. People are returning to the city, businesses are opening and house prices are on the rise.
The challenges facing London today are different than they were two years ago, but with a strong community and a focus on progress, it looks like London is ready to take them on.
