The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up just about everything—including where people choose to live. Lots of folks traded cities for suburbs, while others relocated to new, often cheaper, areas of the country. With the enduring popularity of remote work, the real estate shuffle isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
“The pandemic led many Americans to revisit priorities, preferences, and timelines,” says George Ratiu, manager of economic research for Realtor.com. “Worries over health, financial pressures, lifestyle, and well-being were channeled into finding a home in a location which offered ample access to the outdoors, better quality of life, and increasingly important, affordable housing.”
According to Realtor.com, about 60% of the clicks on home listings on its website iso far this year came from viewers in other metros.
So where is everyone going?
People in the more expensive cities, colder parts of the country, and college and military towns seem to be looking for exit strategies. Folks in the chilly and pricey Northeast were the most likely to look at homes in other parts of the country. About 37.2% of them viewed properties in different regions.
Here are the most searched destinations on the Realtor.com list.
- Punta Gorda, FL
- East Stroudsburg PA
- Kahului, HI
- Rocky Mount, NC
- Prescott, AZ
- Claremont, NH
- Hilton Head Island, SC
- Santa Fe, NM
- Decatur, AL
- Barnstable Town (Cape Cod), MA
On the other side, here’s where the study noted people are clicking outside their metro area. Some of these areas boast universities or military bases, while others are just plain pricey:
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC
- Columbus, GA
- Gainesville, FL
- Fort Collins, CO
- South Bend, IN
- Manchester, NH
- Dover, DE
- Fargo, ND
As Prescott’s leading custom home builder, we get it! Prescott is pleasant, prosperous and historic. Recreation is plentiful in our nearby mountains and lakes – and our many fine golf courses. And we love having four beautiful seasons, low humidity, and lots of sunshine.
As you think about your next move, think Prescott. And if you’re thinking about Prescott, think Crystal Creek Builders!
