GREEN SPACES VERSUS COMMUTING

With the coronavirus rampant in U.S. cities and big towns many people are thinking of relocating to less crowded or even rural and country areas.

THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

As I stood on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River looking at some of the most expensive real estate in the world in Manhattan I was reminded that living in New York – a city that under normal circumstances never sleeps – is a lifetime’s dream for many people.

But in a post coronavirus world where urban areas have been hardest hit and tightly-packed New York has been the epicenter that dream might just be changing in favor of the suburbs!

POLLS SUGGEST A MOVE IN THE OFFING

A recent Harris Poll suggests nearly a third of Americans are thinking of moving to less densely populated areas as the virus rages on.

I spoke to realtor Natalya Price of Compass, New Jersey.

“Clients are calling us – they’re desperate to move out of the city they’re looking to get out to the suburbs and they want to move like yesterday.”

SUBURB LIVING AND LIFESTYLE

And what you can get for your money just over 20 miles from the city is astounding.

Katie and her family came to the suburbs against the wishes of many in her extended family who at the time would have preferred they stayed in the city – but the green open spaces proved too tempting – and now the tables have turned.

“I actually have a lot of friends who are thinking of moving into the suburbs for that purpose because of everything that’s happened with Covid.”

The sense of community in the town of Summit, New Jersey – which is where I have lived for nearly 18 years – is very strong.

THREE FRIENDS MEET AT A FARMERS’ MARKET

Lois, Amy and Mary are friends who come to the local Farmers’ Market in Summit most weeks for some fresh air and bargains.

The market has just reopened for the first time since last year with extra space between stalls to help with social distancing.

Lois – “I love it, I love it that’s what’s so wonderful about a place like Summit you can come to a place like this and see everybody.”

Amy – “It is a wonderful place to make friends and make connections.”

Mary – “If you have to work in the city, the commute is very convenient.”

THE DREADED COMMUTE

Ah, yes the commute – might that not prove to be unbearable for city dwellers who are more used to a swift subway ride to the office?

We now know many people can do their jobs just as efficiently from home – so maybe there’s no need for big offices down the line in Manhattan anymore – or if there is – probably no need to go in everyday? Natalya told me.

“Everyone feels that there is no way that they’re going back to commuting to the city five days a week so they say if I have to go to the office once a week I’ll suffer the commute.”

SUPERB SUBURBS

Obviously higher unemployment and uncertainty means not everyone who wishes to come to the suburbs will be able to … but as things open up that may change.

Natalya says, right now, her top priority is inventory. There’s not enough homes coming on the market to keep up with demand.

“If you were thinking of selling sell we don’t want anyone to be forcibly moved but absolutely if you were thinking of selling now is the best time”