As the world continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, remote work for many has continued to be the norm, rather than the exception.
Throughout the pandemic, workers throughout the DMV adapted to remote working possibilities, often taking up residence in beach houses and vacation properties less prone to transmission and restrictions. We’ve already seen relocation trends throughout the nation, with many leaving permanent residences in large, notoriously high-cost cities for less populated, more affordable areas. However, despite the potential allure, there are numerous reasons to stay in the DMV.
Here are our top five:
1. Current market demands
Pandemic-related shutdowns and ongoing worker shortages have produced a spike in materials costs, paired with limited supply. These conditions affect the housing market, but they also spiral into nearly every facet of living and relocation. Living in the DMV comes with the blessing of varied housing options, an expansive metro area, and a fairly stable employment rate. Simply put, living in the DMV comes with a certain level of stability—even through a pandemic—that most of the country is not currently experiencing.
2. Connectivity and location
Few areas in the country have access like the DMV. Within just a few hours, residents can reach mountains, oceans, beaches, and even New York City. With an expansive public transportation system, D.C. area residents have options to save on transportation costs and those of vehicle ownership and maintenance, while also having multiple airports from which to choose. Beyond leisure, this means that while working remotely from their homes, workers can easily reach vacation properties to work offsite for the week, or travel for business meetings whenever needed, conveniently. This level of accessibility to a change of scenery or travel options is hard to find elsewhere.
3. Year-round outdoor access
Relocating outside of the DMV generally comes with a change in the climate. And if there’s one thing we learned through the past 18 months, it’s that year-round access to fresh air is priceless. Heading north generally limits outdoor activities over winter, while heading south may give you more heat and sun than you care to handle. In the D.C. metro, we may have warm summers but in general, have plenty of outdoor activities from which to choose all year round.
4. Local immersive learning potential
Home and online schooling options remain the education vehicle of choice for many. While textbooks and online units can provide insights into historical events, there’s nothing quite like seeing it. Living in the DMV provides unhindered access to countless historical and scientific learning opportunities.
5. Washington, D.C., is unique
While there are plenty of reasons to keep living in the DMV even when permanently working remotely, our number-one reason to stay is simply that there is no place like Washington, D.C.
Nowhere else in the nation has the number of monuments, free museums, other attractions like the National Zoo and botanical gardens, and access to theme parks; beaches; and mountains. It’s beautiful year-round, has expansive public transportation, lively entertainment, great employment opportunities, and numerous unique neighborhoods to explore.
