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The Post-Pandemic Return to Cities
The arrival of the pandemic heralded a collective move away from cities and into the countryside. The increased space, the larger ratio of houses to flats, and idyllic outdoor landscape generally rendered rural areas preferable for many households during lockdown.
Without the appeal of the amenities available in cities, the relatively cramped conditions of urban areas compared to rural settings seemed less ideal. The move to work from home not only furthered the desire for space, but likewise meant that the need to live close to the office or workplace was no longer a priority. This so called ‘race for space’ was reflected in house sales, and, as a long-established moving company based in East Anglia, we were able to see the change first hand.
However, two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that a return to city living can be seen. Figures gathered by The Guardian in early 2022 appear to back this up, along with Rightmove reporting that there has been a 50% increase in client’s from rural areas looking to head into large cities such as Bristol, Liverpool and London during 2021. For instance, according to the local authority, the city centre of Liverpool has seen a population increase of 6%.
The property website Rightmove also described an increase in searches for smaller apartments in city centres, rather than the houses that dominated the property market in 2020.
Hamiltons have seen a steady increase in moves to urban areas since last summer, demonstrating the public’s change in priorities since the end of lockdowns. As a highly respected name in UK removals to Europe and further afield, this is a trend we are seeing overseas as well. Pictured is a move that we carried out in the centre of Paris in December of last year.
The easing of restrictions has encouraged people back to the workplace along with opportunities to socialise again. As such, cities once again hold numerable incentives for many. This, likewise, means the return of daily commutes, in turn creating a renewed demand for properties near train stations.
After the isolation of the pandemic, the excitement and opportunities provided by urban areas is proving to be popular once again. The abundance of nightlife, shops, pubs and restaurants as well as job opportunities all appear to hold increasing appeal once again after the last two years. London and Manchester, both hubs of activity and excitement, have seen the most growth since the start of the pandemic.
The pandemic does, however, seem to have had long-lasting effects when it comes to homebuyer’s choices. Rightmove noted earlier this month that gardens have become a priority for many. Indeed, they reported a 70% increase in searches for properties with gardens in comparison to 2020.
So, while the desire for rural living is declining post-pandemic, the effects of the COVID-19 ‘race for space’ is still appealing to many.
Hamiltons Removals – A Leading Moving Company in East Anglia
Hamiltons offer professional, stress-free removal services for all moves, however large or small, local, national or international. We can help with commercial and domestic moves to Bristol, Liverpool, London, Manchester and other cities across the UK.
We also have dedicated European and International removals departments which can handle any overseas moves.
For more information, visit our website at https://www.hamiltonsremovals.co.uk/index.php for a free quote, or call us on 0800 246 5622 for a chat.
Five Top Tips for a Summer Declutter
Summer is as good a time as any to get rid of any unwanted items in and around your house; you haven’t got the excuse of it being too dark or wet, and it’s a productive way of using at least part of your summer holiday. Hamiltons Removals, personal storage specialists in the heart of East Anglia, provide some top tips on how to declutter your home over the next couple of months.
Sort Out Summer and Winter Clothing
If you aren’t wearing summer items now, or don’t plan to, then you really should be asking yourself if you really need them. The chances are, you can probably give them to family or friends, sell them over the internet or donate them to a local charity shop.
Look at your winter clothing too – there may be some items you can get rid of even though you won’t be wearing them for another few months. Alternatively, you could put winter items into self-storage if you are really pushed for space and just transfer them with warmer weather attire as the seasons change.
Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Gear
Again, if there are items in your garden shed or garage which you haven’t been using over the summer, ask yourself if you need them. Some tools, garden furniture and children’s play equipment could be sold off; you probably won’t be using them over winter when it will be too dark, cold and wet to do much outside. Again, the long-term solution may be to put them into storage if you really can’t make your mind up about whether to keep them or part with them.
Involve the Children
They will be around too – most pupils have around six weeks of summer holiday. So, make them feel part of the process by encouraging them to join in with your decluttering; after all, there may be some items which they can get rid of themselves. This applies to toys which they no longer play with, old books, and school uniforms which they have also outgrown. Give them an incentive by helping to sell them on eBay or other auction sites – and let them keep some of the proceeds.
Don’t Spend Too Long on Your Declutter
You (and your children) will probably want to enjoy the sunshine and not be cooped up indoors all the time; remember you should get some fresh air every day (provided it’s not too hot).
So, either give yourself a time limit on how long you spend on decluttering every day- around half an hour should be enough, as this will concentrate your mind and encourage you to be ruthless. Alternatively, do it on a room-by-room basis, or just concentrate on one wardrobe or chest of drawers at a time.
Don’t Forget the Kitchen
Summer is a time when wasps and flies tend to hover around, ruining any food that’s left out; you will need the maximum amount of space you can get to ensure everything is out of sight (and taste) for any airborne insects. Give everything a good declutter; start by removing all the out-of-date items at the backs of cupboards and fridges that you may have forgotten about.
It’s also a question of reorganising and priorities – for example, a juice maker should be more accessible than a deep fat fryer. Given that you are more likely to use the former than the latter in the warmer weather, make sure it’s at the front of a cupboard rather than the back. And don’t forget to clean the backs and tops of cupboards while you are removing everything – dirt, grime, dust and pollen can easily build up there. Any hay fever sufferers in your household will certainly appreciate your efforts.
The fridge shouldn’t escape your attentions either – you’ll need plenty of space for cold drinks, ice cubes and ice cream. Ideally, given the number of items you will be storing, it should be defrosted to make sure it’s working at maximum efficiency.
Personal Storage in East Anglia with Hamiltons Removals
If there are items you can’t make up your mind about, or want to swap out between summer and winter, then we also have self-storage facilities on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Our Safe N Stored sites are at Harleston and Aldeby; the former has rooms of various sizes from as little as £65 a month while the latter has containers which are ideal for lawn mowers, bikes and other larger items. Both sites are highly secure and are covered by CCTV cameras. For more information, follow this link.
And, if you need a helping hand when it comes to packing stuff away, then we can supply high-quality packing materials for all our customers, whether you are from Norfolk, Suffolk or further afield. These include small, medium and large decluttering kits which are available through our online shop.