After almost three months of sheltering in place, many people have had quite a few realizations about their lives and what’s most important to them. Certain aspects that were once high on the priority list are no longer the case, and things that were at one time “a must have” are being replaced by different wants. COVID-19 brought about an unexpected clarity and many people are now jumping into one of life’s biggest changes and moving out of larger cities to settle down in more suburban areas. The pandemic and the thought of what life will be like post-COVID has finally convinced city dwellers to give up on big-city living.

The reasons for moving vary; some people are looking to be closer to family, others are in search of more space, and for some, it’s more of a necessity due to the high cost of city living. Some moves have been temporary but it seems as if those short-term stays are becoming more permanent.

Now, in the wake of the pandemic, nearly one-third of Americans are considering the move to less populated areas. Crowded cities are no longer as appealing as they once were and living amongst millions of people in such close quarters no longer offers the same romanticism it might have even a year ago.

Gone are the days of squeezing into packed elevators, crowded subways, cramming into small neighborhood bars and restaurants, or even the bustle of walking closely next to each other down the street. In today’s era of social distancing, the ways of city living that residents took as “normal” will likely never be normal again.

The things that originally attracted residents to “city life” are currently unavailable and even as they start to reopen, people are still hesitant. They want to stay away from confined spaces and refrain from sharing common areas and amenities in order to continue social distancing.

Not being able to access those luxuries that once were attractive brought about a clarity and changed people’s perspective on where they want to live. For some, the allure of the trendier neighborhoods is waning. Instead of stepping out onto a small balcony for a breath of fresh air, they’d much rather step into a more spacious backyard, especially as family and friends these days find gathering at home a much more viable choice.

Another big change has been for the employees working from home, many whom have never experienced remote working up until now. Instead of working out of a cramped, small space, if you’re not required to be on premise in the foreseeable future, why not seek out a home that offers enough square footage to potentially create your own separate home office? That appears to be the question many work from home employees are asking themselves right now.

These past few months have shown many companies that employees can indeed work successfully off-site. If remote working becomes the “new norm,” then the desire to live close to the office will no longer factor into one’s decision on where best to reside.

And while many residents are packing up and heading out of the city, that doesn’t mean one has to completely leave the state (unless that is you want to). There are many surrounding areas outside of the larger cities that offer more spacious living without having to completely forfeit some of the comforts you’re used to and still hope to one day enjoy.

What’s unique about Brooklyn is the fact that in addition to the neighborhoods that give off that “city” living vibe, areas like Dumbo, Williamsburg, and Cobble Hill, there are also neighborhoods such as Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Windsor Terrace, and Dyker Heights, which offer residents an environment that is more residential. With both one and two-family homes on the market, potential buyers have the option of purchasing a home that will allow for family members to move in for that additional rental income.

Without moving too far, residents of Brooklyn who do not want to leave the borough but want the luxuries that come with owning a home can find the best of both worlds here. At times, certain areas may have been overlooked for the trendier neighborhoods, but with people looking for larger living space that is no longer the case.

Sadly, COVID-19 has instilled in people a sense of dread when it comes to being close to others, and with the uncertainty of what the future holds, along with the changes cities are experiencing, residents are making the conscious choice to head out and purchase now when interest rates are low.