It seems that Covid-19 has accelerated the growing migration of people out of London and into home counties and beyond. The first lockdown has forced many previously reluctant employers to embrace the idea of their staff working from home and in many cases, they have probably seen their productivity increase. Suddenly, those expensive inner-city offices don't look quite so necessary, the two-hour daily commute is not as appealing and it is becoming clear that the potential benefits for employee health, job satisfaction and even the environment are enormous. This theme seems likely to continue in a post-Covid world. Whilst some of the more adventurous London escapees might be heading as far as Wales, Cornwall or even the outer reaches of Scotland, the majority still need quick access to London for the occasional meeting (or maybe they can't completely give up on our capital’s vibrant social scene). As such, the home counties have recently become a lot more popular. According to Rightmove, searches for properties in nine specific areas have doubled during lockdown, and all of them have populations of less than 11,000. Even Rafferty & Pickard’s lovely home village of Aylesford in Kent has made the hotlist.
If your property is situated in a commutable Kentish village, has fantastic views, a space for working from home, a gym, bar, pool or even a tucked-away spot for a hot tub, then it has just become more desirable than ever.
