Canadians House Hunting Outside Of Big Cities Is Already 2021's Biggest Real Estate Trend

COVID-19 may or may not be a reason for the move. 👀
Contributor

As COVID-19 rages on in the north, it's no secret major Canadian cities are taking the biggest hit, which includes Quebec, Toronto and now Winnipeg

So what are Canadians in these big cities doing? Well, they're moving.

In a report by PwC Canada and Emerging Trends in Real Estate, it looks like people are packing up and hitting the road to secure better residential residences across Canada.

Editor's Choice: Canadian Study Shows Over 75% Of Ex-COVID-19 Patients Have Lasting Health Problems

Why are Canadians moving away from major cities?

Canadians are apparently eyeing suburban areas in order to set up shop instead of largely populated cities like Toronto and Montreal.

The reason for the move? Cities are not only expensive but the seemingly never-ending COVID-19 pandemic and cases surging in these very cities have become too much to bear.

As a result, more Canadians have now begun the search for less expensive housing on the outskirts of dense cities. 

That's mainly because remote jobs have made it easier for Canadians to live in suburban areas without commuting being an issue. 

How is Canada's real estate market doing so well during COVID-19?

One person's loss is another person's victory it seems.

The real estate industry believes that the impact of COVID-19 has in fact pushed for a massive change in developers, sellers and buyers, according to the report.

The hot commodities come as people seek more space, among them, is buying homes or renting a space.

The needs will just increase more in 2021 as folks stay home for longer periods of time without the need or ability to travel.

"The coming year will be all about embracing opportunities to be resilient in the face of uncertainty, while shifting strategies in anticipation of market headwinds," Frank Magliocco, National Real Estate Leader, PwC Canada said. 

What other spaces are Canadians looking for?

Residential spaces are just one of the many spaces Canadians are looking to get their hands on, the others are in fact a laundry list of commercial real estate that is largely impacted by COVID-19.

Office space

Although many Canadians have been out of the office for a large chunk of time, that has not stopped companies from wanting to secure office space in the event that they return.

According to a PwC Canada's survey from September, 37% of workers said they would like to work in their office.

Medical office space

Per the report, there is a growing need for physical space to provide care to patients and medical equipment. 

Fulfillment centers

Fulfillment centres like warehouses, grocery stores, and online retail centres were deemed the most wanted in real estate, according to the report.

With COVID-19 pushing the already growth of the e-commerce sector, warehouses will require additional vast spaces to keep up with public demand, especially as a second wave looms over.

  • Osobe Waberi was a Toronto-based Ethiopian-Somali Francophone writer at Narcity Canada. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a specialist degree in journalism and a news media diploma from Centennial College. Before Osobe’s gig as a national trending writer at Narcity, she worked at Toronto Star, The Canadian Press, VICE, and CBC.

Immigration will soon make up 100% of Canada's population growth

Experts say the switch would be "unprecedented."

Jennifer Pan pleads guilty to manslaughter in a major update to the 16-year-old case

The shocking killing was the subject of a recent Netflix documentary.

The happiest countries for 2026 were revealed and the US beat Canada for the first time ever

It's Canada's lowest ranking since the report was launched in 2012.

Canada Pension Plan payments for March go out soon and the average amount is over $800

Look for a direct deposit in your bank account or a cheque in your mailbox.

24 Costco snacks that are worth buying even if you live alone

You might want to add these to your grocery list!

This Canadian airport was named the best in North America and one of the best in the world

Another airport in Canada won an award for having the best staff! ✈️

Pierre Poilievre & Joe Rogan said Trump's call to annex Canada was 'a crazy thing to say'

"I just wish he'd knock that sh*t off," Polievre said on Rogan's podcast.

The feds are moving benefit payments to a new IT system and the cost has exploded to over $6B

The project could cost more than three times its budget of $1.75 billion.