With the rise of teleworking, many employees are asking themselves the question of moving to improve their working conditions at home. Teleworking has become a norm for one in ten French workers , with offices mainly located in Île-de-France.
Is moving to better telework really the ideal solution? This article explores the different facets of this question.
Why consider moving to better telework?
The advantages of moving when working remotely
More spacious accommodation
One of the main advantages of moving is the possibility of having a larger home. A larger living space makes it possible to create a dedicated home office, promoting better separation between professional and personal life . For example, a teleworker who moves from Paris to a medium-sized city may go from a cramped apartment to a house with several rooms, one of which may be entirely dedicated to work.
A calmer environment
Moving can also offer the opportunity to live in a calmer environment. Far from the noise and hustle and bustle of the city, a peaceful living environment improves concentration and reduces stress, which increases productivity. For example, moving to a small town in Normandy or Brittany allows you to benefit from a natural and calming environment, far from urban noise pollution. These regions, such as Normandy, Brittany and New Aquitaine, particularly attract Ile-de-France residents in search of tranquility and nature.
A more pleasant living environment
Living in a region with a more pleasant living environment, such as the countryside or the coast, also improves the quality of life. A natural setting, with green spaces and better air quality, makes teleworking more pleasant and less stressful.
Teleworking in Île-de-France
Teleworking figures in Île-de-France
In 2023, according to the Forum Vies Mobiles study, teleworkers in Île-de-France will be distributed as follows:
- 25% live in Paris
- 33% in the inner suburbs
- 35% in the greater suburbs
- 7% outside the region
This distribution shows a significant concentration of teleworkers in areas close to the capital, where infrastructure and services are more developed.
Types of housing occupied by teleworkers
The majority of Ile-de-France teleworkers (63%) live in apartments , which can pose difficulties in terms of space and tranquility.
A teleworker living in an apartment in Boulogne-Billancourt, for example, may have difficulty setting up a dedicated work space in a small accommodation. Conversely, a teleworker outside of large metropolitan areas, who mostly live in houses, often have spacious home offices.
Living and working in Île-de-France
Travel time
Ile-de-France residents take on average 43 minutes to reach their workplace, a longer journey time than abroad. This factor may encourage some to consider moving to reduce this travel time, especially if they are only occasionally in the office.
Flexibility of schedules
The cost of living in Île-de-France is also a determining factor. Moving to less expensive areas offers greater purchasing power and an improved quality of life. For example, leaving Paris to settle in the Centre-Val de Loire region allows you to benefit from more affordable rents and a more peaceful living environment.
Teleworking outside Ile-de-France
Getting around quickly in Île-de-France
For teleworkers living outside Île-de-France, the train remains the main mode of transport to reach the Paris region . This shows some geographic flexibility, but with time and cost constraints .
For example, a teleworker who works in the Paris region and lives in Tours can use the TGV to travel to Paris in less than 1.5 hours, while enjoying a more relaxed living environment outside of office days.
The choice of second homes
The choice of second homes is a strategy adopted by a growing number of teleworkers in the Ile-de-France region to improve their quality of life and optimize their teleworking conditions.
More than one in three Ile-de-France teleworkers have a second home , or 17%, and 5% of Ile-de-France residents surveyed rent a second home full-time. These second homes offer an escape from the constraints of urban life and allow for variety in working environments.
These secondary accommodations are mainly located outside the Île-de-France region , for 64% of cases. And are found in regions like Normandy, Brittany or New Aquitaine.
For example, a Parisian teleworker may own a second home in Normandy, where he can retire for periods of teleworking, thus benefiting from a calmer and more natural setting. In this way, teleworkers can benefit from a more serene and calming working environment, far from the stress and nuisances of the capital, while maintaining a pied-à-terre in Paris for those occasions when a physical presence in the office is necessary.
This trend shows the importance for teleworkers to find a balance between their professional and personal lives, exploiting the advantages of teleworking to improve their living environment. The use of a second home thus appears to be a viable solution to combine professional efficiency and personal well-being.
Reasons for wanting to move
1. Need for bigger accommodation
According to a survey conducted by the Forum Vies Mobiles in January 2024, the search for larger accommodation is a key motivation for many teleworkers wishing to move.
2. Have an outdoor space
Housing with outdoor space is also very popular, offering a more pleasant living environment and opportunities for outdoor relaxation.
3. Live in a calmer environment
A calmer living environment, far from urban hustle and bustle, greatly improves the quality of life and work.
Profile of Ile-de-France teleworkers who plan to move
Ile-de-France teleworkers who are considering moving have a specific profile:
- They are often young, with 52% of them under 35 years old.
- Additionally, 19% telework full-time, prompting them to seek an environment more suited to their needs.
- Most currently live in an apartment, with 72% in this situation, and many are looking to change this configuration to accommodation with more space and comfort.
- This group of teleworkers is also more dynamic in terms of professional changes: 42% have changed their professional situation recently, and 64% are considering changing jobs.
Is it necessary to move to better telework?
Although moving can offer several advantages to improve teleworking conditions, it is not always necessary. Alternative solutions such as arranging a home workspace or using coworking spaces can also be effective. In addition, staying close to your workplace also has undeniable advantages. The choice to move must therefore be carefully considered according to your personal and professional needs.
Alternatives to moving
- Home layout
It is possible to improve your home workspace with simple and effective arrangements. Good office furniture, a reliable internet connection and good space organization make a big difference.
For those who want to no longer see work items once their day is over, a folding desk for teleworking is an ideal solution. It sets up in a snap to start the workday and packs away in seconds once the day is over, making all signs of work disappear from home. This flexibility makes it possible to maintain a clear distinction between living space and work space, contributing to a better separation between professional and personal life.
- Use of coworking spaces
Coworking spaces offer a practical alternative to vary teleworking locations, especially for those who need to socialize or benefit from a more structured work environment.
- Flexibility of workplaces
The flexibility of teleworking allows you to work from different locations, without necessarily moving. It is possible to work from a second home, a coworking space or even a café.
