ACTING ON GUT INSTINCT – first published in November 2021

Life is tough sometimes. We shouldn’t shy away from those moments – instead, we should come together and learn from them.

Over the past two years, living through a global pandemic, we have seen first hand how people are living through all manner of issues in their personal worlds. Everyone’s day-to-day has been turned upside down, and as a consequence – we are seeing decisions being made much more quickly than they would otherwise have been. A change of job. A shift in outlook. A resetting of work life balance. A pressing need to stop putting that big life decision off for another day. A realisation that time is our most precious commodity.

Flexible, agile working has brought so much to the society of today. Coupled with the restrictions on travel, we’ve all had to find new and ingenious ways to find our own ‘quiet time’. But with this has also come an appreciation of personal space and location.

A UK Economic Report by PwC in January 2021 predicted that the population of London could fall in 2021 for the first time in more than 30 years, as the economic fallout from COVID-19 prompts people to reconsider big-city life. The report highlighted:

“City-dwellers are now rethinking their living situations in light of the pandemic, and re-evaluating the importance of larger homes, green spaces and connections with the local community. Increased working from home could mean that living in London may no longer be seen as a necessity for finding high-skilled, high-paid jobs.”

PwC also said in its report that it expected a decline of college graduates moving into London in 2021.

“Primarily driven by job opportunities, this pattern of graduate migration may be disrupted in 2021 as jobs are harder to find.”

But on the flip side, there is an inherent need for people to feel connected. To their friends, families and to their work. The isolation and peace that comes with living away from the city may not suit everyone ALL of the time. As such, those that are able to, are looking to keep a foot in both camps.

Whatever the driving factor, an increasing number of people are now acting on gut instinct. Previously, individuals, couples and families would deliberate these big life decisions for months – sometimes years – before taking that big step. The con’s would outweigh the pro’s and the status quo would remain. But no longer.

International buyers, now buoyed by the resumption of international travel, are heading back into the UK. From the US, the Middle East and Asia in particular. And typically these people act quickly. They know what they like and are constantly seeking new opportunities – which will no doubt increase demand and competition in the prime and super prime market further.

But our collective appreciation of time is what has changed the most. No longer do we take it for granted.

In being taken so far out of our comfort zones since the start of the pandemic, we have learned what is most important to us. And in so doing, we don’t want to waste a moment. It is more important to seize the day than miss the boat. And if a change of scene doesn’t work out the way it might be anticipated, then we now know that a new scene could just be around the corner. Waiting to be found.