The third annual National Remote Working Survey

This shows that coastal counties are the preferred location for those considering relocation.

Of those who have relocated due to Covid-19 and remote working, most have moved to the more populous counties, but all counties welcomed new residents.

• Counties Galway and Cork are the top two destinations for possible relocation.
• Those who have relocated have a higher level of formal education, 48% of those who have relocated have a masters or doctoral degree.
• Counties in the greater Dublin Area and Wexford are also popular possible relocation destinations; Wicklow 5.9%, Wexford 5.7%, Kildare 4.6%, Meath 3.4%
• Of those who have relocated nearly two thirds (63%) have left Dublin followed by Cork (7.7%) and Galway (7.4%)
• While counties Galway and Cork are the most popular counties to relocate to, every county welcomed new residents that had relocated due to Covid-19 and remote working.

Almost three quarters of those who have relocated across Ireland in the past twelve months are under 40 years of age. This is according to new analysis carried out by the Western Development Commission and NUIG Galway. The research which came from further analysis of the recent National Remote Work Survey, which was released last month shows a breakdown of counties people have moved to and moved away from. One tenth of the survey respondents indicated that they have already relocated within Ireland since COVID-19 because they can work remotely.

‘The National Remote Work Survey has identified a broad trend over the last 3 years that just under 10% of respondents have already moved with further significant numbers actively considering it. This supports anecdotal evidence and stories that are familiar to many of friends and colleagues that have moved to more regional and rural locations. This trend highlights the importance of remote work in supporting balanced regional development and initiatives like the ConnectedHubs network and legislative support for remote work can sustain these trends into the future. Tomás Ó Síocháin, chief executive of the Western Development Commission

The research shows that counties Galway and Cork are the top two destinations for possible relocation while every county has now welcomed new residents who have relocated due to Covid-19 and the opportunities that have arisen from remote working. The findings also show that counties in the Greater Dublin Area and Wexford are also popular relocation destinations with Wicklow at 5.9,%, Wexford at 5.7%, Kildare at 4.6% and at Meath at 3.4%. One factor which may account for the popularity of counties around Dublin as a destination to relocate to is the need to commute to workplaces in Dublin if working in a remote hybrid pattern and if attendance at the office is required a number of days every week. Of those who have relocated, nearly two thirds (63%) have left Dublin, 7.7% have left Cork and 7.4% have left Galway.

Other findings from the analysis shows that those who have relocated have a higher level of formal education with 48% of those who have relocated having a master’s or doctoral degree. The survey also highlighted that more women than men have relocated and of those who already relocated because they can work remotely 46% rented their home and 54% owned their home.

Information taken from the western development commission. Read and download the full report HERE which includes a breakdown of counties 

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