Remote‑Work Relocations 2.0: The Cities Gaining (and Losing) Buyers in 2025
Sun‑Belt fatigue meets “quirky‑city” rise
Redfin’s spring migration dataset upended pandemic‑era narratives: Dallas net inflow cratered from 35 k (2023) to 13 k (2024) while Spokane, WA vaulted to #1 gainer.
Why?
- Housing still expensive in hotspot metros. Median Dallas list prices climbed 38 % since 2020; remote workers are price‑sensitive once again.
- Corporate hybrid mandates. Amazon, JP Morgan & Dell trimmed “work anywhere” to “three days in office,” nudging staff back toward hub airports.
- Lifestyle arbitrage evolves. Mid‑sized “quirky” cities (Spokane, Providence, Knoxville) combine sub‑$450 k homes with walkable culture.
Gainers vs. decliners (Q1 2025)
| Rank ↑ | Net inflow | Median home price | Big hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | +7,900 | $439 k | Ski lakes + West Coast time zone |
| Nashville, TN | +7,300 | $475 k | Music, zero state income tax |
| Providence, RI | +5,600 | $414 k | 1‑hour Amtrak to Boston |
| Rank ↓ | Net outflow | Median price | Pain point |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | –21,000 | $1.2 m | Cost + office mandates |
| Phoenix | –9,400 | $442 k | Water issues, 110 °F summers |
| Boise | –6,100 | $456 k | Price doubled; locals fed up |
Survey pulse
Howdy.com polled 3 400 fully remote staff: 20 % expect to move in 2025; 46 % cite “lower cost of living” as top driver, but 31 % now list “closer to company office” vs. 19 % a year ago.
Boomerang buyers: a new sub‑segment
Agents report a mini‑wave of “boom‑a‑rangers” — workers who left NYC or Bay Area in 2021, banked raises, then return to lock in a condo before potential rate cuts. Early signs: contract activity for <$1 m Brooklyn condos up 9 % YoY.
Policy play
Gainers scramble to update zoning codes. Spokane fast‑tracked an ADU ordinance and doubled staff in its permit office after wait times hit 6 months. Losers, meanwhile, pitch “super‑commuter” tax credits to claw back residents.
Outlook
Remote‑work 2.0 looks less like a Sun‑Belt land‑rush and more like targeted lifestyle arbitrage—cities that pair affordability with distinct cultural identity will win the 2025‑27 cycle.
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