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05/08/22

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Top hybrid working locations

The debate on whether hybrid working is here to stay rages on.

Forced upon the UK workforce due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hybrid working remained popular with both employers and employees after government guidance was lifted in February 2022.

In fact, more than eight in 10 workers said they planned to continue working remotely.

Indeed, since February 2022, the number of people working on a hybrid basis increased – from 13% to 24% in May 2022.

“The rise in the hybrid-working model has not only helped employees to take back time form commuting and improve work-life balance, but also gives people the opportunity to move out of crowded city centres and diversify their location options.

With more people choosing to live outside of the countries capital, we are seeing a rise in those prioritising different factors in their home choice instead of proximity to the office” says Martin & Co’s Managing Director Ellie Hall

So, the number of hybrid workers, or digital nomads, on the rise, we’re revealing the UK’s top hybrid working locations, based on property prices, quality of life and WiFi speeds.

What is a digital nomad?

Digital nomads are people who travel to a variety of locations, using mobile WiFi or public broadband to complete their work.

Common places for digital nomads to work include:

Coffee shops
Co-working places
Libraries

However, many digital nomads combine their work with global travel, and can been seen with their laptop on a beach one day and in a bustling city centre the next.

How to become a digital nomad?

The digital nomad lifestyle is fantastic if you crave freedom while also being able to earn an income.

But there are several things you’ll need to consider – particularly if you’re planning on working while travelling:

1. Get the right job

To be a digital nomad, you’ll need to work in a sector that means you only need a laptop to complete your work.

Great jobs that align with nomadic work include:

Marketing
Accounting
Software and web design / development
Writing and blogging
E-commerce

2. Think about locations

While working from the beach in stunning sunshine is most people’s idea of a dream office, in reality you need to think about:

Connectivity
Timezones if abroad
Banking when abroad
Insurance if travelling
Taxes when working abroad

… and much, much more.

3. The need for community

Hybrid working has many plus points but can feel lonely.

So, think about working from locations that have a strong digital nomad community and plenty of places where you can meet like-minded people.

Co-working spaces in the UK can be great places to make nomadic connections, while major cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester have vibrant communities of nomadic, freelance workers.

4. Rules in different countries

If you’re thinking of travelling globally as a digital nomad, you’ll need to consider each country’s rules before you set off.

Many countries offer ‘digital nomad visas’ – temporary permits that allow people from other countries to work remotely for a set period, usually one year.

Countries offering digital nomad visas include:

Croatia
Germany
Norway
Portugal
Malta
Greece

Spain is also proposing to offer a digital nomad visa in the future.

The top-50 locations for UK digital nomads

York comes out on top as the best UK location for hybrid working.

Our research revealed the North Yorkshire cathedral city has the fastest average broadband speed of our top-50 locations, while property prices are below the UK average at £265,113.

York also ranks highly for green areas, with the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales national parks right on the city’s doorstep.

Further south, both Bath and Bristol rank highly in our top-10, with Bristol known for its creative sector and city centre co-working hubs.

Property prices in both cities are above the national average, but Bath is among the best ranked cities for green space.

Scotland’s best hybrid working locations

Edinburgh comes out on top as Scotland’s best location for hybrid working, with Glasgow (13^th) and Dundee (14^th) also making the top-10.

All three major cities north of the border offer excellent broadband speeds alongside urban amenities, while Edinburgh scores highest when it comes to green areas.

The best coastal locations for hybrid work

While our top-50 UK hybrid working locations are dominated by urban areas, the coastal locations of Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch (48^th) and Brighton & Hove (44^th) offer digital nomads a good balance between WiFi speeds, property prices and fresh air.

Worthing is the best coastal location according to our research, however, completing the top-20.

The cheapest locations for hybrid working

Strabane and Derry City offer hybrid workers the cheapest properties at £114,360, while the most affordable homes in England are on offer in North East town Hartlepool (£122,569).

Sheffield, Chesterfield and Rotherham, meanwhile, offer remote workers the cheapest cost of living, while also ranking highly for green space thanks to the nearby Peak District National Park.

Methodology

Martin & Co looked at the average price of properties by postcode alongside the fastest WiFi and access to open spaces to reveal the top remote working locations across the UK.