Monday, April 13, 2020

COVID-19 and housing preferences?

I've been thinking a lot about COVID-19 and distancing.  I live in a single family home, with a distinct front door entrance.  I easily control who enters.  My daughter lives in an apartment building with two secure, exterior entrances.  This means, she, the other residents and other residents' guests enter through those two doors.  There is one elevator, and two stairways.  From a germ exposure standpoint, were she staying there (she's staying with us), she'd be exposed much more than we would.

It seems that the density of living situations is playing a part in COVID-19 infections.  New York City is so dense, strict shelter in place rules aren't showing the same positive results as other places.  Similarly, with seemingly rampant cases, care facilities and nursing homes are struggling.  The assisted living place where my dad lives, was quick to keep residents in their apartments, and forbid outside visitors, but for essential personnel.  We're thankful this seems to be working.  But this is a place where all residents have their own distinct apartments.  Imagine working through this in a shared room environment.



As many of us think about "after" and "normal", I can't help but wonder if we'll see changes in housing preferences.  Do some folks realize working from home is great, if only they had a distinct home office?  Will people move to be closer to family, after having been unable to travel to be with family? Will people in shared living spaces want more control of their environment?

Will all off this influence housing amenities?  Buildings with secure entrances and elevators have been popular.  Will people now favor apartments and condominiums with distinct, outside entrances?  Will developers tout superior air handling capacity, mangers advertise aggressive cleaning protocol?  Will lobbies, roof decks and common rooms no longer be seen as desirable amenities?

As our journey to "after" is sure to be slow, possibly with some set backs, it may be years until we can look back to see changes to housing preferences.  That being said, has "stay home, stay safe" caused you to think about possible changes to your living situation (aside from I wish the fridge refilled itself and the laundry got magically done)?


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