In recent years, more and more companies are allowing their employees to work in a hybrid fashion. Workers are able to spread their time both in-office and at home, which has many benefits to both the company and the individual. People are no longer having to live somewhere specifically based on the proximity to cities or an easy commute.
The Office for National Statistics reported that 25.9% of people worked from home between January and December in 2020. Between January 2015 to December 2020, an average of 2,631 people worked from home entirely, out of the average of 31,963 who worked over this period and recorded their answers in the survey.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, more employees were asked to work from home than ever before. By September of 2021 50% of British workers were still working from home at least some of the time. As such, many people are now choosing their next property with a home office very much in mind.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the areas in the country that feature high numbers of people working from home, as well as the most idyllic locations that will make your working day as enjoyable as possible in your home environment.
Where are the best places to work from home in the UK?
One of the most secluded rural locations to work in the UK is Lymm in the Borough of Warrington, around the North West region of England. Rent here is relatively low at an average of £772 per month and the village also contains just under 70 green spaces for you to relax in and take a break from a screen. Mendip in Somerset has a good download average of 98 Mbps throughout the village, which helped to place it in third place on the Remote Working Index.
Whether you’re looking for a secluded village to work in or a picturesque town, there are plenty of places to choose from throughout the country that serve as a perfect base to work from home. There are a number of factors that make these places ideal to live in if your job allows you to work remotely.
Depending on your workload, many remote employees prefer to have peace and quiet to complete their everyday tasks. It’s also helpful for your mental wellbeing if there is plenty of greenery and places to walk to clear your mind after a long day. Continue reading to discover other aspects that contribute to a good home-working environment.
Where is the most secluded place to work from home?
Only 2.2 miles from the sea, Whitby is a Yorkshire seaside town that has a tranquil, friendly atmosphere. Houses in the area cost an average of £237,703, whilst the local amenities include seven cafes with good wifi connections for when you want to get out of the house and grab some much-needed caffeine.
Linlithgow, located in West Lothian, Scotland, is only 2.9 miles away from the sea and features Linlithgow Palace, which was the birthplace of many Scottish royals. You can enjoy being part of a small community as the town has around 16,000 residents. Homes in this area can purchase ultrafast broadband, which has downloads speeds of 1000 Mbps, as well as upload speeds of 50 Mbps.
Aside from being a popular tourist destination, Cornwall also offers a historic port that is ideal for people looking for a cheaper home to work from. Penzance is a seaside town that has an average rent cost of £570 per month, although houses can be expensive to buy in this area. The average house in Penzance is £296,473, which is more than the national average. There’s plenty of historic architecture, as well as glorious beaches for you to take your lunch breaks on. You can also purchase ultrafast broadband in Penzance, which can get broadband speeds of around 330Mbps.
Which locations have the best internet connection?
With an average download speed of 95.1Mbps, Wandsworth in London has one of the best internet connections in the UK. Another London borough, Southwark, has a download speed of 92 Mbps, which places London as a prime location to work from home if you rely on a good internet connection. Kingston upon Hull has a slightly slower internet speed of 73.4 Mbps, although it is estimated that this is the third-fastest speed in the UK.
Harlow and Westminster both have internet download speeds of 72.5 Mbps, which costs around £0.43 per Mbps. Not only is Westminster another area in London, but Harlow is also close by in neighbouring Essex. The close location to the capital is also good if you are commuting to work as well as working remotely.
Unsurprisingly, the islands off the coast of Scotland, such as the Shetland Islands, as well as regions such as Argyll and Bute, all have a poor internet connection and therefore aren’t a good location to base yourself if you need to work online from home.
What equipment should I have if I’m working from home?
It’s imperative that you have a supportive chair to work on from home. This will help your posture so that you don’t damage your back whilst working at a desk. A well-organised office with space for a desk and any other resources you need to complete your work can help you concentrate better and work more efficiently.
Good internet connection is also a necessity for many companies and it’s often worth the investment to buy ultrafast broadband if you feel that the standard speed offered in your area won’t suit your needs. You might also want to consider investing in a high-quality computer or laptop to ensure you can complete your work to a high standard and aren’t compromised by lagging technology.
Whilst you can use your personal mobile phone to take work calls, it may be a good idea to set up a landline in your house if you are permanently working from home. Your company may be able to cover your landline bills as a work expense if you claim for it and offer the receipts as evidence of the amount of money you have spent on the phone.
How can I set up my home study?
Good lighting is a priority for many people when they are trying to find a room in their house to turn into a study. Large windows can let in sunlight and air out the room so that it isn’t too hot and stuffy. It’s also a good idea to pick a room in your house that isn’t near lots of distractions, such as a noisy road outside or a family kitchen where you are likely to hear lots of banging pots and family activity.
However, before you get too excited about setting up a home study in your house for your remote work, be wary of the taxes you might encounter when you come to sell your house. Capital gains tax could be something you have to pay if a section of your house is perceived to be a business premise. You can avoid this tax by making sure that you use the room for other activities, rather than solely work. This means that your study will still count as a room used for leisure and will be exempt from business taxes.
Summary
Choosing a place to live and work from home is down to your personal preferences, but there are a few factors that can assist you in making the decision. Places such as Lymm near Warrington, are secluded spots where rent is relatively cheap and there’s plenty of green spaces to exercise in. On the other hand, you may want to base your choice on internet and broadband speed, especially if your work relies heavily on you completing tasks online.
You can have a study in your home, but be wary of unexpected taxes that you might encounter when you come to sell your house. Whilst it can help to build a good work environment in the present, it’s also a sensible idea to prepare yourself for future costs, such as taxes and additional broadband fees that may occur further down the line.
