Does having a WFH job make finding housing harder in this area?

I have heard that some people find roommates who WFH less desirable since they are home 24/7, and of course you also need to find a place with a bedroom big enough for a desk and computer monitor. There is a strong possibility I'd move if I work from home, but may stay in nova for a year or two due to the possibility of going to NVCC before moving to a larger city that's less sprawly.

Those that WFH or have a hybrid schedule, do you have more difficulty moving or finding roommates?

in novaby MajesticBread9147Herndon

83%

Wurm42

It's not a problem if you can work in your room, your private space.

On the other hand, if you expect to take over the kitchen table all day, every workday, that's a problem.

SI7Agent0

I wouldn't say it's more difficult to find housing. Not wanting people at home is a personal preference thing that most people with roommates have made peace with tbh. You're just going to be paying a shit ton for rent when you could move to somewhere with a lower cost of living and get more bang for your buck if your job is fully remote. If I was full remote, I'd get the hell out of this area for sure.

TrustMeIAmAGeologist

Reston

If you can work from home, get out of this area. There’s so many more affordable places with community colleges you can go to. The median household income in NoVA is $140k, compared to the national average of $75k. That means housing here is priced with that in mind. Even if you absolutely love the area and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else, move outside of the commuting zone. Check out Fredericksburg or even Richmond.

WFH means you can make the NOVA salary and not pay the NOVA CoL. Take advantage of that.

MajesticBread9147

Herndon

True, long term I plan on moving out and going to Newark or Queens. Better value for dollar, better transit, more jobs, and more population density for the price.

TrustMeIAmAGeologist

Reston

Jersey city is pretty good. I have a friend there who left queens (which has also gotten expensive) and has one bus and a train to work in Manhattan and he loves it. Rents a two bedroom for less than 2k and still has everything in walking distance and doesn’t need a car

agbishop

My daughter and her roommate are both WFH. They just picked a 2BR/2Bath apartment floorplan where both can have desks in their rooms and the rooms aren’t next to each other (helpful when on streamed meetings)

And when they need a break from the desk, there’s the shared living area and balcony. Plus this apartment also has co-working spaces in the lobby.

laminatedbean

Once you accept to have a roommate, you don’t get to dictate how often they are at home. They are paying rent just as you are.

Regarding WFH space, some people only need their laptop. Other people need multiple monitors. It really differs.

This_Beat2227

OP - don’t take this attitude and instead keep the one you started with ! It’s important for WFH that everyone in the household is onboard and compatible. Nothing worse than having both home and work environments messed up !

PeanutterButter101

The problem is when a roommate leaves then you suddenly have a new one. It's impossible to be on board 100% of the time when the only person vetting is the landlord and they're only looking at someone's ability to pay rent.

peakingpanda98

The only real issue I had was finding something affordable. I moved up here from NC to be near family and down there I could easily afford my own place with my pay. Here I had to get a room mate yet I’m paying the same amount in rent.

fragileblink

Fairfax County

One thing to note is that newer buildings are putting in workspaces for people that work from home.

madmoneymcgee

I figure if anything it makes things more flexible because you don’t have to worry about commute so much.

kirils9692

No it makes it easier because you don’t have to account for a commute when choosing housing.

blackierobinsun3

I’d live a Fredericksburg

PeanutterButter101

I grew up there. It has it's appeal but I'd never move back.

turbowhitey

Wife and I both got fully remote positions, we’re outta here baby. Saving $500 a month just in child care.

labicicletagirl

I haven’t looked for housing since the pandemic, but I can tell you having a WFH roommate is pretty annoying. I would never willingly move in with someone who had a WFH schedule unless they promised to be gone every weekend. My roommate has no social life and never goes to the gym, and refuses to help around the house. He’s become extremely lazy and paranoid and uses up the most energy in the house. It all depends on the person but he definitely went out more when he had to go to work.

Helpjuice

-2

Moving is easy, finding roommates is only needed if you actually own the place as it's their responsibility to make sure enough people are there to pay the mortgage and make a profit.

In terms of ease, you should really only have a bed, desk, maybe a couch but very minimal that can fit in a small bedroom. This is always easy to move and can normally be done in an evening if needed along if your a regular fit person, or you may need help if your not very strong, very fit, and mechanically troubled (e.g., cannot break down a desk, bed, couch on your own quickly and need help).