For a few short years, Canadians enjoyed the freedom to work from anywhere—at the cottage, in a cheaper suburb, or even another province. But the hybrid work honeymoon may be ending. Increasingly, professionals across Canada are reconsidering where they live—not based on schools, space, or scenery—but on how long it takes to get to the office.
This return-to-office ripple effect is creating a new wave of micro-relocations, especially in cities like Vancouver, where commute times are back on the rise and corporate mandates are tightening.
And according to moving companies on the ground, the shift is happening quietly—but quickly.
The New Geography of “Close Enough”
Hybrid doesn’t mean remote. Many employers now expect 2–3 office days per week, which turns a scenic 90-minute commute from Squamish into a non-starter.
The result? Office workers are moving back toward downtown cores—but not all the way in. They’re settling into commute-adjacent suburbs like Burnaby, Richmond, and parts of Surrey, where they can split the difference between affordability and accessibility.
And these moves aren’t cross-country. In many cases, they’re under 25 km—short hops with major lifestyle impact.
Quick & Easy Moving, a British Columbia–based moving company, has seen a notable uptick in inner-regional moves, particularly those tied to new job starts or return-to-office requirements. Their teams report a higher percentage of midweek, short-notice bookings as professionals react quickly to schedule changes.
If you're considering such a move, it's worth checking out their full-service relocation offering that’s become popular with commuters looking to minimise disruption: Quick & Easy Moving.
Back to the Office... Back to the Move
According to a 2023 Angus Reid report, 58% of Canadian workers expected to be back in the office at least part-time by mid-2024. The reality? Many employers are enforcing it sooner and more strictly than anticipated.
Industries like law, finance, tech, and public administration are leading the charge, with “anchor days” becoming standard. For many employees, that’s translated into frustration over long drives, unreliable transit, and mismatched schedules.
Cue the proximity move—not to the exact block, but to a smarter zone:
- Near a SkyTrain station
- Close to bike-friendly corridors
- Within 30–40 minutes of the HQ but still livable
And because these are often fully-furnished or short-term rentals, customers are opting for professional packing and transport, rather than making multiple DIY trips.
The Emotional Layer of Local Relocations
These moves aren’t always celebrated. Some employees feel forced to trade space or affordability for proximity. Couples who stretched financially to buy in exurbs during the remote work boom are now grappling with difficult decisions.
“I never thought I’d move back near the office,” one customer told Quick & Easy Moving’s crew during a weekday job in Surrey. “But I realized I was spending more time in the car than with my kids.”
For movers, this shift means:
- Shorter-distance jobs
- More weekday bookings
- Smaller loads but higher frequency
- Greater demand for flexibility and last-minute support
Where Are People Moving?
Here’s what the data from local moving companies suggests:
- Vancouver residentsare relocating from far-flung areas like Langley or Abbotsford back into Burnaby, East Van, and New Westminster.
- Surreyhas seen a rise in professionals returning from Fraser Valley to places like Fleetwood or Guildford, which are better connected by transit.
- Downtownis back in demand for child-free professionals and corporate lease clients.
To see what moving within the region looks like for working professionals, check out Quick & Easy’s dedicated service page: Surrey furniture moving.
It’s Not Just About Distance, It’s About Control
What is the number one request movers are seeing? Predictability. People want:
- Exact pickup and delivery times
- Transparent pricing (no hidden weekday surcharges)
- Help with boxes, packing, and setup so they can focus on starting new routines.
Quick & Easy Moving has responded with options like:
- Full-day availability slots
- Guaranteed arrival windows
- Custom packing and unpacking
- Volume-based pricing tools (without the guesswork)
In an era of back-to-back meetings, school pickups, and renewed commutes, having a moving company that works around your schedule (not just within theirs) makes all the difference.
