08 May 2026

Can you have the best of both?

Can you have the best of both? Working in the city, living in the countryside

For many buyers, one question has become increasingly important: Do you really have to choose between career opportunities and quality of life?

In 2026, the answer is no. A relatively recent shift in how and where we work has opened up new possibilities, allowing people to rethink what they want from both their home and their location.

Hybrid working, once a short-term adjustment, is now a long-term reality. Today, around 41% of UK adults work from home at least some of the time, with 28% working in a hybrid way (Finder, 2025), splitting their time between home and the office. As a result, buyers are no longer tied to daily commutes in the same way, but they are still looking to remain connected.

Across the South West, this shift is reshaping what people value, not just in terms of space, but in how a home supports both their professional and personal lives.

A new way of living, not fully remote

While flexible working has created new freedom, it hasn’t removed the importance of the workplace altogether.

For many professionals, being within reach of key cities such as Bristol, Bath and London still matters. Office days, meetings and collaboration remain an important part of working life, even if they no longer happen five days a week.

This means buyers are not simply moving as far away as possible. Instead, they are choosing locations that offer a careful balance: somewhere more spacious and relaxed, while still keeping them well connected when it counts.

The rise of the part-time commute

With many people now working from home for part of the week, commuting patterns have changed significantly.

Rather than travelling every day, workers are making fewer, more purposeful journeys into the office. This has made slightly longer commutes more manageable, and, for many, worthwhile, in exchange for a better quality of life at home.

At the same time, connectivity remains essential. Buyers are prioritising locations with reliable transport links and access to employment hubs, ensuring they can maintain flexibility without adding unnecessary pressure to their working week.

Well-connected living across the South West

What this looks like in practice is a growing demand for homes that offer both space and strong connections to nearby cities, and, importantly, to London.

In towns such as Chippenham, residents can reach both Bristol and London in around 45 minutes by train, making it a realistic option for hybrid commuters. At Lackham Place, this level of connectivity is supported by practical transport links, with the M4 and Chippenham station both around a 12-minute drive away, offering direct rail services into the capital.

Similarly, Zephyr Place combines countryside surroundings with accessibility. The development is within easy reach of the M4, while Chippenham station, around a 30-minute drive, provides direct connections to London, alongside routes into Bath and Bristol.

Elsewhere, developments continue to reflect this balance. At Nup End Meadow, the M5 is approximately a 20-minute drive away, along with Gloucester station, which offers direct trains to London, making it well-suited to those who need reliable, occasional access to the city.

In the south of the region, Gascoigne Park benefits from proximity to Sherborne, just a five-minute drive away, where direct rail services to London are available. Locations such as The Carriages in Castle Cary also offer convenient road access to Bath and Bristol within around an hour.

Across all of these locations, a clear pattern emerges: buyers no longer need to choose between countryside living and connectivity. With strong road networks and direct rail links within easy reach, it’s possible to enjoy a quieter setting while staying fully connected when it matters.

More than just space, the right kind of space

The shift towards hybrid working has changed what buyers need from their homes. It’s no longer just about having more space but having space that works harder.

At Redcliffe Homes, properties are designed with this flexibility in mind. Many homes include additional bedrooms or dedicated studies that can easily adapt into comfortable workspaces, alongside layouts that support both productivity and everyday living.

Thoughtfully designed green spaces and landscaped surroundings also give residents the opportunity to step outside, get fresh air and reset during the day, an increasingly important part of maintaining balance when working from home.

A better balance, without losing connection

One of the biggest advantages of this way of living is the ability to achieve a better balance.

Living in the countryside or in a well-connected town offers access to green space, quieter surroundings and a stronger sense of community. At the same time, staying within reach of the city ensures that careers, culture and social opportunities remain accessible.

For many buyers, it’s not about choosing one over the other; it’s about combining both in a way that feels sustainable long term.

What today’s buyers are looking for

As working patterns continue to evolve, buyer priorities are becoming clearer.

With the average UK commuter spending over eight days a year travelling (Finder, 2025), many are now actively seeking:

• Flexible space for home working

• Well-connected locations within reach of cities

• Access to countryside and outdoor space

• Energy-efficient homes with lower running costs

This reflects a more considered approach to moving, where lifestyle and long-term wellbeing are just as important as convenience.

Why the South West stands out

The South West is particularly well-suited to this way of living.

With its mix of vibrant cities, accessible towns and outstanding countryside, the region offers a natural balance between connectivity and quality of life. Buyers can enjoy quieter surroundings during the week, while still having the option to travel into the city when needed.

It’s this combination, flexibility without isolation, that continues to draw people to the region.

Looking ahead

Hybrid working may have accelerated in recent years, but it is now firmly embedded in how many industries operate.

As a result, demand is growing for homes that support both home working and part-time commuting. Buyers are no longer asking whether they can work from home; they are asking where they can live best while doing so.

Discover the balance with Redcliffe Homes

At Redcliffe Homes, we understand that modern living requires flexibility.

Our homes are carefully designed to reflect how people live today, offering thoughtful layouts, energy efficiency and well-connected locations across the South West.

If you’re looking to balance city working with countryside living, now could be the perfect time to make your move.

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