As remote and hybrid work reshape employment after COVID-19, some New Yorkers are reconsidering whether they need to live near the office — or whether a quieter, more spacious home outside the city makes better financial sense.
NEW YORK — November 2026 — For decades, living close to New York City was a practical necessity for many professionals. Whether working in Manhattan, commuting from the suburbs, or pursuing careers in finance, technology, marketing, and other industries, proximity to major employment centers often influenced where people chose to live.
But the COVID-19 pandemic changed how millions of Americans work, and some of those changes have continued long after offices reopened.
With remote and hybrid employment now established in many industries, renting a house in rural New York may offer an increasingly attractive alternative to living in one of the country’s most expensive metropolitan areas.
Communities throughout the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and other parts of upstate New York offer something that can be difficult to find in New York City: larger homes, private yards, quieter neighborhoods, and additional space for home offices.
However, moving outside the city also introduces new considerations, including transportation, heating costs, internet connectivity, and access to employment opportunities.
How COVID-19 Changed Where Americans Can Work
Before 2020, many employees were expected to report to a physical workplace five days a week. Working remotely was available in certain professions, but it was far less common.
When COVID-19 forced businesses to change their operations, employers across the country began using video conferencing, cloud-based software, and online collaboration platforms to keep employees connected.
For some organizations, these changes became permanent.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 13.8% of American workers usually worked from home in 2023, compared with 5.7% in 2019.
New York experienced a similar shift.
The New York State Comptroller reported that 11.4% of employed New Yorkers worked primarily from home in 2024, compared with just 4.7% in 2019.
Although remote work has declined from its pandemic-era peak, it remains considerably more common than before COVID-19.
A 2026 analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis also found that nearly 22% of American workers worked from home at least some of the time in 2025.
These developments have given certain workers more flexibility when deciding where to live.
More Professions Are No Longer Tied to a Traditional Office
One of the biggest changes since the pandemic has been the expansion of remote and hybrid work across different professional fields.
Jobs that previously required regular office attendance can now sometimes be performed from a home office, provided employees have reliable internet access and appropriate equipment.
Professions with opportunities for remote or hybrid employment include:
- Software development and information technology
- Accounting, bookkeeping, and financial services
- Marketing, advertising, and public relations
- Journalism, writing, and digital publishing
- Graphic design and creative services
- Insurance and certain administrative positions
- Consulting, project management, and business operations
- Customer service and technical support
Even within office-based professions, some employers have increased attendance requirements.
A March 2025 survey by the Partnership for New York City found that 69% of surveyed major Manhattan employers had hybrid office policies, while only 10% required employees to attend the office every weekday.
For workers who only need to commute once or twice a week, living farther from Manhattan may become more realistic.
Someone who previously needed to live within a short train ride of the office might now consider buying a house an hour or two away, depending on the employer’s policies and their tolerance for commuting.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent or Own Outside New York City?
Housing costs are one of the biggest reasons someone might consider leaving an urban environment.
New York City offers extensive employment opportunities, entertainment, restaurants, and public transportation. However, renters often pay a premium for location and convenience.
Outside the metropolitan core, renters may find properties offering additional bedrooms, parking, outdoor space, and more privacy.
For example, Zillow rental market data updated October 14, 2026, placed the average asking rent in Catskill, New York, at approximately $2,002 per month across all listed property types and bedroom counts.
Meanwhile, RentCafe reported an average apartment rent of approximately $2,669 across its defined Hudson Valley market as of September 2026.
These figures are not directly comparable because they cover different geographic areas and property types. Nevertheless, they illustrate the range of housing costs outside New York City.
A renter considering a move should compare actual houses of similar size rather than relying only on regional averages.
Renting a three-bedroom house in a rural community may offer more usable space than a smaller city apartment, but that does not guarantee a lower overall cost of living.
In addition, some desirable Hudson Valley communities have experienced substantial housing demand, meaning rural living is not necessarily inexpensive.
The Appeal of Renting a House Instead of an Apartment
For someone working from home several days a week, living space can become more important than it was before the pandemic.
A one-bedroom apartment may be comfortable for someone who spends most weekdays in an office. But when that same apartment becomes a full-time workplace, the experience can be different.
Renting a house may offer room for a dedicated office, a separate living area, additional storage, and outdoor recreation.
Some renters may also appreciate having their own driveway, garage, or yard.
For families, larger properties can provide additional space for children, pets, and household activities.
Others may simply prefer a quieter environment with fewer neighbors and less traffic.
Rural communities can also offer access to hiking, cycling, fishing, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
For professionals who spend most of their working hours on a computer, the ability to finish the workday and enjoy outdoor space may be a meaningful lifestyle benefit.
The Hudson Valley and Catskills Offer Different Living Options
Not every community outside New York City offers the same experience.
Places such as Beacon, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Hudson, and Catskill provide different combinations of housing, transportation, restaurants, and local amenities.
Beacon and Poughkeepsie have Metro-North connections that can be useful for commuters traveling toward New York City.
Kingston and Catskill offer access to the Hudson Valley and Catskills region, but residents generally depend more heavily on personal vehicles.
Farther north and west, smaller communities may offer greater privacy and more rural surroundings, although employment opportunities and transportation options can become more limited.
The right location depends largely on how often someone needs to travel, whether they own a vehicle, and how much access they want to shopping, healthcare, entertainment, and other services.
Commuting Costs Can Change the Financial Equation
One of the most important questions for anyone considering rural living is how often they will need to return to the city.
A fully remote employee may have considerable flexibility. Someone who must attend a Manhattan office three or four days per week faces a different situation.
For example, consider a hypothetical renter who saves $800 per month by moving outside New York City.
That represents $9,600 in annual rent savings.
However, the savings could be reduced by:
- Vehicle payments and insurance
- Gasoline, tolls, and parking
- Train tickets and station parking
- Additional vehicle maintenance
- Increased home heating and utility costs
- Time spent commuting
Someone traveling to Manhattan only a few times each month might find the arrangement financially attractive.
Someone commuting daily could discover that transportation costs and travel time outweigh the difference in rent.
For that reason, renters should calculate their total monthly expenses rather than comparing rental prices alone.
Rural Living Has Its Own Hidden Expenses
Although rural New York can provide more space and privacy, there are expenses that city renters may not regularly encounter.
Heating is one example.
Some rural homes use heating oil, propane, or electric heating systems that can become expensive during Northeast winters.
Older houses may also have poor insulation, increasing utility bills.
A renter accustomed to having heat included in a New York City apartment lease may need to budget separately for these expenses.
Internet service is another consideration.
For remote employees, a reliable connection is essential. Before signing a lease, prospective renters should verify which internet providers serve the specific property and whether the connection supports video meetings, file transfers, and other work requirements.
Other considerations include snow removal, lawn maintenance, grocery shopping distances, and access to emergency services.
In some locations, owning a reliable vehicle is practically necessary.
Could Remote Work Help Revitalize Smaller New York Communities?
The expansion of remote employment may also create opportunities for smaller towns.
Residents who earn income from employers outside their immediate communities can spend money locally on groceries, restaurants, home services, and entertainment.
In theory, this can help support small businesses in communities with fewer large employers.
Remote workers may also become involved in local organizations, volunteer groups, and community activities.
However, an influx of higher-income residents can create challenges.
In communities with limited housing availability, additional demand may contribute to higher rents and make it more difficult for longtime residents to find affordable homes.
Local governments and business owners therefore face the challenge of encouraging economic development while maintaining housing accessibility.
Is the Remote Work Trend Here to Stay?
Despite the growth of remote employment, the future of workplace flexibility remains uncertain.
Some employers have increased office attendance requirements, particularly in industries where in-person collaboration is considered important.
Others continue to embrace hybrid arrangements.
Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis suggests that remote work has remained relatively stable in recent years, even as companies have announced return-to-office policies.
This indicates that remote employment is no longer simply a temporary response to the pandemic.
Still, workers considering a long-term move should evaluate whether their current employment arrangement is secure and what would happen if they changed jobs.
A house located two hours from Manhattan may be practical for a fully remote employee today, but less convenient if their next position requires daily office attendance.
Is Renting in Rural New York Worth It in 2026?
Ultimately, the decision depends on personal priorities.
For someone who values restaurants, nightlife, public transportation, and proximity to major employers, New York City may remain the better choice.
For someone who works remotely, prefers a quieter environment, and wants more living space, rural New York may provide an appealing alternative.
The growth of remote and hybrid work since COVID-19 has expanded the range of housing options available to certain professionals.
Living near a major office building is no longer a requirement for every employee.
And as housing costs continue to influence where Americans choose to live, the question may become less about how close someone lives to their workplace and more about what kind of lifestyle their income and employment flexibility can support.
For some New Yorkers, that could mean trading a city apartment for a house in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, or another rural community.
Presence News wants to hear from readers: Have you moved from New York City to a smaller town or rural community since the pandemic? Are you working remotely or commuting fewer days each week? Has the move saved you money, or have transportation and other expenses offset the savings?
Share your experience with Presence News at https://presencenews.org/submit-content or email a story to editor@presencenews.org
Sources
- New York State Comptroller — Rate of New Yorkers Working from Home More Than Doubled Since 2019
- U.S. Census Bureau — New Data Show Detailed Characteristics of Home-Based Workers
- Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis — Is Remote Work Declining? What the Latest Data Show
- Partnership for New York City — March 2025 Return-to-Office Survey
- Zillow — Catskill, New York Rental Market
- RentCafe — Hudson Valley Rental Market Trends