Survey also reveals that Canadians are more hopeful than realistic when purchasing their first home
One in three Canadians are considering relocating because of the COVID-19 pandemic – and many are thinking of moving to a rural or semi-rural location, according to a recent survey.
The national survey, conducted between March 15 and 23, 2021, for Aviva Canada by Leger Canada, asked over 2,000 Canadians across the country about their lives and aspirations relating to current and post COVID-19 habits.
Read more: Canadians' opinions toward home price movements vary significantly – poll
The report revealed that 31% of respondents said they are considering relocating as a result of the pandemic, with over one third of these considering moving to a semi-rural or rural location.
Additionally, the survey found that the need to find an affordable home was the number one driving force behind unexpected buying (29%) and selling (25%) of homes or starting a new, unplanned rental tenancy (29%) during the pandemic.
Canadians are also more hopeful than realistic when it comes to purchasing their first home, with 54% of respondents indicating their plans to buy, sell, or move had been delayed by at least a year.
“The past year has been one like no other, with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to be felt across the world, in our communities, and our homes,” said Phil Gibson, managing director, personal insurance and data science at Aviva Canada. “While we’ll undoubtedly feel the impacts of COVID-19 for many years to come, what stands out to me as one of the greatest moments of these unprecedented times is how resourceful Canadians have been in the face of adversity.”
