Work-Life Balance

Advances in technology have resulted in an ‘always on’ work culture and, combined with the daily commute, and other responsibilities such as childcare, household chores and ‘life admin’, there is little time for recreation and rest.

However, a lot has changed since the 12th of March, when An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced measures to tackle the Covid-19 crisis. 

As we enter week 8 of lockdown - and the frustration of being cooped-up at home takes toll - it is worth reflecting on the unexpectedly positive impact these measures have had on our work-life balance.

A recent survey by Savills and Pinergy revealed that, since mid-March, energy consumption is down by 30% in the morning and up to 20% in the evening, suggesting that we’re getting out of bed later - thus getting more sleep - and finishing work earlier, allowing more time for recreation - albeit within the confines of a 2km radius.

I live in Wicklow - the garden of Ireland - where a 2km radius from home comprises rivers, forests, hills and mountains, not to mention fresh country air.

This luxury - often taken for granted - jogged memories of when I rented a unit in an older apartment block in Dublin back in the early noughties. It had no recreational space or additional services which, at times like these, are so important. Like most tenants in the block, I didn’t know my neighbours, because there wasn’t the opportunity to get to know them.

However, over the past 10 years, the rental market in Ireland has been totally transformed. This is because today’s renter wants more than just a space to live, they want a lifestyle, and to be part of a community. And so, professional landlords - so often on the receiving end of unfair criticism - have responded to this.

A Sense of Community

Today, in many modern city centre apartment blocks – and in older upgraded stock – lifestyle amenities such as gyms, cinema rooms, business pods, meeting spaces - in addition to services such as dry cleaning collection and delivery - have become the norm.

Moreover, the hosting of on-site social occasions for residents are now commonplace, in modern and older developments, with quiz nights, wine tasting, mother and toddler groups - and other such events - providing an opportunity for neighbours to meet and mix.

This new trend has never been more apparent than over the past 7 weeks, where social media has been set alight with videos and images of residents throughout the country enjoying live music, balcony bingo, flashmob-style dance routines - and various other events and entertainment - that has brought communities within apartment developments closer together.

In the rental sector, the COVID-19 crisis has shone a spotlight on the importance of community and togetherness at a time where spirits need to be lifted. The evolution of the sector in Ireland is facilitating this and, for many long-term renters, has become one of the key decisions when choosing where to live. Post COVID-19, this is something I believe will become even more apparent.

Clarie Neary is Director of Residential Management & Lettings at Savills Ireland