The M25 Report: Where do people want to live AND work in the South East region?
When deciding to relocate, modern leaders must weigh up their employees’ needs alongside those of the company and clients. Knight Frank Research analyses which M25 and South East towns excel in a range of measures spanning lifestyle, internet connectivity, housing affordability and prospects for economic growth.
2 minutes to read
Office occupiers must weigh up myriad factors when choosing a new office location. Beyond the availability of suitable, high-quality office space, the ability to retain and attract top talent is paramount.
How companies go about this differs depending on the profile of employees, but choosing the right location will ensure staff can optimise their quality of life at the office and at home.
Work-life balance is now seen as critical to productivity. Knight Frank has analysed the strengths of the M25 report’s 18 markets against 11 key metrics.
Using geospatial analysis of surrounding educational facilities, data on housing affordability, economic growth forecasts, availability of skilled workers and much more, the report seeks to shine a light on each of the towns' unique attributes in a bid to help decision-makers weighing an office move. In most cases data is taken from a 30-minute drive time from the centre of each town.
"Work-life balance is now seen as critical to productivity. Knight Frank has analysed the strengths of the M25 report’s 18 markets against 11 key metrics."
Where more suitable, data is taken at local authority level. Where centres score in the top third for any metric they are highlighted blue. Where they score in the middle third they are highlighted orange.
Inevitably, some have more strengths than others, but whether they are right for tomorrow’s staff will depend on the needs of a given business. Oxford, for example, scores in the top third in the most metrics, with eight.
The city has excellent retail facilities, is in close proximity to the UK's top rated university and has superb internet speeds. However, one of its close competitors, Reading, in third place with six metrics in the top tier, has superior rental affordability and shorter commute.
For more information on any of the points raised in the report contact our dedicated M25 and South East Offices team headed by Emma Goodford.
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We can help you find the perfect office space. Visit Knightfrank.co.uk/office-space for flexible office space for businesses of all sizes.