STARING at the same four walls during the Covid lockdown has some North-East residents desperate for change, with Zoopla revealing the region's city-dwellers are looking to move.

Lockdown has made some North-East residents eager to find themselves a new home a move, research from property site Zoopla reveals, almost two thirds (68 per cent) of people living in Newcastle saying they want to move to a new home.

The data,, which studies the impact of lockdown restrictions on the views of homeowners in Newcastle towards their current property, also reveals how our personal has become our office space. 

This is driven demand for extra space, with almost one third (32 per cent) of homeowners saying they will continue to work from home when restrictions are lifted.

This need for space extends to both the indoors and outdoors, with people in Newcastle on the hunt for homes with gardens. 

The website revealed six of the ten most-searched-for terms by property hunters in Newcastle during 2020 related to increased indoor and outdoor space. 

While lockdown has been tough for many people, the lack of a commute is not so hard to get on board with, with people saving both time and money.

The research shows that over half (54 per cent) of Newcastle homeowners have saved more than £50 per month on travel costs during lockdown, while one in 10 (10 per cent) is saving more than £100 per month.

Michael Mortimer, Managing Director at Hive Estates, an estate agency in Newcastle, said: “There’s no question that lockdown has really dialled up the desire for Newcastle homeowners to find a new property. In many regards, lockdown has unleashed latent demand for more space across the city.

“Whether it’s looking for additional space for a home office, a bigger garden for family time or an annexe for a child to return home or a parent to move in, the desire for new property has skyrocketed since April 2020.

"We expect this trend to continue as lockdown restrictions look set to stay in place for the next few months.”

Gráinne Gilmore, Head of Research at Zoopla comments: “With the daily commute looking very different for many and all but gone for almost 50 per cent of homeowners in Newcastle, it opens opportunities for homeowners to reassess their property needs, and also their location.

"This is driving an increased desire to move. The savings on offer from less frequent commuting for work can also transform people's budgets, meaning some homeowners may be able to afford a bigger move than pre-lockdown, further propelling their dream of finding a new home.”  

Under coronavirus restrictions, you are still allowed to move house.