Recently, the concept of dual life living has attracted attention. If this new way of living spreads, it may reduce the number of vacant houses and increase the popularity of rural properties. This article forecasts future developments based on examples of dual life.
What is dual life living?
Dual life living refers to a way of living across two locations, one in the city and the other in the countryside, coming and going between the two. Having a second house used to be a privilege, granted only to the rich. However, recently the cost of living near to one’s office has been decreasing due to the growing number of Airbnb-style lodgings and shared houses, the surplus of vacant houses, and the declining prices of local rent.
As a result, not only seniors but also people in their twenties and thirties are enjoying dual life. Whether it’s a single-person household or a family, dual life is becoming a lifestyle that people dream of having.
Cost of dual life and rural living
Even those who feel excited by the prospect of dual life still have many questions. “What do you do?” “What’s the cost?” “What do you actually do in the countryside?” When it comes to dual life, the first people that come to mind are freelancers. Free to work alone, regardless of location or time, this demographic is certainly suited to dual life.
In fact, there are plenty of blogs written by freelance consultants, writers, and affiliates who enjoy dual life. But just because you’re an office worker, doesn’t mean that you can’t have a dual life. One option is to combine employee life with family life by working five days a week in the city and spending weekends in the countryside.
There are no rules for dual lifestyle. There are many types of dual life, such as those who live in the country only on weekends, those who travel by season and those who go to Tokyo for only one week every month. One disadvantage of dual life is most definitely the expense. However, by using a guest house or a shared house, you can reduce the cost of staying.
In addition, there are many people who say that they manage unexpectedly well when they calculate the cost thanks to the decreasing price of local rentals. People living a dual life experience new ways of living in their countryside residences. Some people build their own houses and enjoy gardening in a spacious environment, while others live in Kyoto and Okinawa for sightseeing. If looking for an environment for raising children, you can choose a region with a lot of nature or a region with a strong community feeling.
In order to live a comfortable dual life, it is important to choose a location and build relationships there. It is a good idea to have a trial period of a few weeks before making a commitment. If you choose the right place for you, you can achieve your ideal life.
Will dual life help prevent vacant houses and revitalise local communities?
Over-population in Tokyo has long been considered a problem, and the national government has focused on revitalising regional economies to attempt to disperse the urban community. In addition, people who work in urban areas are increasingly longing to move to rural areas. Against this backdrop, the popularity of dual life is expected to continue to grow. The term “Dualer” has become one of Recruit’s 2019 trend keywords.
As people who live a dual life actively communicate through blogs and social media, there is a possibility that unexpected regions will receive attention. The rise of dual life brings new possibilities to rural areas. Unoccupied houses, which have become a social problem, may receive new occupants thanks to the spread of dual life. Rents are also expected to rise due to increased demand for local properties.
But it is not only local governments who will benefit from the influx of dualers renting previously vacant properties, the expanding wave of dual life is also a great opportunity for real estate investors.
