Housing for highly mobile transnational professionals: evolving forms of housing practices in Moscow and London

The resource titled "Housing for highly mobile transnational professionals: evolving forms of housing practices in Moscow and London" is published in the journal Mobilities by Sabina Maslova. The paper investigates the housing practices of high-skilled transnational professionals in Moscow and London, highlighting the inadequacies of traditional housing markets in addressing the needs of mobile populations.

The study is based on 65 semi-structured interviews with migrants from Western countries in Moscow and London. It identifies three key factors influencing the housing demands of this group: economic flexibility, temporal limitations, and the need for physical and functional comfort. The research emphasizes that most housing forms are designed for settled populations, leaving mobile professionals with limited options.

The first factor identified is the need for economic flexibility, which leads many professionals to prefer shared housing arrangements over individual rentals. This choice is driven by the high costs of living in both cities, particularly London, where the average rent was £1,596 per month in 2020, double the national average. In Moscow, rental prices are also high, with Western-style apartments costing between 90,000 and 130,000 RUB per month. The study reveals that many middle-class migrants are adapting traditional housing practices to better suit their economic realities.

The second factor is the temporal nature of many high-skilled professionals' living arrangements. Due to job-related mobility, these individuals often require flexible housing solutions that accommodate shorter stays. The interviews highlighted a trend toward subletting and house-sharing, with many professionals utilizing informal arrangements that allow them to maintain housing while traveling for work. The need for flexibility in rental agreements is crucial, as many migrants cannot commit to long-term contracts.

Lastly, the study discusses the requirements for physical and functional comfort in housing. Many respondents expressed a desire for adequate indoor space, separate bathrooms in shared accommodations, and proximity to amenities such as shops and gyms. This reflects a growing trend among high-skilled transnational migrants to seek out housing that meets their lifestyle needs, even if it means adapting traditional housing forms. The concept of "inherited flats" was also noted, where suitable housing circulates within expatriate communities, ensuring quality and trust in living arrangements.

The findings indicate that the housing market must adapt to the evolving needs of mobile professionals. As transnational migration continues to shape urban landscapes in cities like London and Moscow, there is a growing need for flexible and sustainable housing solutions. The paper calls for further research into how housing markets can better serve this demographic, particularly in light of recent global events that have shifted work patterns and increased the importance of remote living. In conclusion, Maslova's study sheds light on the complex housing needs of highly mobile professionals in global cities. By identifying the economic, temporal, and comfort-related factors influencing their housing choices, the research emphasizes the necessity for adaptable and sustainable housing practices that align with the realities of modern transnational living.