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

Resource context

“Housing for highly mobile transnational professionals: evolving forms of housing practices in Moscow and London” is a research paper by Sabina Maslova, published in the journal Mobilities. The study examines how high-skilled, middle-income transnational professionals organise housing under conditions of temporality and frequent cross-border mobility, focusing on London and Moscow as contrasting global-city contexts.

Study focus and approach

The paper argues that most urban housing forms are designed for settled populations and therefore poorly meet the needs of highly mobile groups. It addresses a research gap in migration and housing studies by analysing demand-side pressures created by “middling” transnational professionals (distinct from higher-income transnational elites). Empirically, the study draws on 65 semi-structured interviews with migrants from Western countries (33 in Moscow, 32 in London), supported by participant observation conducted in 2017–18. Interviewees were typically aged 24–52, often without children, and worked in roles such as consultants, analysts, entrepreneurs, lawyers, editors, designers, and teachers.

Key driver 1: economic flexibility and cost management

A central finding is that the need for economic flexibility pushes many respondents toward shared housing rather than individual renting, even though they are often perceived as “privileged” migrants. Housing costs are a major constraint: London’s average rent is cited at £1,596 per month in 2020 (double the UK national average), while Moscow rents are described as unaffordable relative to other Russian cities, with Western-style apartments commonly costing 90,000–130,000 RUB per month. House-sharing and subletting are used to reduce costs, afford central locations, and manage multi-local obligations (including travel and maintaining ties elsewhere). In Moscow, some interviewees reported being treated as able to pay above-market rates due to assumptions about foreigners’ income.

Key driver 2: temporal limitations and job-related mobility

Time constraints and employment mobility shape housing choices and tenure patterns. Many professionals cannot commit to standard 6–12 month rental contracts and instead seek short-term, flexible arrangements. The study describes sublets (often 1–3 months) that allow a main tenant to keep a home while away for projects or travel, while enabling incoming professionals to avoid hotels or longer searches. In London, respondents also described weekday-only arrangements (e.g., “Monday-to-Friday” sublets) linked to long-distance commuting patterns. Some professionals maintain dual arrangements across countries, while others prefer hotels for extended projects because of services and loyalty points.

Key driver 3: comfort, amenities, and housing design needs

Beyond affordability and flexibility, interviewees emphasised physical and functional comfort: adequate indoor space, workable shared layouts, and proximity to amenities such as shops, cafés, gyms, and transport—particularly valued when travel reduces time available for local commuting. A specific design preference mentioned is separate bathrooms in shared housing, which is more commonly available in newer developments (e.g., around Canary Wharf in London). In Moscow, respondents expressed dissatisfaction with rental supply quality and informality (including cash rent payments). A notable Moscow-specific practice is the “inheritance” of flats within expatriate networks, where apartments circulate among foreigners to ensure known standards and trusted arrangements.

Implications for housing systems and future research

The paper concludes that highly mobile transnational professionals produce distinct housing demands shaped by (1) economic constraints, (2) temporality across the life course and work patterns, and (3) expectations for comfort and amenity access. It calls for more research on housing sub-markets and contractual forms that might better serve this group, including the potential role of co-living models offering short-term leases and community features. The study also highlights how concepts of “home” shift under multi-local and “dwelling-on-the-move” lifestyles, affecting housing expectations in global cities.