Kraków residents consider moving to suburbs amid urban flight trends

A recent report titled ‘To my. Lokalnie 2026’, prepared by Nieruchomosci-online.pl in collaboration with the Institute for Urban and Regional Development, reveals a growing trend of urban residents considering relocation to rural or suburban areas.

In Kraków, 32% of residents are considering moving outside the city. This trend is even more pronounced in Gdańsk (44%), Kielce (39%), and Zielona Góra (37%), while Warsaw shows a lower rate of 25%. Most residents do not intend to move to remote areas but rather to suburban municipalities within the same agglomeration to maintain access to urban amenities.

Key drivers for this shift include the rise of remote and hybrid work, the desire for peace and greenery, and lower real estate costs. However, experts warn that rapid demographic shifts toward suburban areas could strain local infrastructure, including roads, schools, water supply systems, and public transport, if development does not keep pace with new housing.