Recent findings from Yandex Rent reveal a striking pattern among Moscow residents: roughly 69% spend 1–2 hours or more commuting to work or study. In practical terms, many people are on the road for two to four hours daily, sometimes longer, before they even start the day’s activities.
Izvestia quoted the researchers, noting that about half of these commuters view the time spent traveling as a problem and would welcome ways to shrink it. Yet a majority, 61%, are not open to relocating their homes just to shorten their commutes.
Relocating can sometimes help, but renting near the workplace often carries a higher monthly cost than living farther away in a more distant neighborhood, according to 25% of respondents. Another 24% explained that the routes available to them simply aren’t convenient enough, regardless of location. Meanwhile, 18% prefer not to deal with the hassle of moving, and 15% even report spending the whole week apart from their families.
Interestingly, 40% of those surveyed say they love their current neighborhood and do not want to leave it. On the flip side, another 40% express a willingness to move, and 21% would consider relocating to another city altogether.
There is a clear message in these results: the burden of long commutes is not always solved by moving. Employers and city planners can play a role in reducing travel time through smarter work arrangements, transportation options, and urban design—without forcing people to abandon their homes and communities. A practical shift that has gained attention involves flexible work arrangements and targeted layoffs that allow for more efficient scheduling, potentially cutting travel time for many workers. This approach, which has been discussed in recent discussions, suggests that the right policy mix can ease congestion and improve daily life without mandating relocation.