Weekend Homes, Weekday Lives: Rethinking the Traditional Primary Residence
In our last post, we looked at what goes into choosing between city life and cottage living - a classic summer dilemma for many Canadians. But for some homeowners, the decision doesn’t end there. With remote work and shifting priorities, more people are starting to question not just where they live, but how they live across different spaces. Here’s a closer look at how the definition of “home base” is starting to shift.
The Traditional Model is Shifting
It used to be straightforward: the city was where you worked, lived, and established your daily routine, while the cottage was reserved as a weekend escape for rest and relaxation. But that clear division is gradually shifting. More and more people are choosing to spend entire seasons at their recreational properties, soaking in the slower pace and peaceful surroundings, while their urban homes remain quiet during the week. For many, that second home is evolving into a primary residence, prompting a fresh reflection on what “home” truly means.
Photo credit: Cottages and Bungalows
Work Flexibility is Rewriting Location Needs
Remote and hybrid work have fundamentally reshaped how we think about home and location. The need to live close to an office has diminished, giving people the freedom to craft daily routines centered around fresh air, relaxed mornings, and leisurely outdoor lunches. The once-daily commute has transformed into occasional trips into town, freeing up valuable time to focus on what truly matters. What was once a fixed, non-negotiable requirement has now become a flexible choice - one that allows you to prioritize lifestyle and well-being over geography.
Photo credit: Residences Toronto
Lifestyle is Leading the Decision
This shift goes beyond logistics - it’s a move toward intentional living. Some people are choosing to embrace quiet, peaceful mornings by the lake, soaking in the calm and reconnecting with nature. Others find their energy and inspiration in vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods rich with culture and community spirit. It’s not about one lifestyle being better than the other, but about discovering which environment best supports your daily rhythms, personal well-being, and how that balance can naturally shift and evolve with the changing seasons.
Photo credit: Omar Gandhi Architects
Ownership Strategies Are Evolving
This shift is also opening up fresh conversations about how people choose to invest in their homes and lifestyles. Many are upgrading their second properties to transform them into comfortable, year-round retreats that better suit their changing needs. Meanwhile, others are reimagining their city homes; renting them out seasonally, sharing them with family, or downsizing altogether to embrace a more flexible and freeing way of living. These evolving choices highlight a broader desire to align living spaces more closely with personal priorities, adapting as lifestyles and circumstances change over time.
It's Not Either/Or Anymore
The biggest change is the growing understanding that home doesn’t have to be tied to a single place or remain the same throughout the year. Increasingly, people are embracing a lifestyle that flows seamlessly between two homes, moving with the seasons or adapting to their unique personal rhythms. This fluid approach allows for a richer, more balanced way of living. What feels right can vary widely from person to person, and it’s this very flexibility - the freedom to choose where and how to spend time - that is becoming a key part of how we define comfort, happiness, and a true sense of belonging.
As the lines between weekday and weekend homes continue to blur, so does our definition of home itself. In the end, the right setup is the one that supports your lifestyle, your priorities, and the way you want to live - season by season.
