The popularity of inner-city living is declining amidst the CCP Virus pandemic alleges a new report from real estate advisory Corelogic. According to the report apartment rents in Sydney and Melbourne plunged by 5.7 percent and  7.6 percent respectively last year as COVID-19 lockdowns and border restrictions dried up the stream of tourists and overseas students and forced many renters to move out. “COVID-19 not only disrupted how we live, but also reshaped housing demand as accommodation preferences swung towards lower density options,” CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless said. “Higher density housing markets have seen less demand during the pandemic; a trend that has been amplified by stalled overseas migration and remote working opportunities luring residents further afield.” Residents leaving high-density housing areas has lead to cities falling behind the regional housing market, which saw a rapid rise in house prices and rents. Overall capital city rents rose 0.7 percent while regional …