Moving can be a stressful experience. To relieve some of that stress, here are 10 fun facts and statistics about moving so that you can have an enjoyable time during your move. So sit back, relax, and read on.
We’ll start with a fun fact for a little insight into life, and then we’ll cover some general moving statistics.
1. The Average American Moves 11 Times In Their Lifetime
Did you know that, on average, Americans change residences 11 times throughout their lives? That’s a lot of moving. But with so many people moving all the time, it’s understandable that there are tons of companies that exist to get you from Point A to Point B without any hassle.
2. The Average Move Takes Over 6 Hours
It takes time to package up your life and transport it from one place to another. Time management is crucial if you want a smooth transition. Furthermore, packing up all of your things and driving a truck to a new home can take a lot out of you. So make sure you’re prepared – that means have snacks & drinks ready, as well as some great music to keep the mood light.
3. Moving Is More Stressful Than Divorce or Bereavement
Who knew that moving was one of the top five most stressful events in life? That’s right. According to a study by Harris Poll, moving is more stressful than the death of a spouse, divorce, or even getting fired from your job. So it’s important to take proper measures and precautions before and during your move.
Here are some stress-reducing suggestions when you’re moving:
- Plan ahead – start packing as soon as you know your move date. Try to make a packing list or checklists to help you keep track of what needs to get packed.
- Move on weekends, if possible – If you can, avoid peak hours whenever possible, and leave yourself enough time for your move on the day.
- Take time off work – Take vacation time from work to handle your move.
- Declutter – If you’re moving to a much bigger space, consider getting rid of some belongings that you don’t need or won’t fit in your new home. It will make things less stressful for everyone involved and will help you avoid having to hire a storage unit company once everything is packed up.
- Don’t procrastinate – if you put things off, your stress will only worsen.
- Make a list – write down important tasks so that you won’t forget any of them.
- Create folders – use these to separate different types of paperwork (e.g., insurance papers, bills).
- Divide and conquer – break your move into small, manageable tasks and appointments.
- Get help – hire an expert if you aren’t sure how to move your things safely.
4. It’s Not Always About Money
A 2019 survey reported that only 21.4% of Americans relocate for work reasons and when they do, it’s usually to shorten a commute. That’s right. Americans are actually choosing to live in less expensive suburbs, but there are other motives for moving, too. In fact, 26.7% of people relocate because of family, and 11.5% move due to personal reasons, such as the birth of a child or a new spouse entering the picture. The most common reason for people to relocate is to be in a new, improved house.
5. Most Moves Occur During the Summer and Spring Months
When it comes to moving, Spring and Summer are apparently more popular than Winter, which gives new meaning to the phrase ‘spring-cleaning’. It makes sense, though. The school year is generally over, so new graduates can move for work or go back home. Furthermore, it’s easier to move in warmer weather.
6. Friday Is the Most Popular Day to Move
Although Americans are relocating all year round, the most popular relocation days occur on Fridays and Saturdays. So our best advice is to get started early so that you can take your time with things, including driving slowly and minimizing your stress levels.
7. Moving Is Cheaper in the Winter
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you should put off your move. The best time to relocate is the winter because that’s when prices are at their lowest.
Renting a truck, for example, is generally less expensive during the colder months. Furthermore, with not as many people moving around wintertime, you’ll have less competition for storage units.
8. Not Everyone Moves Far Away
That’s right, 46% of moves stay within the same county as their previous residence, and 22% even remain in the same zip code. The average distance between residences is only 25 miles.
9. The First Week of Moving Is the Most Hectic
We all know that first week. You’re starting a new job or school, and you’re learning your way around two places at once, not to mention unpacking and organizing everything. It can take the average person about 3 months to get over a move.
10. There Are over 7,000 Moving Companies in the U.S.
Moving companies can also help with your moving stress by providing moving services that can take some workloads off of you. Moving services include moving boxes for your packing, free quotes on the cost of the move, help with figuring out complicated interstate moves, storage solutions during your transition, and even help with decorating your new space.
Conclusion
If you’ve been putting off moving because it seems like such a hassle, we hope this post has helped ease your mind. It might not be the most fun thing to do, but with some planning and research, you can make sure that everything goes smoothly – from packing up your belongings in advance all the way through unpacking them when you get to your new home.
We know how difficult it is to find information on all of these topics, so if there are any other questions or concerns about what to expect during a move, please don’t hesitate to reach out.