Moving to a new home is an exciting experience. Amidst novelty and opportunity, relocations can open a new chapter for yourself and your family. Inspired by your new house and an unfamiliar location, it seems as though your entire lifestyle is beginning to change.
According to the American Census Bureau , the average person would move 11.7 times during their lifetime. For some, the experience would involve proper planning and ample preparation. Still, it might be an ad-hoc notice for others as landlords change their plans or job opportunities dictate relocation to a new city.
If you are buying a new home, and your move is deliberate, there is leeway to organize. Each season offers unique benefits and challenges, so it is vital to analyze your priorities and compromise accordingly.
When do people move?
To answer this question, we must consider a variety of factors. Depending on the circumstances, every household would prefer a different season, so it is vital to understand why.
One research brief from Harvard University estimated that over 40 million Americans change their residence every year. Interestingly, 64% of these moves take place between May and September.
It seems, therefore, that people would overwhelmingly prefer to relocate during summer. But why?
Moving into your new home during the summer
Summer months are ideal for relocation due to a couple of reasons. First, the peak of the home-selling season is usually around spring. It takes new homeowners a bit of preparation to organize their documentation, relocate their belongings, and settle into a new place.
Even more importantly, children are out of school. According to psychologists, kids should get used to a new area before diving head-first into responsibilities and social challenges. When families move during summer, children can become familiar with their new surroundings, develop a routine and slowly prepare for the school year ahead.
Finally, days are much longer during summer, which provides more flexibility. Suppose you have the help of friends and family. In that case, relocating everything yourself without hiring professionals is possible.
Why may summer relocation be difficult?
Depending on your location, summer temperatures may pose a challenge. The weather can be unforgiving if you live in the South, so scheduling your relocation during spring or autumn is wise.
On the other hand, states like Oregon provide the perfect weather conditions for relocating over the summer. Homeowners, who bought a new house in Portland , should consider the window between June and August.
Moreover, moving companies are usually booked during this period of the year, so it is not unusual to get higher quotes.
How about weeks and days?
Most housing leases begin and end on the month’s first and last calendar days. Therefore, finding moving companies during these saturated periods is much more difficult.
If you are willing to relocate in the middle of the month, the entire process may be more affordable.
As per the day of the week, it is much easier to take Friday off and book the entire extended weekend. Settling into your new home takes time before facing the usual responsibilities.
Moving during winter
The only advantage of winter relocation is affordability. With companies having less work, it is much easier to negotiate a good deal. However, the weather can be unforgiving in most parts of the country, making your entire experience unnecessarily tricky. Snow and ice are the usual suspects, but cold and rainy weather may be equally challenging.
Another reason to avoid moving during the winter is the holiday season. The weeks leading to Christmas are best spent at home, with family, as you relax from work and other chores. Having to relocate demands plenty of effort, defeating the holiday season’s purpose.
How about spring and fall?
While spring is the season of mild temperatures and longer day cycles, it is also the time for exams. With the school year ending, children are immersed in studying and testing. Therefore, relocating during April and May might interfere with their academic performance and psychological well-being in general.
As for fall, relocation may be difficult because of the same reasons. If you move within the same county, you can make an effort to adjust your commute in order not to change schools. However, suppose the relocation puts you in a different school district, as it often does. In that case, the logistics may be much more challenging.
Relocating between September and November may be pragmatic due to weather conditions and the availability of hired help. Additionally, you’ll have plenty of time to adjust to your new place before the holiday season. In conclusion, homeowners should weigh their priorities and decide accordingly. Price and convenience are incentives to pay attention to, and the decision to favor one over the other is purely subjective. Families with children would benefit from moving during the summer. Those who live in the south, where temperatures are much higher, would probably enjoy more if they relocated during spring or autumn.
If you’re considering moving to the Phoenix area or from one city in Metro Phoenix to another, our list of the best moving companies in Phoenix may be useful.