Why in the world would nearly 36 million Americans move every year?  In our last post we looked at trends in the moving industry across the U.S. Statistically speaking we are a country on the move. The folks at the Census Bureau report that approximately 35.9 million Americans relocate annually.  So we took a closer look at what’s behind the growing trend of moving.

Top 12 List

The most widely reported reasons to move as reported through a US Census questionnaire include:

1. New or better home or apartment
2. Family related needs
3. To establish own household
4. Job related – new, transfer or looking for work
5. First-time homeowner
6. Cheaper housing
7. Closer to work or easier commute
8. Change in marital status
9. Seeking better neighborhood
10. Retired
11. Health reasons or change of climate
12. College related move

A couple reasons that were reported less frequently were natural disaster relocation, military related, eviction, foreclosure and seasonal or temporary relocation.

Easier than ever

Part of what is driving this upward trend in relocation is the improved ease of moving.  From DIY to full-service moving packages, your options have expanded. Renting everything you need including moving trucks, storage containers, boxes and packing materials can make moving more affordable.  Combining DIY with hiring a professional mover has also grown in popularity.  We see many of our customers moving their lighter items and leaving the heavy work to us.

The state we’re in

In our last post we stated that 80% of people who move relocate within the same state.  And the three states that top the list for both inbound and outbound moves are Florida, California and Texas.  When it comes to Minnesota and the Twin Cities, this region has a lot to offer.  Year round festivals, outdoor activities, arts and entertainment, low crime rates and a variety of companies to work for making the Twin Cities a popular place to live.  About.com for the Minneapolis region offers some insight into what it’s like to live here, lifestyle and culture, and the characteristics and weather of the region for anyone considering a move to our beautiful cities.

Over the years we’ve moved customers for all the reasons listed here and more. Short notice moves seem to be a need that people call us for pretty regularly. That need lead us to offer our next day availability option. We take a sense of pride in knowing we can help out in a pinch and do an excellent job in the process.  Need a mover tomorrow?  Give us a call and we will work to make it happen!