For some people, moving is an easy choice. For others, it might take a lot of thought, willpower, and extra motivation to move, even if it’s just across town. But sometimes, a move can actually help you get a fresh outlook on life. If the time is right, if there’s opportunity waiting, or you just need a “fresh start”, a move can be just the ticket to jump-starting a new phase of your life.

But make sure you are moving for the right reasons, and not the wrong ones. How do you know?

Here are a few of the most common reasons people move:

Top 5 Reasons For Moving

Cheerful surprised young woman using smartphone and expressing surprise while reading text message about her new job.
  • Employment: A new career, a promotion, a new company – a new job opens up lots of possibilities. Some people’s employers ask them to transfer to a new location. Whether it’s a brand new job or a transfer, it’s nice to know that the paychecks will keep coming when you move.
  • Needing more space: An apartment or small house might work well for one person, a couple, or a family of three, but as families get bigger, they need more space for their possessions and for their children to have room to grow. If you feel cramped, or have several generations living under the same roof, moving to a bigger house is going to feel good, as long as you can afford it, of course.
  • Getting married: When you say, “I do,” it’s very likely you will want to find a new place to call  your own. Nothing is as exciting as finding that first home as a newly married couple and putting in your own personal touches.
  • Family issues: Maybe your parents are getting older, and you want to be near them. Or maybe you just want to be closer to extended family as you raise your kids, so everyone stays connected. Whatever the reason, family is an important factor in a lot of decisions to move.
  • Improvement on house/apartment or neighborhood: Everyone has a story, but sometimes hearing the train go by in the night, or listening to your loud neighbor next door gets old. So does that recurring mold problem or the bad landlord who never fixes anything but is happy to raise the rent. You could stay, but you prefer living in a place that you actually like, because life is short. Another key reason to move.
pie chart showing why people move

Source: Simply Self Storage Moving Statistics

It’s likely one of these, or something on the graphic, applies to you. But whatever your reason, consider why and what your life will look like after you move. Can you see overall improvement, or are you just going to encounter the same issues all over again? Are you running from something that can be better solved another way? Maybe the new town or neighborhood is closer to work, friends or hobbies, or maybe you really want a puppy and your landlord keeps saying “no”.  Take time to understand your motivations and your move will be all the sweeter.

Things to Consider When Planning a Move

two male friends talking on sofa discussing a move
  • What Will You Leave Behind? We all leave something when we move – friends, family, relationships, community, or lifestyle. Can you find satisfaction in the new life you will build at your new location? Does anything (or anyone) just feel irreplaceable? Sometimes we just need a fresh start, but if we give up what we love about the old life, it helps to know that we’ll find friends and activities we like in the new one.
  • Do you know your new neighborhood? Your neighborhood can make a huge difference on your well-being. Do you want the type of neighborhood where neighbors all say hi to each other from their porch, or do you want to live in an upscale condo in the middle of the city? Can you safely walk around at night, or do all the windows have iron bars on them? Is your new street at the center of the morning or evening commute? Is it easy to get to services from your new place? Be sure to check out the new neighborhood  at different times of day before you decide to move.
  • How much does it cost to live there? You might find a really high-paying job, but if it means having to up your spending as well, it might not be worth it. Do a budget, and compare whether it is financially worth it to make a move.
  • What is the commute like? A really long commute can take its toll on your life, your patience, and your health. You might have a lot of energy now for a long commute, but even a few years down the road, a long commute could seem unbearable. Think about this when looking at how far your new home is from your workplace.
  • What can I do if it doesn’t work out? Sometimes even with the loftiest goals and the highest amount of planning, things don’t work out. Having an exit plan beforehand is good, so you know what to do instead of just reacting in a panic to a difficult situation, like suddenly losing that new job in a strange place. Are there other job opportunities nearby, or apartments you can stay at while you search for a better neighborhood or house? Can you afford to take on a risky move now, or should you wait until you have more options?

A Moving Company That Does It All

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One thing for sure when you are ready to make that move, you’ll need a fast, reliable moving company to move your possessions wherever your next place might be. Whether you are just moving across town or out of state, Move 4 Less has you covered. We also help move businesses and specialty items. Give us a call or get your free move quote today.