Your Simple Guide to the Best Time of Year to Move

It’s easy to overlook, but the time of year you choose to move can have a fairly large impact on your overall experience. Typically winter months like November or December are suggested mainly due to it being a less popular time, which also leads to lower rental and mover rates.

But depending on your geographic location, the weather may not always want to cooperate. If you want to avoid any potential hiccups, read this guide to make certain you’re not in for a bad time during your move.

Pros

• Summer is a popular time for moving because the weather is usually good and school is out, making it easier for families to relocate.
• There’s more flexibility in summer for taking time off work, which can be helpful when planning and carrying out a move.
• The real estate market is active during the summer with many leases ending and more houses available, increasing options for buyers and renters.

Cons

• Because summer is the busiest season for moving, it can be harder to find a reliable moving company and secure your preferred dates and times.
• The summer heat can pose risks, requiring extra care to protect children, pets, and sensitive items during a move.
• Moving during this peak time might mean dealing with inexperienced movers as companies often hire temporary staff to handle the high demand.

Pros

• Fall is a great time to move because the weather is usually mild, which can make the moving process more comfortable.
• With less demand for moving services in autumn, you might find it easier to book a moving company and get more flexible scheduling options.
• The lower demand can also mean potentially lower costs and better deals from moving companies eager for business.

Cons

• If you live near a university, the arrival of students in the fall can make finding an apartment harder and possibly more expensive.
• For families with school-age children, moving during the fall can disrupt the school year, causing kids to miss school days and face challenges adjusting to new environments.
• Moving late in the fall could risk bad weather like rain or snow, and the holiday season might clash with moving plans, potentially causing you to miss family events and celebrations.

Pros

• Winter is the most cost-effective season for moving, allowing you to choose from a wide range of moving companies and dates at potentially lower costs.
• You’ll have more flexibility in scheduling your move due to lower demand during these colder months.
• Your belongings might be safer in the cool conditions of a moving truck compared to the extreme heat of summer.

Cons

• If you’re not in a warm region, moving during winter can mean contending with snow, ice, and storms, making both driving and moving items riskier and more difficult.
• The cold weather reduces the number of daylight hours you have for moving and exposes your valuables to potential damage from cold and damp conditions.
• Winter moves require extra preparation, such as ensuring driveways and pathways are clear of ice and snow, and protecting your home’s flooring from water and mud brought in from outside.

Pros

• Spring offers mild weather and less demand for moving services compared to the busy summer, making it a great time to relocate.
• It’s an ideal time to sell your home as the beautiful spring scenery can enhance your property’s appeal in listing photos.
• By moving in spring, you can avoid the peak moving season rush and have the entire summer to settle into your new home comfortably.

Cons

• Moving during spring can be tough for kids still in school, as relocating close to the end of the academic year might disrupt their studies and social life.
• While the weather is generally nicer than in winter, spring showers are common and can complicate the moving process by making conditions wet and slippery.
• Increased pollen levels in spring can aggravate allergies, making the moving process uncomfortable for those sensitive to seasonal changes.

Summer

• Popular moving season due to good weather and school break.
• Increased flexibility to take time off work for moving.
• Active real estate market with many leases ending and houses available, providing more options.
• High demand makes it difficult to find reliable movers and secure preferred dates.
  Summer heat requires extra precautions to protect children, pets, and sensitive items.
• Peak season may involve dealing with inexperienced temporary movers.

Fall

• Mild weather makes moving more comfortable.
• Less demand allows for easier booking of moving companies and more flexible scheduling.
• Potential for lower costs and better deals due to reduced demand.
• Proximity to universities can make apartment hunting tougher and more expensive.
• Disrupts school year for children, potentially causing them to miss days and have difficulty adjusting.
• Risk of bad weather and holiday conflicts can interfere with moving plans.

Winter

• Most cost-effective season for moving with a wide range of available companies and dates.
• Lower demand increases scheduling flexibility.
• Cooler conditions are better for keeping belongings safe in transit.
• Harsh weather conditions like snow, ice, and storms make moving risky.
• Reduced daylight hours and cold can damage valuables.
• Extra preparation needed, such as clearing ice and protecting indoor flooring.

Spring

• Mild weather and lower demand than summer make it a great time for relocation.
• Ideal for selling homes due to attractive spring aesthetics.
• Avoids the summer rush, allowing for a relaxed settling period.
• Challenging for school-age children if moving near the end of the academic year.
• Spring showers can make moving conditions slippery and messy.
• Higher pollen counts may exacerbate allergies during the move.

At Moving Feedback we not only help you get in touch with movers in your area, we also make it easy to compare moving companies as well as offer a moving cost calculator. Visit our homepage to see what we can do for you!

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