5 Key Takeaways from 2022 Relocation Trends

Have you ever passed a moving truck riding down the road and wondered where the family was headed? One of the United States' largest relocation companies, United Van Lines, recently released its Annual Movers Study for 2022, a report that tracks the relocation trends of families all over the country.

If you're thinking about relocating in the near future, it's helpful to know what trends are impacting where families are moving and why. Here are 5 key takeaways from the report based on 2022 relocation trends.

Here's Where Families are Moving

In 2022, the states with the highest inbound relocations, ie. the most popular places to move TO were

1. Vermont 
2. Oregon 
3. Rhode Island 
4. South Carolina 
5. Delaware 
6. North Carolina 
7. Washington, D.C. 
8. South Dakota 
9. New Mexico 
10. Alabama 

Relocation into these areas is often impacted by a lower cost of living, lower taxes, and general affordability of the overall cost of living, compared to more populous states like New York, California, and even Texas.

A Look at Who is Moving

This year's Movers Study found that the largest percentage of relocations occurred among Baby Boomers and Gen X. “Key factors like retirement, wanting to be closer to family and lifestyle changes influenced by the pandemic along with current housing prices drove moving patterns in 2022,” Michael A. Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, said.

Additionally in both Georgia and South Carolina, jobs, family and retirement topped the list of reasons for relocating.

Families Still Making Moves to the Suburbs

The United Van Lines study encompasses data that Americans are now moving from bigger to smaller cities, mostly in the South, some in the West."  Families are still making moves to the suburbs in 2022 due to a number of factors. Many families are seeking out less dense neighborhoods where they can take better advantage of larger living spaces, outdoor recreation, and the ability to distance from others during the pandemic.

Lifestyle Impacts Moving Trends

One of the main driving factors behind relocation trends in the United States is desired lifestyle. People are increasingly looking for more affordable areas to live in, as well as places that offer a better quality of life, increased access to hobbies and even proximity to their favorite destinations or major airports for travel.

Additionally, many people have been motivated by job opportunities or family ties when making their decision on where to relocate, as both of these factors can greatly impact their quality of life.

Changing Job Market Impacts Relocation Trends

While many families cited jobs as the primary reason for a relocation in 2022, the reasoning behind that may have shifted. Reports show that an increased number of families are able to relocate to more desirable locations because of the flexibility provided by remote roles. Where previously we saw relocations being tied to a job's office location, now families are afforded a bit more freedom as flexibility in the workplace grows.

The Flexibility of Moving with Go Mini's

Speaking of flexibility, when it comes to managing a relocation, having the flexibility to pack and move on your own timeline is one of the many reasons our customers continue to choose Go Mini's. Whether your move is happening on a tight schedule or your family requires the flexibility to unpack and get settled at your own pace, our team is here to help you coordinate drop-off and delivery of your portable moving container to fit your schedule.

Realized you need more time? No problem, flexible contract terms mean that you can keep the container as long as you need it and have it picked up whenever you're ready. Ready to get started? Schedule your delivery now.