What Is the Best Time of the Year to Move to Another State?

April 13, 2022 / Posted in Moving Basics
Milly Andrews

Born and raised in Portland, Milly has had a lot of experience moving and writing about the relocation process.

People often choose a relocation date without thinking about the impact it may have on the success of the move. Therefore, if you have the freedom of selecting the exact day, you should find out the best time of the year to move according to your situation. We came up with the benefits and disadvantages of each season to make your decision easier.

Relocation truck on the road during cross-country moving
What is the best month to move? Let's get to the bottom of it

Your reason for moving will determine whether you can influence the relocation date. For instance, if you’re relocating for a job or education, it’s more likely that the day of the move is predetermined. However, if you have the freedom to choose, one of the biggest relocation mistakes would be not thinking about the relocation day. Here is all you should know before making a final decision.

The Best Time of the Year to Move Cross Country Will Depend on Your Wishes and Possibilities

Which month is the best time to move? There is no universal answer to this question – it varies depending on one relocation to another. Several different factors can help you determine the most suitable date for your specific case, such as:

  • Financial possibilities – some seasons bring lower cost of interstate relocation than others,
  • Needs of others – Unless you’re moving to another state alone, you must also include every member of the family in the decision-making process,
  • Preferable weather – if you choose to move during the one you dislike, it will only worsen the relocation experience,
  • Location – you should avoid relocating to a cold climate during cold periods and vice versa.

For the Excellent Experience, Choose Mid-Week and Mid-Month Moving

The right months are not the only important thing to think about when getting organized to move. After deciding which month is the most suitable for you, you must pick the right date.

It’s always better to choose weekdays, especially if you’re trying to save on relocation costs since there is a lower demand than on weekends. The same goes with the mid-month move because many of those who move choose the beginning or the end (it’s the period when leases usually begin and expire).

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Winter Move Is the Cheapest, but Also the Hardest One

What is the cheapest time of year to move? Relocation season starts in April and ends in September, so when you wish for an off-season move, relocation in winter is your safest bet. But why would you want it? During this period, relocation companies meet less demand, which results in lower prices. Did you know that around 80% of all moves happen during the summer? Therefore, if you’re moving out of state on a budget and looking for the cheapest way to move, note that winter moves are the most affordable.

Since lower demand means fewer jobs for the companies, you’ll be able to find the right long-distance moving company easier during these times. While the most reputable and trustworthy companies are usually booked in advance during the season, winter relocation usually doesn’t need to be scheduled that early.

Another advantage of relocating in this period is lower renting expenses. If you’re looking for excellent rental bargains, there is a good chance you’ll find them between January and March. However, keep in mind that you may have fewer choices than during busier months. On the other hand, this period is also good for getting a job in another city, since January and February are when companies (statistically) hire the most.

With Plenty of Benefits Come a Few Disadvantages of Relocating to Another Home in Winter

Depending on where you currently live, weather conditions can significantly impact the complexity of your move. Colder weather means that you need to go the extra mile to protect your belongings. If you’re not getting packing services, all that work will be on you – boxes and furniture need to be isolated better, so they don’t catch mold and get damaged from all the extra humidity.

Also, the pathway needs to be cleared from ice and snow, whether you opt for hiring cross-country movers or decide to move on your own. Simultaneously, count on more cleaning hours since water and snow will be spread everywhere with the boots.

If you decide to contact an auto transport company to help you ship your car, remember that it needs to be appropriately winterized, especially if you’re moving from a warm climate to a cold one.

Choose a Winter Month Wisley

Keep in mind that some periods keep the disadvantages without adding all the previously mentioned good sides. That is the case with relocation during the holidays. Since people usually don’t work during this period and kids don’t go to school, it becomes a more convenient period to move. Higher job demand, however, affects the higher prices.

Still, the financial aspect is not the only one you should worry about. Relocation during the holidays, or just before them, can affect your mental health – you’ll be missing the loved ones immensely, on the one hand, but won’t get enough time to form new connections. Being alone and away from loved ones through the most joyful holidays is the main reason why many get depressed after relocation.

Summer Can Be the Best Moving Season for Several Reasons

June, July, and August are the most popular months in the relocation industry – and that’s not by accident. Here are some of the most common motives for moving in the summer:

When Is This Period Not a Good Choice?

There are some downsides to choosing to relocate during this period. If you’re relocating to or from some of the hottest states in the US, a summer move can bring more problems than benefits. Take Florida, for example, where temperatures often go above 90 degrees during June, July, and August. That kind of heat may be unbearable even if you sit at your home doing nothing.

However, there will be a lot of physical work during the move, from packing your belongings to carrying them and packing a relocation truck. Very high environmental temperatures can even cause heat cramps and exhaustion, which is why limited physical activity is often recommended. You should give up on relocating during this period if it poses a threat to your health.

Of course, there is also a question of relocation expenses. Summer is the peak of the season, meaning it will undoubtedly bring higher costs, and that goes both for long-distance moving services and renting prices. If you have a limited relocation budget and can choose when to move, other seasons can be a much better choice.

Still, remember that this is a good period for you to sell your unwanted items and save up some extra money. If you wish to move to a new home in the middle of the year, take a look at the video below and find excellent tips on how to organize a garage sale:

Fall or Spring Move Can Be Both Easy and Affordable if You Plan It Right

Fall and spring can combine the good sides of both worlds – off-season moves can bring significantly lower prices without any difficulties you would likely stumble upon during winter. Moreover, most of the US has mild weather in the fall and spring. Also, if you plan a road trip instead of hiring a car shipping company, these mild seasons are a much better choice.

Are There Any Cons of Relocating in the Fall?

Although there are many benefits for relocating in the fall, it’s not all roses and rainbows. Fall brings the most unpredictable weather, so relocating in the rain becomes a real possibility. If you don’t want your things to get water damaged on the way to or from the relocation truck, rescheduling is always an option. However, postponing the relocation date can cause many other inconveniences.

On the other hand, although fall brings beautiful scenery, all those leaves falling off can be hazardous if they are not dealt with. When preparing for cross-country moving in the fall, always count on clearing the pathways. This will minimize the risk of someone slipping and getting injured.

What to Consider When Wanting to Move In the Spring?

If you plan to move to another city, spring move can bring a lot of advantages – lower prices (up until April), excellent weather conditions, fewer rainy days than in fall and the like. However, allergies characteristic for spring makes relocation-related labor more difficult or even dangerous. Therefore, if you have a problem with allergies, make sure to visit the doctor to prescribe you suitable medications.

If you have children, note that a spring move also implies relocating during the school year (as well as the fall one). Young ones often have difficulties adjusting to another school mid-year, so whenever it is possible, it’s always better to plan the relocation to a new home during the summer break.

So, When Is the Best Time of the Year to Move Out?

As you can see, there can be many pros and cons for each of the seasons – any of them can be the best and the worst, depending on different factors. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which period suits you. Therefore, choose the period whose benefits outweigh the disadvantages of your specific situation.

Person riding a bike in NYC after cross-country moving
9.8% of American move annually, and most of them choose to do it in the summer

Whichever Month You Choose, Make Sure You Get the Top Long-Distance Movers

Choosing the right period to move is not as important as choosing the right movers to help you do it. A reputable and trustworthy team can bring every move to success, no matter the difficulties it brings. If you want to move efficiently, make sure you hire prime-quality cross-country movers for the job. The right relocation company is capable of relocating you safely and quickly no matter the part of the year.

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