2023 Study: Where Americans Are Moving Abroad Post-Pandemic

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Key Findings:

  • The UK is the #1 destination for moving abroad (~21,900 moves), ahead of Mexico (19,620 moves).
  • Compared to the same period last year, 30% more Americans moved to the UK in the first six months of 2023 
  • Canada welcomed 10% more Americans as new residents in the first six months of 2023 than at this time last year, according to official figures
  • 22% more Americans moved to European countries in 2022 (100,320) than in 2021
  • Fewer Americans are interested in moving abroad in 2023, as the number of relevant Google searches is down 30% year-over-year

When we last covered the topic of Americans moving abroad in late 2022, the interest in leaving the country was the highest it’s been since the Presidential Elections in 2016.

This year, despite a 30% reduction in moving-abroad-related Google searches, American moves outside of the country don’t seem to be slowing down. In fact, more Americans moved to the UK, Mexico, and Canada so far in 2023 than at this time last year. 

In this year’s study, we chart the updated numbers of Americans moving abroad, look at top destinations overall, and highlight the fastest-growing areas in recent years.


Less Googling, More Moving: Moves to Top Destinations Hold Steady as Search Interest Declines

In the first nine months of 2023, there were around 59,000 monthly Google searches in the United States for “moving abroad” or “moving to <insert country>”.

 

“Not only has the UK overtaken Mexico as the top destination overall, but Canada received fewer U.S. citizens as new residents (10,415) than France (12,220), Spain (11,156), and Germany (10,510).”

 

Impressive as that number is, it’s 30% less than in 2022 when the average number of monthly searches for moving abroad and related keywords was 84,020. This includes a 53% reduction in searches for “moving to Canada”, and an 81% year-over-year drop in searches for “moving to Spain”.

Only a handful of countries saw a higher search interest in 2023. Searches for moving to the Middle Eastern countries of Bahrain (+50%) and Saudi Arabia (+43%) spiked the highest, while Belgium (+18%) and South Africa (+15%) saw a moderate increase in relocation interest.

an illustration of two people sitting in a living room. the canadian flag can be seen waving outside the window.But while the search interest in moving abroad is waning, the number of U.S. citizens moving to some of the top destination countries in 2023 is increasing year-over-year.

The United Kingdom, for example, had over 11,500 Americans move there from January through June 2023, about 30% more than in the first six months of 2022. The number of Americans who moved to Canada (+10%) and Mexico (+1%) in the first eight months of 2023 is higher than in the same period last year. 


Steady Flow: American Moves Abroad Hit Five-Year High in 2022

According to official statistics, almost 160,000 U.S. citizens relocated to one of 40 different countries for work, study, or family reasons in 2022. Which is more Americans leaving the country than any year since 2017

The most popular destinations for Americans moving abroad include countries such as Mexico, Canada, the UK, all the countries of the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Israel.

2022’s figure is not only the highest number going back five years, but it also represents a 16% increase in the number of moves abroad compared to 2021. In fairness, the years 2020 and 2021 were significantly affected by the pandemic, resulting in a significant decrease in moves abroad and travel in general.

Taken together, over 821,000 U.S. citizens relocated to one of these 40 countries since 2017. 

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Move Over, Canada: Top Destinations for American Moves Abroad in 2022

If Americans are leaving the country in record numbers, where are they going? Traditionally, the top destinations have been America’s neighbors Canada and Mexico, and the United Kingdom, with whom the U.S. has significant historical ties.

In 2022, however, the top destinations looked different. Not only has the UK overtaken Mexico as the top destination overall, but Canada received fewer U.S. citizens as new residents (10,415) than France (12,220), Spain (11,156), and Germany (10,510).

As Canada drops a few places in the destinations ranking, Japan is on its way up. Having been closed for entry due to the COVID-19 pandemic longer than most countries, it only properly reopened in 2022 to see 6,642 U.S. citizens relocate there — more than twice as many moves than in 2021 (2,983).

Surf’s Up: Fastest-Growing Destinations for Americans Leaving the U.S.

Japan may have recorded a significant bump in the number of U.S. citizens relocating there, but it’s actually a return to normal numbers after the steep drop caused by COVID. 

Portugal has seen the greatest influx of moves (+195%) from the United States compared to before the pandemic. Known for being one of the sunniest countries in the world, with a relatively low cost of living, and beautiful beaches, it became a top destination for digital nomads during the pandemic years. 

New Zealand — another country with world-renowned beaches and scenery — is the second fastest-growing destination for Americans moving abroad, with 146% taking residence there in 2022, compared to 2019.

On the other hand, countries such as Brazil (-50%), Ireland (-33%), and South Korea (-31%) saw the number of Americans moving decline compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Why We Leave: Some Reasons Behind Americans Moving Abroad

While we don’t have hard data on the specific reasons why Americans decide to leave the United States, there are a few factors we can pinpoint.

 

“According to official statistics, almost 160,000 U.S. citizens relocated to one of 40 different countries for work, study, or family reasons in 2022. Which is more Americans leaving the country than any year since 2017.”

 

According to a recent Washington Post analysis, one reason for the rise of Americans moving to Mexico is that ethnic Mexicans (who were born in the U.S. and have U.S. citizenship) decide to move to Mexico with family. Deportations, unfortunately, also play a part.

The same analysis picks out “a sense of adventure” as one of the forces driving Americans to move abroad, such as wanting to work or study somewhere completely different. More pragmatic reasons include lower cost of living, lower taxation, and better quality of life, as CNN’s reporting suggests.

There is some anecdotal evidence that the rise of remote work and the digital nomad movement is responsible for some Americans leaving the U.S., but it’s difficult to estimate how permanent those moves are and how many people are making them.


Sources and Methodology

Only moves with stated reasons indicating a certain degree of permanence were analyzed, including work, study, and family. Military moves were excluded, as were the moves for temporary purposes, such as temporary business and tourism.
Sources for each country:
The number of monthly searches was taken from Google Ads API as the total average monthly search volume for keywords of the type “moving to <insert country>” (e.g., “moving to Canada”, “moving to Mexico” and “moving abroad”.

Illustrations by Emma Donnelly

The Facts (and Myths) About Safely Transporting Your Flat Screen TV

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My friend Arnie is the kind of person who does everything full-tilt. So it was no surprise when he told me he was getting a massive new flatscreen TV for his Super Bowl party. But there was a problem. He had no idea how he was going to get that beast all the way home from the store in one piece.

“Can I lay it down flat in my truck?” he asked. “Or is the liquid plasma stuff inside the screen gonna get all messed up and totally destroy my new baby?”

If you’re planning on getting a new flatscreen TV during all the great Black Friday deals, you might be wondering the same. It’s a question I get all the time. The short answer? “No, you can’t lay it down. And no, the plasma won’t mess up your TV.” 

The long answer is below, along with some other tips about getting your new TV home in one piece.


Transporting Flat Screens: Opinions vs. Facts

a man looks at different types of TVs in a store

Here are a few common opinions I found about moving a flatscreen TV, from typically credible places:

  • “Never lay a TV flat when transporting it. I speak from experience.” (avforums)
  • “There’s no real issue with transporting LCD’s laying down. They don’t have a pane of glass like plasmas do.” (MacForums)
  • “Manufacturers recommend storing the TV upright, rather than flat or on its side (Techwalla)

While there’s definitely an agreement that transporting flatscreen TVs horizontally can lead to damage, there’s some anecdotal advice that says this only applies to certain types of televisions. But is that really true?

First, let’s look at the two basic types of flat screens.

  1. Plasma screens consist of a double layer of glass holding millions of tiny cells containing microscopic fluorescent ‘lamps’ that produce an image. It’s a similar sort of technology that light bulbs use. Older models of flat screens are more likely to be this plasma type.
  2. LCD (liquid crystal display) screens contain millions of pixels, made of sub-pixels that are like windows with shades that let in different amounts of red, green, or blue light. These produce light in varying percentages to form the picture we see.

(Note: A third type, the LED (light-emitting diode) display, is basically an LCD screen, but with LED backlighting.)

If you want to read up on some finer points between TV types, here’s a handy guide.

 

“Whether you’re picking up a used flat screen TV or buying one new, be sure to set it vertically in your vehicle, right side up, with sufficient padding on all sides to keep it firmly and safely in place.”

 

So, despite what my pal Arnie was afraid of, there’s nothing inside either type of TV that’s going to get ruined, or settle at the bottom of your screen. As long as it remains properly vertical, your TV will be just fine no matter how many years it stands on your table, hangs on your wall, or sits in the moving truck if you’re moving long distance.

But, when it comes to keeping your flat screen safe, it doesn’t really matter which type it is. Both are susceptible to damage if transported or stored improperly. 

But why is it bad to lay a flatscreen TV down flat? a broken tv that's cracked down the center

Because flatscreen TVs are designed to sit upright. More specifically, your TV is constructed to fully support that screen when it is vertical, but not at all when it’s horizontal. If you lay your TV down, the absence of support in the middle of the screen can cause cracking or distortion around the edges if left that way over time. 

It’s fine to lay your TV down temporarily — like to attach accessories or clean it — but if you drive down the road with your TV laid flat you’re risking serious damage. A few bumps and jolts are all it takes for that screen to start sagging in the middle and cracking or warping under its own weight. 

This is why glass-delivery trucks have those vertical racks on the sides, and why we movers always load mirrors and picture frames vertically.

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Transport your flatscreen TV the right way

Whether you’re picking up a used flatscreen TV or buying one new, be sure to set it vertically in your vehicle, right side up, with sufficient padding on all sides to keep it firmly and safely in place.

If you are buying a used flat screen from someone who doesn’t have the original packaging anymore, take the time to protect it properly. A few thick blankets might work in a pinch, but if you can, packing your TV like it’s a mirror applies just as well.

Your TV, your wallet, and all your friends at your Super Bowl party will be glad you did.

How To Get the Most Out of Your Customer Reviews if You’re a Mover

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If you’re a business with any kind of online presence, your customers are talking about you … somewhere. And you can bet people are reading it!

Customer reviews can make or break your business — especially for moving companies. In general, 93% of consumers read reviews before making a purchase. Meanwhile, 49% of consumers say they trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations.

If your online profiles show a string of negative reviews — or even just comments from customers that were never acknowledged or addressed — you are almost certainly losing out on bookings. Once you understand how you can leverage them to your benefit, you’ll quickly come to embrace customer reviews, even if they’re negative! Here’s how.


Where Do Moving Customers Leave Reviews?

hireahelper review page
Reviews on HireAHelper.com

Aside from your website, there are a number of places where customers can leave reviews about their experience working with your company. You could have reviews out there that you never even knew about. 

Here are some common sites that feature customer reviews:

  • Google My Business: Google is often the first place people go when they are researching a company. By creating a Google My Business profile, you allow your customers to leave reviews directly on your Google listing.
  • Yelp: Yelp collects business reviews for virtually all industries, including moving companies. (But no customer service!)
  • Facebook: If your moving company has a Facebook business page, customers can leave reviews there. These reviews are visible to anyone who visits your page.
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB is a legacy source of business reviews, and they have a specific category for moving and storage companies.
  • Angie’s List: Angie’s List is a well-known site where customers can leave reviews for all types of service providers, including movers.
  • HomeAdvisor: HomeAdvisor is a platform where homeowners can find and vet contractors for all kinds of services, including moving services.
  • HireAHelper: As the largest mover marketplace on the internet, there are over a quarter of a million mover reviews on HireAHelper. They handle nearly all customer communication and coordination for you, but you get to personally respond to any reviews left by customers if you want.

How Do You Improve Your Customer Reviews?

movers reviews

Yes, all businesses should encourage customers to leave reviews.

It’s important to respond to them in a thoughtful and respectful manner, regardless of whether they’re positive or negative. However, there are some steps you can take to improve the quality of reviews and increase the number of positive ones.

moversRespond to ALL reviews

Responding to reviews shows appreciation for the customer’s time and effort — not just to them, but to everyone reading.

And make sure it’s an original response — no matter what — and never copied and pasted! It conveys that your moving business values their input and is listening to their experiences and feedback. You will ultimately leverage these reviews to improve your business and increase revenue.

However, it’s crucial to handle your original responses with care. A poorly crafted or defensive response can severely damage your reputation. Ideally, responses to customer reviews should be professional, courteous, and aimed at resolving any issues.

Responding to positive reviews

Who doesn’t love a happy customer? But there are still some important things to remember:

  • Yes, make sure you take the time to respond to positive reviews. And even though it’s a positive review, maintain a professional tone in your response.
  • Be sure to personalize your responses by addressing the reviewer by name. This shows you value them as an individual and not just a customer number. It’s also important to express sincere thanks for the time the customer took to leave a review. You can say something like, “Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a fantastic review.”
  • If the review includes specifics about what the customer liked, reinforce those elements in your response. For example, “We’re thrilled to hear that you loved our moving service, especially the part about…”
  • Encourage the reviewer to return to your business, and that you appreciate recommendations to friends and family.

HireAHelper is a nationwide marketplace where you can compare and book local movers to help you pack, load and unload your moving truck or container.

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Responding to negative reviews

Here’s the hard part of dealing with reviews … no matter how much time and effort you put into running your business the right way, there are bound to be a few dissatisfied customers. Maybe one of your movers accidentally chipped a table, or perhaps your customer was just having a bad day and decided to take it out on your review page.

Here’s what to do:

  • Act quickly: Respond to negative feedback as soon as possible. A swift response shows that you care about customer satisfaction and are serious about resolving their concerns.
  • Always begin by acknowledging the customer’s concerns and offering an apology for their experience. Even if you believe your business did nothing wrong, you can still express regret that they had a negative experience. Empathy can go a long way in diffusing a negative situation. 
  • It’s natural to feel defensive when you receive a negative review, but it’s crucial to address negative reviews constructively and empathetically. It can turn a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one and show potential customers that you’re dedicated to resolving issues. (Remember that your response is public and will be seen by future  customers!)
  • Definitely don’t delete negative reviewsone study found that 62% of consumers say they won’t buy from a brand they think censors online reviews. (In other words, people are suspicious of 100% 5-star reviews, and for good reason!)
  • If the customer has mentioned specific issues, quickly hone in on them in your response. This shows that you have carefully read their review and are responding to their particular situation. Then, propose a way to resolve the issue, whether it’s a partial refund, further conversation offline, or some other solution.
  • Remember to thank them! Yes, even for negative reviews. The feedback can help you improve your business, and showing appreciation for that can help repair the relationship with the upset customer.

The Hidden Benefits of Customer Reviews

mover reviews

Reading your customers’ reviews is about more than feeling warm and fuzzy when they have something nice to say. There are a number of benefits of customer reviews for a moving business, whether positive or negative.

  • Drastically improve sales: Maybe not a “hidden” benefit, exactly, but positive reviews will help seal the deal with future potential customers. The more positive reviews you accumulate, the more business you’ll likely book. Simple, right?
  • SEO benefits: “SEO” stands for “search engine optimization”. Basically, search websites like Google, Bing and Yahoo consider customer reviews in their algorithms for what websites they show when people search for stuff. Having lots of reviews will help your business rank higher in result pages when people are searching for local moving companies. Huge!
  • Customer engagement and retention: You want customers to engage with your brand, and reviews are one of the best ways to do this. Your efforts are not only appreciated, but they result in more brand recognition and ultimately, return business.
  • Super direct feedback: Reviews provide honest feedback about your moving business, which you can use to identify areas of improvement.
  • Credibility: Having reviews at all significantly boosts a business’s credibility and reputation. How many times have you Googled something just to check if it was a real thing? 
  • Customer knowledge: Reviews can also provide you with valuable insights into your customers’ preferences, needs and expectations. You may be surprised what areas continue to be brought up that maybe you deprioritized, or weren’t even aware about!

How To Encourage Customers To Leave Reviews

So how can you encourage your customers to leave reviews to boost your business marketing efforts? Here are some ideas:

  • Just ask: Sometimes, the simplest way to get reviews is just to ask. You can do this at the end of a transaction, via email, or even on social media. Explain how much you appreciate customer feedback and how it helps your business.
  • Make it super easy: Be sure the process for leaving a review as simple as possible. Provide direct links to your review profiles in emails or on your website. If the process is too complicated, customers will almost never leave you a review.
  • Incentivize reviewers: Offer a small incentive to encourage customers to leave a review. Some people give small discounts, gift card giveaways, or things like that. Just don’t get carried away and seem like you’re attempting to purchase their review.
  • Follow up: After you complete a move for a customer, follow up via email or text message to ask for a review. You can use this opportunity to thank them for their business and request their feedback. (It’s worth noting HireAHelper automates this for all your HireAHelper jobs, so your reviews will come in like clockwork.)

What To Do After You Get Reviews

mover reviews

So now you have plenty of customer reviews to work with. Good job! But what, exactly, can you do to use those reviews to boost your business after you get them?

  • Share reviews on social media: Sharing positive reviews on all social media platforms can help spread the word about your great customer service or products.
  • Highlight reviews on your website: Consider creating a dedicated “Testimonials” section on your website. This can be one of the first places prospective customers visit to determine if they want to book your movers (Don’t have a website? Setting up a free profile on mover marketplace websites is that much more important if you don’t have a nice one of your own!)
  • Use in marketing materials: Positive customer reviews can be used in your marketing and promotional materials, whether it’s a brochure, email campaign, or online advertisements.
  • Inform service development: Positive reviews can give you a sense of what you’re doing right, what customers appreciate most about your moving services, and what makes your business stand out. This information can be instrumental in developing new services or refining existing ones.
  • Motivate your team: Positive customer reviews aren’t just a great tool for growing your business internally — they’re also helpful for motivating your team internally. Sharing positive reviews with your team can boost morale and show your team that their efforts are recognized and appreciated by customers.

Keep in mind that you should request permission from customers before publicly using their reviews, particularly if you’re using them in a broader marketing campaign or sharing them in a public space beyond the platform where they were originally posted.


On the surface, customer reviews might seem inconsequential or even be a bit of a nuisance. If your moving business is already doing well, you might not think it’s important to invest time into responding to customer reviews and fostering more of them.

However, ignoring reviews could mean leaving money on the table. Customers are going to review your business whether you engage with them or not, so you might as well take advantage of the opportunity to improve customer service, increase credibility, and drive more sales.

2023 Study: 3 Million Moves Driven by Extreme Weather Events Last Year

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Key Insights

  • 3 million Americans were displaced by a natural disaster at some point in the last year
  • 530,000 (or 18% of those 3 million) still haven’t returned home after being displaced
  • 25% of moves forced by natural disasters are people destined for a different state
  • Hurricanes and storms were responsible for 51% of all the disaster-related moves in 2022
  • Fires are most likely to result in long-term or permanent displacement, as 45% of those displaced by fires in 2023 never returned home

In this study, HireAHelper takes a close look at moves forced by natural disasters in the United States.

Using the most recent data from the Census Bureau’s large-scale Household Pulse Survey and Current Population Survey, we focused on the number of disaster-forced moves over time, their typical destinations, as well as the types of disasters forcing most Americans out of their homes.


natural disaster movesDisplaced or Moved Permanently: Counting the Number of Americans Fleeing Natural Disasters

Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey puts the number of Americans displaced by a natural disaster at 3 million.

This figure made national news earlier this year and represents the number of Americans who self-reported as being displaced from their home because of a natural disaster at some point in the past year.

3 million is a large number, but it’s worth noting that most displaced moves are temporary. According to the same survey data, 33% of those Americans who have been forced to leave their home due to a natural disaster at some point in the past 12 months return home within just a week.  

A further 31% go back home within a month and 19% return after six months to a year away from their usual residence.

That said, as of May 2023, 18% of Americans displaced by a natural disaster still haven’t returned home after 12 months. This is equivalent to 533,000 people needing to figure out life in a new place after their previous living arrangement became untenable.  

If we look at more permanent moves, however, the number of people who moved due to a natural disaster in 2022 is around 88,000. This figure comes from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey which targets “…individuals who have usual residences elsewhere,” meaning it reflects the number of people who moved permanently.

The most likely reason for the discrepancy between the number of permanent movies and the number of those still home after 12 months is timing. Current Population Survey data was released in late 2022 and could have been too early to reflect the full impact of disasters such as Hurricane Ian. In turn, Household Pulse Survey from April-May 2023 would already include people who have been displaced by extreme weather events in late 2022 and early this year.


States With the Most Americans Affected

One state stands out in terms of how many of its residents have been forced to flee their homes because of a natural disaster: Louisiana

7.5% of people once residing in Louisiana had to, even if temporarily, leave their homes in the wake of a cataclysm in the past year — that’s one in 13 people. 

 

“Not only is Texas by far the most common destination for moves made by those fleeing a natural disaster, but it’s also the state with the highest number of disaster refugees relative to the local population (58 per 10,000).”

 

Why? Even though there weren’t any singular stand-out disasters here in the past year, parts of the state are still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Laura in 2020 and Hurricane Ida in 2021.

The second most affected state is Florida, where 5.6% of residents found themselves displaced at one point or another in the past 12 months. And while Louisiana hasn’t experienced a major cataclysm last year, Florida had Hurricane Ian to contend with, which was one of the worst hurricanes in U.S. history.

Kentucky (2.6%), Alaska (2.5%), Michigan (2.2%), and New Mexico (2%) are the only other states where the share of those displaced by disasters rose above 2%. Everywhere else, the percentage of residents who had to leave their homes due to a natural disaster was reportedly under 2% of residents.


Wind and Fire: Disasters that Displace the Most Americans

Between hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes, what extreme weather events cause the greatest number of Americans to uproot their life and move?

 

“7.5% of people once residing in Louisiana had to, even if temporarily, leave their homes in the wake of a cataclysm in the past year — that’s one in 13 people.”

 

In absolute terms, it’s by far hurricanes that account for the lion’s share of displacements — 41%. Together with tornadoes, they are responsible for over half (51%) of all disaster-related moves in the United States.

Meanwhile, wildfires are responsible for 23% of all displaced moves in the past year, while floods account for 26% of such moves, depending on the source.

Events such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity also contribute to the displacement of people, though at smaller scales.


Impacts Per Type of Disaster

Despite hurricanes causing most of the displaced moves in the United States, their impact tends to be short-term. The share of those displaced by hurricanes that return home within a month is 67% and only 10% are displaced for more than a year.

On the other hand, 45% of those who escaped wildfires can’t return home even after a year of being forced out. Tornadoes have the second displacement effect with a quarter (24%) of those who had to move out because of a tornado still aren’t home after 12 months away.


Location-Based Insights:

  • Louisiana (7%) and Florida (5.6%) have the highest proportion of people displaced by a natural disaster in the last 12 months
  • Texas is the destination for 37% of all disaster-driven interstate moves since 2005
  • Texas (58), Tennessee (51), and Mississippi (48) are the most welcoming states, with the highest ratio of disaster refugees per 10,000 people
  • New York (2.7), Kentucky (2.8), and New Jersey (3) have the fewest incoming displaced moves per 10,000 residents

How Far and Where To: Top Destinations of Displaced Moves

Compared to regular moves for work or family reasons, permanent moves caused by a natural disaster tend to go a bit farther, or, at least historically. 

Since 2006, two-thirds (65%) of Americans who move tend to stay within the same county, compared to just over half (55%) of those displaced by natural disasters stay nearby.

Conversely, 25% of those who moved due to a natural disaster went to a different state, compared to 15% of non-disaster-related moves, figures from the Current Population Survey show. 

It’s these longer-distance moves of those displaced by an extreme weather event that reveal an interesting pattern.

Since 2006, 37% of Americans who had to resettle outside their state as a result of a natural disaster went to one state – Texas. 

Not only is Texas by far the most common destination for moves made by those fleeing a natural disaster, but it’s also the state with the highest number of disaster refugees relative to the local population (58 per 10,000).

Tennessee (51) and Mississippi (48) follow as the second and third states by the number of domestic disaster refugees per 10,000 local residents.

Other states that have welcomed a significant number of displaced Americans include the three Midwestern states of Missouri (30), Wisconsin (28), and Michigan (26). Rounding off the top 10 are Arkansas and Georgia — both with 24 resettled Americans per 10,000 local residents since 2006.

State Disaster Moves per 10,000 residents State Disaster Moves per 10,000 residents
Texas 58.2 New York 2.7
Tennessee 50.9 Kentucky 2.8
Mississippi 47.7 New Jersey 3.0
Wyoming 35.0 Connecticut 3.0
Missouri 30.1 California 3.2
Wisconsin 27.7 Indiana 5.1
Michigan 25.9 Nebraska 5.6
Oregon 25.5 West Virginia 5.9
Arkansas 24.4 Alaska 6.4
Georgia 23.9 Ohio 6.5

New York (2.7 per 10,000 people) and Kentucky (2.8) are the states with the lowest intake of displaced Americans compared to the local population, followed by New Jersey (3), Connecticut (3), and California (3.2), where the share of disaster-displaced new residents to the local population is around 3 per 10,000.

To see how many Americans displaced by natural disasters each state welcomed, check out our interactive map.


Tides of Change: Moves Forced by Disasters Over Time

The number of Americans who moved due to a natural disaster hasn’t reached the level of Hurricane Katrina since then. That storm was a cataclysm that claimed over 1,000 lives,  forced over 1 million people out of their homes in late August 2005, and is generally considered one of the costliest cataclysms in U.S. history.  

But there have been some spikes of displacements of over 100,000 that have coincided with U.S. natural disasters, such as Hurricane Ike in 2008, Hurricane Florence in 2018, and the California Wildfires of 2019.

The Current Population Survey data reflect more permanent moves, meaning the true number of people who were forced to move temporarily due to various cataclysms is likely a lot higher. 

Fortunately, most Americans who had to flee their home due to a natural disaster eventually return home.


Sources and Methodology
Figures on the number of Americans that have been displaced by a natural disaster in the past 12 months, their place of residence, how long they were away from their homes, and what event caused them to leave their homes were all taken from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey.
Statistics on the number of Americans who were forced to relocate due to natural disasters over time, the length of their moves, and their destinations were taken from U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (as available via IPUMS.)
U.S. Census Bureau’s state population estimates were used to calculate how many natural disaster refugees each state accepted per 10,000 residents.
Illustrations by Jiaqi Zhou

2023 Study: The Shocking Rise of Eviction- and Foreclosure-Related Moves

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Key Findings

  • Over 200,000 Americans had to move due to eviction or foreclosure in 2022 
  • The number of eviction/foreclosure-related moves rose 56% from 2021 to 2022
  • California (+411%), Florida (+187%) and Massachusetts (+105%) saw the highest increase in moves following evictions and foreclosures 
  • Single parents (43%) and single mothers (79%) were more likely to move due to eviction or foreclosure than their married or childless counterparts
  • Black (+23%) and Hispanic (+14%) people were more likely to be among those forced to move after losing their home compared to white Americans
  • One in six (16%) of renters report being “very likely” to get evicted in the next two months in 2023  

One of the most striking and worrying findings from our latest migration report was that last year, the number of Americans who moved due to “foreclosure or eviction” was 56% higher than the year prior.

To better understand this trend, we delved into these worrying figures to see who has been the most affected, as well as to highlight where in the United States the number of moves resulting from evictions and foreclosures is rising most rapidly.

evictionsEviction- and Foreclosure-related Moves on the Rise

Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, a big reason for this jump in evictions and foreclosures was due to the fact that America’s homeownership and homelessness problems are getting worse.

These numbers were made worse in large part due to rising inflation, as well as federal rent assistance running out. These factors caused foreclosures and evictions to spike in 2022, which left thousands of Americans in need of a new home they can afford. (More on this below.)

How many foreclosures were there in 2022?

Based on data from ATTOM, a private real-estate data agency, there were 324,237 foreclosures in the U.S. in 2022.

(It’s worth noting that while this is more than double (+115%) the number of foreclosures in 2021, that figure is still lower than pre-pandemic levels.)

How many evictions were there in 2022?

While foreclosure statistics are more readily available, hard data on evictions is notoriously sparse due to being recorded inconsistently, often in hand-written form, or not recorded at all.

 

“While a few cities (such as Los Angeles) extended eviction moratoriums through to 2023, for the most part, all those protections are now gone in virtually all U.S. states.” 

 

According to the data from Eviction Lab, an eviction data research agency out of Princeton University, eviction filings saw an 81% uptick in 2022. (However, that stat only covers 32 cities across the ten states they are currently able to track.)

How have these trends affected moving within the US?

While the total number of eviction/foreclosure-related moves is lower than it was in the mid-2010s (it’s been falling steadily since 2017), that all changed dramatically last year.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that as many as 204,000 Americans were forced to move in 2022 after being evicted or having had their property foreclosed — which resulted in a rate increase of 56% — the highest since the pandemic started. 

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Why Foreclosures and Evictions are On the Rise: End of Federal Protections and High Inflation

If eviction- and foreclosure-cited moves jumped 56%, then it follows that the growth in the number of evictions and foreclosures must have also spiked significantly … right?

 

“Black (+23%) and Hispanic (14%) people are much more susceptible to being evicted or losing their homes to foreclosure than their white counterparts.”

 

But according to some experts, they didn’t. Statistically, both evictions and foreclosures were actually artificially reported as “low” in the preceding years of 2020 and 2021, because would-be eviction and foreclosure moves were uniquely held at bay by pandemic-related protections instated by the U.S. government for both homeowners and renters, at both the federal and state levels. With those protections now fading away, that rate couldn’t sustain itself.

On top of that, people had to simultaneously deal with historically high inflation and mortgage interest rates, making their financial situation even more precarious. 

What were the pandemic-era protections for renters and homeowners?

As part of the legislative pandemic response in the United States, the CARES Act provided new foreclosure moratoriums and mortgage forbearance options for homeowners at the federal level.

Meanwhile, renters received help in the form of rental assistance and a moratorium on all evictions. But most of these protections ran out in the middle of 2021, just as America was economically moving past the pandemic.

While a few cities (such as Los Angeles) extended eviction moratoriums through to 2023, for the most part, all those protections are now gone in virtually all U.S. states. 

The States Where Eviction and Foreclosure Moves are Spiking Most

Figures from the U.S. government’s Current Population Survey suggest California is the state where the number of moves forced by eviction and foreclosure jumped most significantly.

Another state experiencing a drastic rise in the number of foreclosure- and eviction-related moves was Florida. In the Sunshine State, the year-over-year growth rate of such moves was up 187% in 2022.

Massachusetts is the third and final state where eviction/foreclosure moves doubled year over year, rising by as much as 105% in 2022, compared to the year before.

Unfortunately, eviction-only data does not exist at neither the state nor federal level, making it next to impossible to make city-level comparisons. However, it’s safe to say that states that rank high on foreclosure-related graphs may also be unfortunate candidates for eviction-related ramifications.

 

“The U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey found that in February 2023, 16% of renters said they were likely to be evicted within two months.”

 

People of Color and Single Parents: Demographics of Eviction and Foreclosure Movers

Reflecting the demographics of eviction movers, it’s people of color and single parents who are much more likely to report being at risk for eviction in early 2023.

Single parents are 43% more likely to be among those moving due to eviction and foreclosure than those married or those without children in the household. For single mothers, the over-representation rate sits at 80% more likely to be evicted and foreclosed on.

As frequently reported, single parents and especially single mothers were much more likely to drop out of the labor force to take care of children during the pandemic. They were also much more reliant on COVID-related protections from the government, without which many now struggle to afford their home.

Consistent with findings of previous studies, Black (+23%) and Hispanic (14%) people are much more susceptible to being evicted or losing their homes to foreclosure than their white counterparts.

Age-wise, members of Generation X (+33%) are most over-represented among those who had to move after losing their homes. Interestingly, millennials were 16% less likely to be among eviction and foreclosure movers in 2022.

Renting on the Brink: Risk of Eviction is Rising in 2023

Detailed statistics on the number of Americans getting evicted or losing their home to repossession may not exist, but we do have a good indication of how many are on the brink of losing their homes.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey found that in February 2023, 16% of renters said they were likely to be evicted within two months. About 4% of those who own their home reported being likely to have their home repossessed.

In volume, that’s 1.3 million renters and 175,000 homeowner households that may have to relocate due to being unable to keep up with rent or mortgage payments.

While the share of homeowners grappling with the risk of foreclosure is at a one-year low, the share of renters falling further and further behind in rent arrears is at a 5-month high.


Sources and Methodology
The number of eviction- and foreclosure-related moves over time, by state, and by demographic was collated from the Annual Social and Economic Supplements of the Current Population Survey, carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau and available via IPUMS.
Data on the risk of eviction and foreclosure over time and in February 2023 was taken from Household Pulse Survey, carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau to produce data on the social and economic effects of coronavirus and other emergent issues on American households.
Singular stats on evictions and foreclosures were taken from Princeton University Eviction Lab and ATTOM respectively. 
Illustrations by Alice Mollon

The 8 Best Movers in Los Angeles According to Real Customers

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Are you about to move to the L.A. area? Or maybe you’re leaving the City of Angels for new adventures? In either case, I understand how overwhelming the process of packing up and shipping out can be.

As someone who spent years working in moving and storage, I know that who you choose to help you with your move can make all the difference. Unfortunately, it can be hard to know if you’re picking the right Los Angeles moving company.

So without further ado, I give you this curated list of HireAHelper’s top Los Angeles movers (as of Spring 2023). This list is based on real customer reviews. You’ll find companies of all sizes, from well-recognized names to mom-and-pop shops, each with its own strengths and personality.

The 2023 8 Best Los Angeles Movers

Rigo’s Moving & Storage, Inc.

rigo's moving

Price: $113/hour for two movers (after 2-hour minimum)

Reviews: 4.9/5 stars (1,160 reviews) [as of Spring 2023]

What They Offer

  • Loading and unloading
  • Day labor
  • Movers with a truck
  • Next-day requests at normal rates
  • Ability to stay at least two hours over the prebooked time
  • Same-day requests (w/ 20% charge increase)
Note: No refund for unused time.

Why I Love Them

Rigo's moving
Rigo’s Moving & Storage

Rigo’s is the #1 rated mover on this list and for a reason: they have completed more jobs on HireAHelper than any other moving company. They have a robust FAQs section, which displays their commitment to both customers and employees, and I appreciate that they transparently explain what to expect before and on moving day — this extra touch may seem small, but it speaks to their thoughtfulness and service standards.

What Real Customers Said:

Treating customer valuables like their own: Santiago & Benito are a great team. More attention to detail than I expected. Handled my property as if it was their own. If you’re hiring Rigos ask for these two amazing men.

Satisfaction from beginning to end: Fantastic work! Friendly, communicative, efficient, and ready to tackle the job, which was unloading a 16-foot moving truck into a two-bedroom apartment up a flight of stairs. Appreciated the confirmation call beforehand and all their heavy lifting.”


BC Moving Labor

bc moving labor logo

Price: $140/hour for two movers (after 2 hour minimum)

Reviews: 5 out of 5 stars (529 reviews) [as of Spring 2023]

What They Offer

  • Loading and unloading
  • Day labor
  • Next-day requests at normal rates
  • Refund up to one unused hour over their minimum
  • Ability to stay at least one hour over the prebooked time
  • Same-day requests (w/ 20% charge increase)
bc moving labor
BC Moving Labor

Why I Love Them

Having opened its doors in 2016, BC Moving Labor is somehow “new” to the scene compared to others on this list, which goes to show how much valuable experience exists in the LA area. BC says they’re especially proud that they are fully family-owned and operated, which is reflected in their reviews: honesty, care, trustworthiness, professionalism, and hard work. (5 out of 5 stars after over 500 reviews is crazy!)

What Real Customers Said:

Expert puzzle solvers: They were amazing! I just stood there scratching my head at how Bernard could fit things together like a perfect puzzle. They got all my stuff into one large POD!! It didn’t look possible to me. I would highly recommend.”

Pro PODS packers: “These guys are awesome! I’ve dealt with a lot of movers and they were the best yet. Really smart with their packing of my pod, super nice and hardworking. They definitely surpassed my expectations and I would recommend them to anyone. Believe all the good reviews!!”


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Excellent Movers

excellent movers logo

Price: $125/hour for two movers (after 2-hour minimum)

Reviews: 4.9/5 stars (484 reviews) [as of Spring 2023]

What They Offer

  • Loading and unloading
  • Day labor
  • Next-day requests at normal rates
  • Ability to stay at least one hour over the prebooked time
  • Same-day requests (w/ 15% charge increase)
Note: No refund for unused time.

Why I Love Them

While Excellent Movers provides no-frills, standard moving services, I appreciate their call out that no job is too small, which is a relief to all you apartment-dwellers out there. Even if you just need professional assistance getting a new sofa into your office, unloading heavy boxes at a storage unit, or unpacking for an event, Excellent Movers is happy to help. 

What Real Customers Said:

Challenge accepted and accomplished: Daniel was great to work with! He communicated very well, was on time and he and his workers did an excellent job. They worked very hard to get our ABF trailer filled, even though it was a challenging load. I would definitely recommend them and I would use them again.”

Stress-relieving rockstars: Thank you so much to Daniel and his crew! Moving is always stressful, but I have to say this is definitely the easiest move I’ve ever done. The scheduling process was super simple, Daniel contacted me the next day to confirm, and the day of the move they showed up early and jumped right in. They took great care of everything, and even went above and beyond to find a solution when an item wasn’t going to fit in the stairs or elevator. Will totally be using them in the future! These guys are rockstars, thanks again!”


Patriot One Movers

patriot one movers

Price: $129/hour for two movers (after 2-hour minimum)

Reviews: 5 out of 5 stars (654 reviews) [as of Spring 2023]

What They Offer

  • Loading and unloading
  • Day labor
  • Same-day requests at normal rates
  • Next-day requests at normal rates
  • Refund for any unused time over their minimum
  • Ability to stay at least two hours over the prebooked time
patriot one movers
Patriot One Movers

Why I Love Them

With more than 13 years of experience, Patriot One Movers is the only business on this list with all 5-star reviews — a lofty accomplishment that shouldn’t be overlooked. They also hold the longest daily hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., which can come in handy for long moving days and urgent communications. Not to mention, they may be able to do a same-day request at normal rates! 

When people review Patriot One’s customer reviews, you often find recurring themes of professionalism, efficiency, and friendliness. 

What Real Customers Said: 

Earning repeat customers: First time working with these guys they were early and came prepared [and] brought tools and their own dolly etc. Worked quickly and efficiently. They were amazing! I’m using them again the following weekend for the second part of my move. 100% would recommend them to anyone.”

Words of praise from a seasoned mover: “This was my 14th move in the last 10 ten years, and Patriot One was THE best movers I’ve had. I was late arriving to my new home, and Frank was very accommodating and understanding of the situation. He was prompt and helpful when arriving the next morning, stayed with our truck because we had to park in a “no-parking zone”; he really put us at ease! The two movers he brought were the NICEST guys. They made sure everything was EXACTLY where I wanted it (even humored me by moving the rug and couch to the perfect spot). I can’t say enough good things about them. I really felt like my things were in great hands and treated with care and respect. You can feel confident with them and quickly check-off an item on your moving to-do list.”


Lucky Movers

lucky movers logo

 Price: $89/hour for two movers (after 2-hour minimum)

Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars (774 reviews) [as of Spring 2023]

What They Offer

  • Loading and unloading
  • Day labor
  • Next-day requests at normal rates
  • Ability to stay at least two hours over the prebooked time
  • Same-day requests (w/ 20% charge increase)
Note: No refund for unused time.
lucky movers los angeles
Lucky Movers in Los Angeles

Why I Love Them

Lucky is the only company on this list that encourages customers to “call, email or text us” after booking a job. This friendly, open communication provides reassurance — especially for customers who are new to moving!

I also enjoyed their personality in their FAQs — from sharing that they enjoy the “workout” aspect of moving, to training their crew members to “pack a (PODS) or truck like playing the Tetris game.” Lucky Movers has a standout voice and seems to have a culture that embraces fun. 

What Real Customers Said: 

Flexible around the holidays: Ivan and Jose at Lucky Movers were awesome! They were patient with us as we had 2 moving date changes, and stuck with us on our Christmas Eve move. On time, careful with our belongings, polite, efficient, they were the whole package! We can definitely recommend Lucky Movers to anyone who has an upcoming move planned!”

Strong communication: Highly recommend these guys to help you move. They were great about keeping me in the loop as to when they’d arrive at my house, and got there when they said. Were careful with my stuff, and got my POD loaded in no time. Definitely will use them again.”


We the States Moving

We the states logo

Price: $75/hour for two movers (after 2-hour minimum)

Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars (437 reviews) [as of Spring 2023]

What They Offer

  • Loading and unloading
  • Day labor
  • Next-day requests at normal rates
  • Same-day requests (w/ 5% charge increase)
Note: No refund for unused time, no guaranteed availability beyond the prebooked time

Why I Love Them

We the States Moving is the most affordable company on this list and the only profile that contains a message in the “About Us” section from the owner, Jon — a thoughtful, personal touch.

Jon brings years of experience in the moving industry and supports a wide range of services, from state-to-state moves, to rearranging furniture in medical offices and spas.

What Real Customers Said:

Professionalism from start to finish: Jon did an incredible job. He figured out a way to pack 2 U-Boxes and we can’t believe he fit everything in there! He was a professional and really knew what he was doing. I would hire him again in a heartbeat. Thank you for the amazing service!!”

Accommodating last-minute arrangements: We the States Moving proved a lifesaver. I was tasked with an impromptu move and needed movers the same day, no scheduling. Well, through Hire A Helper, I found We the States Moving and they answered me promptly. They arrived on time, went right to work, did not slow down, packed and stacked my possessions with great care, and provided me with packing tips for future reference. I am forever grateful for We the States Moving for bailing me out at the last minute. I highly recommend them and would use them again.”


Black Eagle Moving

black eagle moving

Price: $100/hour for two movers (after 2-hour minimum)

Reviews: 5 out of 5 stars (151 reviews) [as of Spring 2023]

What They Offer

  • Loading and unloading
  • Day labor
  • Next-day requests at normal rates
  • Ability to stay at least two hours over the prebooked time
Note: No refund for unused time, no same-day requests.
Black Eagle Movers
Black Eagle Movers

Why I Love Them

Black Eagle has been on the scene for fewer than 10 years, but that’s been plenty of time to back up its service commitment. They make it very clear in their FAQs that the customer’s needs for their move are their first priority. 

Black Eagle also highlights that they have two-valued, highly trained teams of movers, emphasizing their commitment to quality and intimate approach.

What Real Customers Said:

Problem-solving on the spot: They arrived as scheduled and managed to find my apartment in a huge maze of a complex by themselves. I showed them what I had and they made a plan of action that went efficiently. I have a large library and ran out of boxes for books the day before, but they improvised a safe and easy way to get them in the container and for the journey. They also wrapped all of my furniture for protection and used far less space in the container than the last movers I used. Friendly, experienced, and fast. Highly recommend, particularly if you are using a container for the move.”

That magic touch: Enrique and his team have a magical power. They can take your pre-move stress levels and make them disappear! Arrived on time, packed everything beautifully, and seemed to make space in my U-Haul appear out of nowhere. I would highly recommend Black Eagle Movers!”


Thunderhorse Moving

thunderhorse movers

Price: $100/hour for two movers (after 2-hour minimum)

Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars (302 reviews) [as of Spring 2023]

What They Offer

  • Loading and unloading
  • Day labor
  • Movers with a truck
  • Next-day requests at normal rates
  • Ability to stay at least one hour over the prebooked time
  • Same-day requests (w/ 5% charge increase)
Note: No refund for unused time.
Thunderhorse Movers
Thunderhorse Movers

Why I Love Them

Thunderhorse is one of only two companies on this list that offers movers with a truck (Rigo’s is the other). They also call out their piano-packing expertise — undoubtedly a valuable service to musicians.

With long daily hours (8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week), available trucks, and middle-of-the-road pricing ($100/hr.), Thunderhorse is a well-rounded contender.

What Real Customers Said:

A happy homecoming: I moved here from Oregon and this crew of 3 amazing gentleman got the job done quickly in the worst heat wave. They unloaded a 26 ft U-Haul and a 16 ft. truck in 3 hours!!! They brought my items and boxes to each room we specified. They were polite, communicative, and extremely hardworking. 10/10 service! I would not hesitate to use this company again. I only hope I tipped generously enough for their hard work. I will absolutely recommend them to anyone I know who needs help moving or unloading.”

Going the extra mile: Jorge and team arrived on time and ready to go. They even brought an extra person to help make sure everything would get done as quickly as possible, which I appreciated. They were very fast and worked hard. I would recommend (them)!”


LA Movers for Jobs of All Sizes

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From in-state relocations and long-distance moves to loading trucks and unpacking furniture, HireAHelper’s top Los Angeles movers span a range of services — as well as pricing — so you should have luck finding help with your move no matter what your budget and needs are. 

2022 Study: Where Americans Moved To Retire This Year

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Key Findings

  • Over 234,000 Americans moved to retire in 2022, 4% more than in 2021
  • 12% of American retirees moved for “cheaper housing” — highest % since 2014
  • Florida is top destination for retirement moves (~12% of all retirees)
  • Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL (9%) top metro destination for retirement moves
  • Oregon the state retirees most likely to leave — origin state of 10% of retiree moves
  • Retirees of color more than 2x likely to move in search of cheaper housing (20%) than their white counterparts (9%)

retiree 2022In last year’s study of retirement moves, the COVID-19 pandemic was very much the central theme in many people’s moves.

Yet while the effects of the pandemic are still being felt across the country, this year’s driving narrative has been inflation; the economy is of course connected to cost of living, savings, and home prices, all touchstones of the retirement equation.

As American retirees face an increased estimate for the amount of money needed to retire comfortably, 36% of retirees reported their living costs as higher than expected, while 56% expected to continue working after they retire. How has this impacted how many people retired this year? And where did they all go?


On the Rise Again: Number of Retirement Moves Increased in 2022

After a significant dip in 2021, the number of Americans who moved to retire this year has gone up to reach over 234,000. It’s still some way off the pre-pandemic levels, but that’s 4% greater than the number of people who moved to retire last year

American retirees continue to move at an increasing rate, despite pressures associated with the cost of living and the changing home market temperatures in many parts of the country. Knowing that more people are once again beginning to move more for retirement, what are some of their reasons for moving?

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Family and Cheaper Housing: Why Are More Retirees Moving in 2022?

Inflation and the associated rise in the cost of living are likely contributing to why over 12% of American retirees who moved in 2022 said they did so to find cheaper housing.

Housing was second only to “other family reasons” (e.g., “being close to family”). Cost-conscious retirement moves are at their highest level since 2014.

Not coincidentally, retirement moves for “new and better housing” have fallen sharply; upscaling now makes up 10% of all stated reasons for a retirement move, down from 18% as early as 2019. 

 

“In 2022, the Sunshine State attracted almost 16% of all retirees choosing to retire outside their state, the highest of any state.”

 

It’s worth noting that retirees of color were more than twice as likely to move in search of cheaper housing (18%) than their white counterparts (8%).

These overall findings suggest that retirees are more sensitive to inflation than anticipated by many and, while home prices have begun to fall, they are still significantly higher than they were this time last year. 


Florida is Back, Baby! Sunshine State Tops Retirement Move Destinations

After coming in second in our 2020 retirement move study and the same study last year, Florida is once again the top destination for out-of-state retirement moves.

 

“…36% of retirees reported their living costs as higher than expected, while 56% expected to continue working after they retire.”

 

In 2022, the Sunshine State attracted almost 16% of all retirees choosing to retire outside their state, the highest of any state.

North Carolina takes the second spot, with almost one in ten (9.6%) retirement moves crossing state lines going to this state.

A new entrant on this year’s top 10 is the state of Washington. Drawing about 5% of out-of-state retirees, Washington state jumped to the seventh spot of this year’s ranking.


Goodbye Oregon: States Retirees Were Most Likely to Leave

Their destination may be in Florida, but in terms of origin, Oregon was the state retirees were most likely to leave. As one of the most expensive states in the country to live in, Oregon saw as many as 10% of people moving to retire leaving the state.

Maryland placed second in states retirees were most likely to leave, with 7% of local retirement moves heading elsewhere. Idaho, a state we often see get the greatest net gains in our annual reports, had 3.4% of all local retirees leave the state when moving for retirement.


Popular Metro areas: Palm Bay, FL a Hit With Early Retirees

Compared to last year, Americans moving in retirement in 2022 tend to prefer staying in urbanized areas slightly more, according to the data.

 

“… retirees of color were more than twice as likely to move in search of cheaper housing than their white counterparts.”

 

The key beneficiary of retirees’ intention to settle in metropolitan areas is Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, which attracted 9.2% of all retirement moves in 2022 — more than any other metropolitan area.

Having once been named the best place for early retirement (albeit by itself), this area to the southeast of Orlando seems to live up to that reputation; 37% of its newcomer retirees were between the ages of 55 and 64.

In second place, the greater Columbus, OH area drew slightly under 6% of all retirees looking for a new place to live. The Ohioan metro ranking so highly this year is likely another testament to cost of living being one of the priorities for retirees planning their moves in 2022.

Elsewhere, there are two notable metro areas located in Tennessee, Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, TN (5.3%) and Knoxville, TN (3.2%), which combined attracted 8% of retirees who chose to move this year.


Who Is Moving in Retirement in 2022? A Look at the Demographics

Much like last year, 86% of Americans moving in retirement were white, and just 14% were retirees of color. 

Married people accounted for 55% of all retirees relocating in 2022, with the remaining 45% being single, including those widowed, divorced, as well as those who never married.

Finally, while almost three-quarters (74%) of those moving in retirement in 2022 were over 65, some 26% were early retirees in 2022.


Sources and Methodology
Unless otherwise stated, all the data behind the charts in this study were taken from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and its Annual Social and Economic Supplements for 2022. 
To calculate the most moved-in and moved-out states and cities, we took the percentage of all retirees in 2021 who moved or left a state or city. “Early retirees” was operationalized as any retiree aged younger than 65 years old. 
Illustrations by Daniel Fishel

The Stuff That’s Illegal To Bring Into California

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From stunning national parks and perfect sandy beaches to those big-screen Hollywood dreams and beyond, it’s no wonder close to 40 million people like to call California home. But The Golden State is also an economic powerhouse, with a GDP larger than all but a handful of the world’s countries, and a fair chunk of that GDP comes from agriculture. 

Protecting all the fun and farmland begins right at the California border, with officers at sixteen different checkpoint stations enforcing the rules and prohibitions that keep the Golden State running.

To help you cruise through without incident and get to your new home as smoothly and quickly as possible, we’re laying out all the major rules right here about what you can and can’t bring with you.


Pets, livestock, and other animals

animals

 

Here’s some good news: bringing common household pets into California is not a problem at all! Cat owners in particular have it easy: the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) doesn’t require any documentation for domestic felines. On the other hand, dogs require proof of rabies vaccination, but nothing else.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) offers an impressive list of animals that can not be imported into the state. Interestingly, there seem to be no restrictions on the American bison.

 

“One large category of prohibited items might surprise you, and that’s all citrus plants. California is particularly serious about barring all of it, including loose pieces of citrus fruit, from being brought into the state.”

 

The DFW also offers information on restricted species. If you aren’t sure where your iguana stands, check directly with the authorities in your specific region

And for all you farmers and ranchers out there, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has information on importing livestock and poultry.

Licensing your dog or cat in California once you’ve moved in is mandated and enforced locally. Check with your city or county for your specific required actions – preferably before you arrive.

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Alcohol, marijuana, and other cannabis products

As long as you are 21 or older you are permitted to bring alcoholic beverages into California provided it is for personal or household use. Transporting alcohol into the state for commercial or business purposes requires a license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

Persons 21 and older are also legally permitted to possess and use marijuana within the limits of state and (beware) local laws.

 

“[The] AG requires that you…do one of three things within sixty days of moving to California: register your firearm, sell it to a licensed dealer, or sell it to the police or sheriff’s department.”

 

But, there’s a caveat when it comes to transportation of it. Under current federal law, it is illegal to transport marijuana or any cannabis products (like edibles) across state lines. So as you peruse California’s laws regarding using and growing and keeping marijuana in your car, understand that this only applies once you are in-state

In short, feel free to bring your Budwiser along (and make sure you pack and move it correctly), but leave your bud behind.

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Open Container Laws

Article 2 Section 23223(a) of California’s State Vehicle Code states it is illegal for any person operating a motor vehicle on California’s highways or public roads to have in their possession “any bottle, can, or other receptacle, containing any alcoholic beverage that has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.” The same goes for any passenger, as stated in 23223(b).

Section 23225 states that the above may not be kept in a vehicle unless it is in the trunk, or out of reach if there is no trunk, or as a last resort inside a locked container.

The same rules apply to cannabis, in a container or otherwise, as stated in Section 23222.

All the detailed (and strangely repetitive) laws can be found right here, starting with the “no drinking or smoking weed by any driver or passenger” law of Section 23220.

 

Firearms and weapons

california illegal

Make of it what you will, but California is tougher on huckleberries than they are on handguns. As California’s Attorney General states regarding firearms information for new California residents:

 

Any person transporting handguns into California is required under California law to transport those handguns unloaded and in a locked container other than the glove compartment or utility compartment of a vehicle.”

 

In addition, the AG requires that you, as a gun owner, do one of three things within sixty days of moving to California: register your firearm, sell it to a licensed dealer (or to a third party through a licensed dealer), or sell it to the police or sheriff’s department.

While there is no specific mention of the legality of bringing shotguns or rifles into the state, under the Transporting Firearms in California section, the AG explains that these non-concealable firearms are not required to be transported in a locked container, but must be unloaded while in transit.

And just in case you were wondering, it would be best not to try to bring your assault weapon across the California border – or any border for that matter.

 

“Licensing your dog or cat in California once you’ve moved in is mandated and enforced locally. Check with your city or county for your specific required actions – preferably before you arrive.”

 

Unlike firearms (and much more like huckleberries), California “generally prohibits” a wide variety of weapons. California Penal Code 16590 lists nunchucks, cane swords, and lipstick case knives among the wide array of weapons that, if you have them, can land you in hot water. A pity for the aspiring spy, but it’s best to leave all of these behind if you’re moving to California.

 

Plants and produce

california illegal

California is right to be protective of its $30 billion agricultural industry. An outbreak of invasive insects and pests could wreak havoc on the economy of the state, and the supply of fruits and vegetables across the country. Therefore, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is not shy about stopping potential disasters at the border.

Houseplants that have not been grown outside are generally allowed, as long as they are potted in commercially sold soil and not dirt from your old backyard. If a plant shows any sign of infestation or disease it will quickly be confiscated. For more detailed guidelines check out these Q&A by the CDFA 

One large category of prohibited items might surprise you, and that’s all citrus plants. California is particularly serious about barring all of it, including loose pieces of citrus fruit, from being brought into the state. Many other fruits, as well as a number of nuts and vegetables, are also prohibited. This extensive list by the CDFA lays out all the fun and surprises.

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The process — and sometimes the long wait — at California’s border stations can seem like an unnecessary hassle when you’re sitting there in your loaded-up vehicle. But California alone produces a third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of its fruits and nuts. It makes sense for them to be tough.

Doing your part when you make your move to Cali makes their job, and the long lines, a little easier to take.


Illustrations by Marlowe Dobbe

What To Expect When Moving from LA to NYC

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Each year, 9.8% of Americans move—and a third of those relocate to a new state. So if you’re thinking about moving from Los Angeles to New York City, you’re in good company.

But before you ditch the idyllic temps and less-than-idyllic traffic of L.A. for the skyscrapers and snowstorms of NYC, there are some key details to think through: 

  • How much does a cross-country move cost?
  • What exactly does a cross-country relocation entail?
  • What does it mean for your car?

As someone who grew up in L.A., I understand all of the amazing qualities of this sprawling city, but I also know why, after a while, you might want to try something new. After all, New York City is a big place, with 8 million people, 5 boroughs, and about 3,000 “best slice” spots. Here’s what I learned on my move.

From Coast to Coast: What You Need To Know When Moving from LA to NYC

los angeles move

As Frank Sinatra crooned, “If you can make it here, you’ll make it anywhere.” Of course, that implies it takes some fortitude to make it in NYC. (As a Los Angelino, you’ve already got that in spades.) 

Here are a few key differences to consider between the two cities:

  • Transportation: Los Angeles is a driving-centric town; you must have your own vehicle in L.A. But the traffic is atrocious, and it takes so long to get anywhere that you really have to think hard before every RSVP. NYC is all about walking, but the subway is always there as a backup. Although the multicolored Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) map might seem daunting at first, you’ll quickly get to know your local route, and your knowledge from memorizing overnight switchovers and deciphering the conductor’s messages will only grow.
  • “The Vibe”: There might be some culture shock if you’re used to laid-back vibes. They say that New Yorkers are mean and rude and, well, some people are! But to be fair, you can find gruff people anywhere. Both cities offer diverse communities who will likely love to chat about their favorite brunch spots, fitness fads, and what they love or hate about their town.
  • Weather: Are you sure you want to give up the beach? OK, to be fair, you don’t exactly have to! NYC offers access to Coney Island, the Rockaways, and the Hamptons, providing a variety of beach escapes with different vibes. The big change is that you only get to enjoy NYC beaches for a few months out of the year. Then again, there’s something to be said for adding chic coats to your wardrobe.

la to nycWhat’s the cost of living in NYC vs. L.A.?

One thing that New Yorkers love to talk about is how much everything costs. So, let’s talk about money. 

NYC has one of the nation’s highest median incomes: $87,745. 

However, you should also consider that rising housing costs and the overall cost of living counteract some of those take-home benefits. One study shows that when today’s median household income is adjusted against county cost of living, New York County ranks very poorly: No. 3,105 in the U.S.

So, you can’t simply ask, “Is it cheaper to live in L.A. or NYC?” It’s important to really take into account your own lifestyle and the factors that might impact your take-home pay—everything from groceries to movie theater tickets. Both L.A. and NYC are unsurprisingly among the most expensive cities in the United States; L.A. ranks No. 7, Brooklyn comes in at No. 4, and Manhattan owns the dubious honor of No. 1. 

See fast facts below, based on the latest findings from the Council for Community and Economic Research.

  • Typical Monthly Rent (across all rentals):
    • Manhattan: $4,604 
    •  Brooklyn: $3,532
    •  Los Angeles: $2,717
  • Median Home Value:
    • Manhattan: $2.4M
    • Brooklyn: $734,800
    • Los Angeles: $670,700
  • Grocery Premiums:
    • Manhattan: 44% above the national average
    • Brooklyn: 11%
    • Los Angeles: 26%
  • Transportation:
    • Manhattan: 18% above the national average
    • Brooklyn: 11%
    • Los Angeles: 10%

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Moving to “Post-COVID-19” NYC

A few things have changed about living in New York since 2020, several of which might inform a move to NYC. 

One factor is that renters in NYC might need to pay broker fees again. These fees, which can range from one month’s rent to 15% of annual rent, were briefly prohibited in 2020. However, that is a “might”, because it’s possible to sort listings so that only no-fee apartments are displayed in your searches. In some cases, the amount itself may be negotiable, but this is something to discuss with a broker up-front.

 

“Consider that the 40-hour drive from LA to NYC takes about four days on average to complete—and that’s with an average vehicle, not a large moving truck.”

 

Another thing is that prices have steeply increased from the all-time lows of the pandemic. Not only are NYC prices rising, but it’s made bidding on apartments pretty fierce. Prospective renters might offer to pay over the asking rate, sign leases sight unseen, put down deposits in cash, and do other things that would’ve seemed crazy year ago. While competitive, you probably aren’t used to competition this fierce in LA.

How to ensure you get an apartment in NYC

What helps most is to know exactly what you’re looking for so that you know it when you see it, and that you’re ready to act.

Have all of your paperwork on hand so that you can apply for an apartment right away; typical documents include pay stubs (or similar proof of employment), records from the past year’s tax returns, and proof of the money that’s currently in your bank account (or other assets you hold).

The Mover’s Guide for How To Get From Here (L.A.) to There (NYC)

la to nyc move

You’ve made your decision to pack up and head off to the opposite coast. Congrats! Now it’s time for the actual moving part. Although it’s impossible to provide one guide that will suit every situation, this at-a-glance overview offers useful and comprehensive tips for moving to NYC.

How to get your move out of L.A. started

It’s not really possible nowadays to simply decide you’re leaving today. Several experts recommend booking movers two months ahead of your trip, but this is a general rule.  Given this is a long-distance move, you might want to start as far back as three months, especially if you’ll be moving during the busy summer season, which books up fast!

Pack now!

When a friend of mine moved to NYC recently, she started planning a few months out and felt pretty confident, but looking back, she says she could have benefitted from a little extra time to double-check everything, pack a little earlier and slower, and itemize and appraise some of her belongings. Case in point: a few of her boxes went missing. But she had difficulty holding her movers accountable — she wasn’t 100% certain about what specifically was lost because she’d marked them down broadly (i.e., “Kitchen”).

You need to look at NYC places well in advance

Unfortunately, housing inventory doesn’t show up online too far in advance of its availability in NYC. At best, you might see it listed a month early, but that might not feel like a lot of time to find somewhere to live, put in an application, and get everything in order while also planning your move. 

 

“With moving containers, you pack all your stuff up and have it driven cross-country for you!”

 

Consider a temporary location, like an Airbnb

This is why some people find temporary places to stay at first or lease places without ever visiting them. If possible, schedule a weekend trip to NYC about a month ahead of your move and plan long days with back-to-back viewings until you find a place. For this to succeed, you might want to enlist a broker and develop a relationship so that they understand your needs.

Tips to make your NYC move-in day smoother

nyc move

While moving days anywhere might have their little quirks depending on the city, here are some NYC-specific tips for the big day. 

Check and double-check your apartment measurements

Many New York buildings are old (like remodeled tenements), and even new builds are often atypical in size and shape to make the most of limited square footage (Ever hear of “shoebox” apartments?). Measure:

  • Your doorways (they are not all standard)
  • Halls (especially corners)
  • Stairwells (plus, count the flights if it’s a walk-up)

Make sure you can actually get everything into your apartment before you put so much effort into moving your items to NYC!

For move-in, you might need to show your building proof that your movers are insured

This protects the building in the event that any damage occurs to stairwells, hallways, and the like so forth, during the move-in process. Professional moving companies are used to being asked about this, but it might cost a small fee to request a copy of their proof of insurance. (Tip: If the building doesn’t bring this up, don’t ask!)

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How to haul all your stuff to NYC

You have a few options for getting yourself (and all your belongings) to NYC:

  • Do-It-Yourself: Some people think the main advantage of DIY is saving money, but this may or may not be true depending on how you go about it. Consider that the 40-hour drive from LA to NYC takes about four days on average to complete — and that’s with an average vehicle, not a large moving truck. You’ll have to think about paying for gas across about 2,800 miles. And if you park at hotels and motels along the way, you’ll want to make sure your worldly belongings stay secure in your truck while you sleep.
  • All-In-One/Full-Service: Many people enjoy using moving services that do packing, move-out, transport, move-in, and unpacking (or some combination of those options). The obvious perk is convenience because it lets you focus on other aspects of the move. However, it’s important to find a company you trust, since they’re handling every element of your move. 
  • Shipping Containers: A solution like PODS might be ideal for moving to NYC, because PODS gives you both storage and moving in one service, and you only have to load and unload one time. With moving containers, you pack all your stuff up and have it driven cross-country for you! Once your containers get to New York, you have the option to leave them in storage for as long as you need while you find a place to live and get yourself settled. Then, once you’re ready, you just book your container delivery and unload everything into your new place.

How much does it cost to move from L.A. to NYC?

la to nyc move

First of all, give yourself time to price-shop! Do your research, compare prices, and don’t be afraid to bring other company quotes to places you prefer and ask them to match them. 

And don’t assume all moving companies are the same. Some are definitely more trustworthy and experienced than others.

Remember my friend whose items got “lost” when moving to NYC? She later learned that other complaints about that company losing belongings were buried on Google. With a little more time spent, she would have turned those up before losing her entire jewelry box while trying to save a few bucks.

The great thing is that most websites offer free quotes based on your specific details. Here are a few quotes that I turned up for each of the options above using exact NYC addresses:

  • DIY (Rent and Drive a Truck Yourself): $179–$219 (per day, truck rental) + $1,088 (total gas, assuming an average moving truck’s MPG and current national gas price average as of September 2022)
  • Full-Service: $4,290–$7,280
  • Shipping Containers: $3,368–$4,420

The main takeaway is that while the DIY and shipping container options look a lot cheaper than full-service, when all is said and done, the final numbers may not be so far off from each other. It all depends on which company you use, whether or not you choose to drive, how long you take to drive if you choose to, and little add-ons like getting insurance, permits, or adding moving labor

Rather than concentrate entirely on the price tag, decide what really works best for your move — then pursue the best company and a fair price.

What’s the best time of year to move to NYC?

la to nyc moveGenerally, it’s cheaper to move during winter months and holiday weekends when fewer people are moving and demand is lower. 

Demand is highest during a few peak dates in New York City: June 1 or 15 and September 1 or 15.

On and around those dates, it’s more difficult to find movers and rental trucks. But in NYC, there’s more to consider. For example, if you move into a high-rise building, you’ll often need to reserve special parking spots for move-in trucks (loading zones), and you might need to reserve the building’s freight elevators for furniture and big boxes. 

Parking slots can fill up on prime move-in days, meaning that even if your lease is starting on June 1, if you can’t reserve parking and elevators, you might need to bring some of your things on another day in order to meet the building’s move-in policies and codes. If you’re moving into a more relaxed building, these might not be concerns.

Remember, consider available apartment inventory. If you choose a month when fewer people are moving out, there might be fewer vacancies for you to choose from.

“…if you move into a high-rise building, you’ll often need to reserve special parking spots for move-in trucks…and you might need to reserve the building’s freight elevators for furniture and big boxes.”

 

Do I need a car in NYC?

This is a question that always gets asked, and there are, unfortunately, only three real answers:

  • Sell it. Some people have cars in NYC, but the hassle of parking it is typically not worth the convenience of having it. Renting spaces can be anywhere from $200–$500 per month, while street parking requires moving your car to alternate sides of the road almost every day to avoid getting a ticket.
  • Tow it. If you’re driving yourself across the country, you can easily tow your car behind the truck and bring it with you.
  • Drive it. If your belongings are being moved separately, you could take a nice, long road trip and see more of the U.S. Don’t forget to factor in today’s gas prices and your car’s mileage.

How much money should I save before moving to NYC?

It’s hard to give an exact number to save up before you make your move since that figure really depends on where you’re going and what your rent situation will be. But I can give you a list of factors that can help you come up with a number that makes sense.

You’ll need to have enough money to cover:

  • Moving costs (see above)
  • First month’s rent
  • Last month’s rent
  • Security deposit (which is typically equivalent to a month’s rent)
  • Tipping your movers: Make a good impression by tipping your doormen, movers, and anyone who helps you get settled. They will remember, and it will go a long way toward ensuring a more pleasant acclimation period.
  • Cabs/takeout/extras: When you move, you’ll be exhausted, and you’ll spend a few days ordering takeout and taking cars everywhere instead of walking. This is one of those rare times it really does help to throw money at the problem—pad your budget just enough.

All in all, you’re easily looking at ~$5,000+ estimate for moving from L.A. to NYC. That’s between a rental truck or moving service, first and last month’s rent, and other miscellaneous costs. (Even the most extreme DIY scenario will still net a couple grand in expenses.)

Of course, it’s always good to add some buffer in there to cover the extras that are sure to come up. Nothing makes you feel more like a New Yorker than a crazy curveball thrown at you at the moment you least expect it.

Hopefully, this advice helps you feel more confident about moving from L.A. to NYC. Now all you need to do is take the leap.


Illustrations by Meredith Miotke
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