The Hidden Perks of Moving During Spring

Not everyone has the luxury to choose when they want to move, but if you’re one of those fortunate souls with no work-related restrictions, no pressing obligations and (hopefully) no one kicking you out of your home, then this post is for you.

But first, let’s ask the question: “Why are the summer months so popular for moving?”

Why do more people choose to move in the summer, anyway?

Most people say they choose to move in the summer because of the weather; Spring has a reputation for April showers and unpredictable weather. But while moving in the rain isn’t much fun, doing it in the heat of the summer can take a toll on your moving team and yourself. 

Another reason I used to hear people give for moving in summer was that “the days are longer,” but this is not quite true. In reality, the days are just as long at the end of April and the beginning of May as they are in the middle of August. (What is true, however, is that you gain more sunlight after daylight savings time in March, if your area observes it.) If you’re curious, the longest day of the year is June 21st, and from there the days gradually get shorter. 

But here’s probably the biggest reason summer months are so popular: the overall housing market heats up with the warmer months and cools off with the onset of fall. The National Association of Realtors tells us the busiest home-buying months are May to August, mirroring the busiest months for moving. This may be one factor that makes moving in the summer more attractive.

Moving in the spring can get you a better deal

With the majority of moves happening in summer – a whopping 60% of annual relocations occur between May and August – everyone in the moving industry is busier than a vacuum cleaner on a dirt floor. 

 

“While most people will be frantic to book a moving service during the summer, spring months usually see a lower volume that leaves plenty of room for getting more out of your money.”

 

This means demand for moving services is sky-high in the summer. You might feel like you are at the very mercy of your moving company—assuming you find one with an opening for you! (Aside from being a mover, I also worked as an operations manager, and I can still hear the desperate voices of people calling in June to see if we could move them the following week. I can also still hear myself having to tell them sorry.)

But the story is completely different during the spring! Moving companies are not as busy, so it is way more likely to find an available crew when you need it before June, and perhaps even negotiate a better deal. 

Moving companies offer more flexibility on moving dates in the spring

Among renters, the end of the month is when most leases are up, making the last days of the month by far the busiest. Even in spring,  it can be tough to land a good crew on the last days of the month. In the summer, it’s like The Hunger Games.

Having worked with hundreds of movers over the years, I can flat-out tell you that not all movers are the same. If you can nail down the best movers in town on the date you most want to move, you’ll have covered two of the most important logistical concerns you’ll face.

The bottom line is that a less-busy industry – in general – means more movers will be available for you to choose from, on the exact date you want or even need to move.

Rental trucks and storage facilities also have more availability

Truck rental companies also have their peak season during the summer.

In the summer, rental truck prices go up, availability goes down, and – depending on who you are dealing with – you may experience a noticeable lack of attention being given to both you and the condition of your vehicle.

This is also true for storage facilities. Keep in mind that storage might not be so easy to find, especially those in the vicinity of a college or university, who already have an added customer base during the summer. By moving in the spring, you can increase your chances of snagging a decent (or any!) self storage space before the summer vacation rush. You might also be able to get a better special deal that you wouldn’t usually find during the summer.

A Few More Things Spring Moves Impact

Moving with children

People with children are often inclined to move during the summer when school is out. I understand this approach, but another way to look at the situation is to consider the advantage of placing your children in a new school before the school year is out:

• They will have more chances to make new friends sooner
• They’ll be occupied while you navigate the settling-in process
• The children will begin the summer in their new town already knowing all the other kids

Not to overlook the challenges a new environment can bring, but children are resilient, sometimes much more than we parents give them credit for. My son, who entered a new school mid-year, is one example.

Most military moves are scheduled during the summer

Along with the rest of the country, the military conducts the majority of their personnel moves in the summer. This puts even more of a strain on the industry. There has been a discussion recently of the military spreading out their moves more evenly over the year, but either way, when the military calls, the movers move them. If you live in the vicinity of a military base or facility, you now have another reason to try to avoid a summer move.

Think about your moving team

Movers’ superhuman spirit can seem infinite, but it is not. As a mover I approached every day, every job wanting to give top-notch service and so did most of the guys I’ve worked with. But even the best movers are human.

During one summer I worked a two-month stretch with exactly one day off. Of course, as demanding as the summer season can be, this in no way means your movers will not perform beyond all your hopes and expectations. It’s just that in the spring, after a long, slow winter, your movers will not only be fresh, but eager to get moving again.

You may not have the luxury of choosing when to move. But if you do, don’t pass on spring without giving it a good long look.