Best Time to Move by Season
Most Americans move from mid-May through mid-September—or between Memorial Day and Labor Day—which is the peak moving season. However, the best time of the year to move is during the off-season, which is mid-September through April. Moving during the off-season gives you more availability and scheduling flexibility with professional movers like Affordable Moving, since you won’t have to compete with as many individuals or families for time slots. Additionally, fewer moving shipments mean faster delivery times for your belongings. Rates may also be lower during the off-season than in peak season.
The best time to move with a moving company will depend on your personal situation and preferences, but here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of moving by season.
Summer Moves
Summer is the busiest time of year for professional moving companies. Many people choose to move during the summer months when the weather is more favorable and school is out of session.
Most people have greater flexibility during the summer months and can take time off work to plan and execute their moves. This is also the time of year when many leases end or begin, and more homeowners list their homes on the market, giving buyers a better chance at finding their new homes.
While summer may be the perfect time to move for some people, it can also be more difficult to hire a reliable moving company like Affordable Moving with experienced movers on the days and times you prefer. Depending on where you live, there’s also a risk of overheating, and you’ll need to take precautions to ensure children, pets, and special items are safe from the heat.
Fall Moves
Fall can also be ideal for moving. Not only is the weather a little more forgiving than in winter and summer, but there’s also less demand for professional moving companies, giving you more flexibility when scheduling your moving day.
Moving in autumn has several drawbacks. If you live near a university campus, the influx of college students could make apartment hunting more challenging. If you have school-age children, moving in fall could result in missed school days and greater difficulty adjusting to the new school year—especially if they need to switch schools.
Certain fall months can also be more difficult than others. For example, if you move in late fall, you may have to worry about rain or snow on your moving day, depending on your location. Plus, there’s the holiday season, which could put a damper on your moving day if you need to miss seasonal get-togethers and family gatherings.
Winter Moves
Moving in the cold, dark winter months isn’t ideal, but it is the most cost-effective moving season, and you will have your pick of moving companies and dates. Your belongings may also fare better in the back of a cold moving truck than they would in the scorching midsummer heat.
Winter doesn’t come without its disadvantages. Unless you live in a consistently warm area such as the South, you could battle snow, ice, and winter storms on your moving day. Not only could it be cold and slippery getting boxes into the truck and then into your new home, but weather conditions could also make driving dangerous. Winter also gives you fewer daylight hours to work with, and exposure to cold, damp air or any significant temperature changes could damage your valuables.
Winter moving requires preparation and safety. Invest in high-quality packing materials for items that are more susceptible to cold temperatures. Be flexible if you need to reschedule due to weather conditions and make sure your driveway, paths, and doorways are clear of any snow and ice on your moving day. You should also cover your floors with protective materials to ensure carpeting and hardwood floors aren’t damaged by water or muddy boots.
Spring Moves
Aside from a few spring showers, spring weather is usually fairly mild, and it’s a great time of year to start fresh. Not only is the weather more tolerable, but there’s still less demand for moving companies than in summer.
Spring is also a good time to put your home on the market, and beautiful spring listing photos could help attract buyers. Another advantage is that you get to miss the hectic peak season and reserve the summer for settling into your new home.
However, if you have kids, they’re typically still in class at this time of the year, and moving right before the end of the school year could be a rough transition. The weather may be nicer than winter, but spring also means rain in many regions. A rainy day could make moving a little more challenging.
Similar to winter, wet weather conditions mean it’s important to consider your floors when you’re moving in and out of the house. Pollen counts are also up at this time of the year and being outside could trigger seasonal allergies.
