Is There a Best Time To Move?

Whether you’re moving across the country or across the street, transferring from one home to another is a major undertaking you might understandably approach with excitement and dread.

There’s the fun of arranging your furniture and personal belongings in a new house. But first, you have to pack up every one of those belongings and live with at least several days, if not weeks, of upheaval.

Timing your move correctly won’t make packing up your house any easier, but it may make your move less stressful or costly. We asked moving and relocation experts for their insights on the best time to move, and how to save a few bucks in the process.

Is There a Best Time To Move in the U.S.?

Yes, though the choice might be out of your hands. Many variables affect when you schedule a move.

If you’re starting a job in a new city, need to vacate a rental home or apartment by a certain date, or sold your home and need to hand it over to new owners, you can’t pick and choose an optimal moving date.

Bill Berry, a senior sales associate at Corcoran Icon Properties says the housing market and interest rates often dictate moving schedules. “In San Francisco, we always say ‘the time to buy is now,’ so that applies to moving, too,” he says. In a market where you may have to buy or sell when the deal comes along, you might not get to pick an ideal time.

But if you can choose when you move, summer probably makes the most sense. That’s why so many households schedule their moves then.

Nancy Zafrani, general manager of New York City’s Oz Moving & Storage, says for families with school-aged kids, summer is the most logical time to move. Children are between grades and schools and can get acclimated to their new city or neighborhood while school is out of session.

“The busiest months are June, July and August,” says Zafrani. “The busiest days of the month are the 25th through the 2nd.”

Berry adds spring is a popular time to list homes for sale. That timing usually equates to a summer move, which works better for buyers and sellers, particularly if both households have kids.

But Nick Valentino, vice president of market operations for Bellhop, a national local and long-distance moving service, says there’s a Catch-22 to summer moves.

“It’s a much easier time for families to move, and nice weather is a great bonus when you’re moving heavy things outdoors,” he says. “But it’s also the busiest time of year for a move. If you can squeeze your move into the kids’ winter or spring break, you can get the best of both worlds here.”

Why? Because, Valentino says, you may have an easier time finding an available moving company. And you can still move when the kids have a break from school.

Do Season and Weather Make a Difference?

Yes. Weather can enhance or complicate your move depending on where you live or are moving to.

“You need to take into account that inclement weather can impede or delay the process,” says Zafrani.

Adds Valentino: “Winter moving when snow is on the ground is especially challenging. There’s a much greater risk of slips and falls, fragile items will be a lot more brittle in the cold, you’re going to track a ton of snow into your new house and your heating bills will be absolutely through the roof.”

But, Valentino adds, “Moving during a heat wave isn’t much better on a lot of those scores, though.” Sweltering summer heat can be hard on everyone, especially movers, as well as your electricity bill, for all that air conditioning. A torrential rain could damage your possessions. And during hurricane season? All bets are off!

While it’s impossible to control the weather on your moving day, choosing a time of year when the weather is likely to be good is wise.

The flip side? An off-season move might save you money. “The winter is definitely the off-season,” says Zafrani, “so price-wise you can likely get a better deal.” Off-peak, mid-month dates are also good times to score a discount, Zafrani says.

Valentino agrees. “Winter is definitely a slower season for us, and while we don’t universally offer them, we are much more likely to offer discounts during the winter months,” he says.

North American Moving Services says for winter and spring moves, moving companies may offer discounts of up to 30%, although those prices start to climb again in May. So moves scheduled outside of high summer and away from the first of the month are worth considering. Zafrani adds off-peak moves often mean the moving crew is more rested, less stressed and better prepared to handle the task efficiently.

If you’re planning an off-season move and start to get quotes from movers, be sure to ask about off-season rates compared to summer rates. Or better yet, ask for rates for two time periods — one high season and one low.

Is There a Best Time To Move to a New Neighborhood?

Yes — spring or summer.

Anyone who’s ever moved knows the transition from one home to another doesn’t end when you unpack the last of the boxes. You need time to learn your new community and really start to feel at home. That’s another reason why warm weather months are a favorite time to move.

“People are outdoors, tending to their lawns and gardens as well as barbecuing and entertaining outdoors,” says Zafrani. Adds Valentino: “It’s definitely easier to get to know your neighbors when they’re spending more time outside, which can make the spring and summer months an especially good time to move.”

There will be more kids playing in local parks and more dog owners out walking. Whether you’re moving with kids or not, spring and summer still take top marks as the best times to move. But be sure to book that moving company early, as they’re likely to be busy!