Best Time To Move, When Is It?

Best Time To Move, When Is It?

People are moving all of the time so it might come as a surprise to know that there are better times to move than others. If you can wait to move, consider doing it at an optimal time of the year, month, week, and even day. Doing so could save you a significant amount of money and overall make your move a lot easier and more convenient for you and your entire family.

Best Time of the Year

The peak season for moving is in the summertime. According to AMSA, about 70% of moves happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The warmer weather can make it easier to move and the high demand can result in a higher price for the home you’re selling. Despite most people moving during this season, there can be some drawbacks to it. Since moving companies are busier than usual compared to other seasons, the cost of moving is higher. In fact, you could end up paying 30% more than you have to if you move during peak season. If you are able to wait, consider moving outside of that time period so you can save money.

Out of the four seasons, winter is by far the best season to move in because it has the cheapest moving rates. The moving companies also have much more availability. However, the weather could prove to be an obstacle in your move, especially if you are moving long distances. The fall season is the second-best season to move in. The weather is much more agreeable, and it is right after peak moving season, so rates have already dropped. Fall is when school starts and is right before the holidays, though, so moving during this time could be stressful and a financial burden. Spring is another potential option for your move; it is right before peak season begins and the weather should be fair.

Best Time of the Month

Once you decide which season you are going to move in, you need to pick which month. As it goes with the seasons, the best months to move are the middle of September through April. Whichever month you choose, it’s better to move during the middle of it. This is when the demand and rates should be the lowest. If you can, try avoiding the first of the month since that’s when most leases begin and demand is higher.

Best Time of the Week

The middle of the week is the best time to move; if you can’t do that, consider any weekday (Monday through Thursday). This could potentially be difficult, especially if you and your family have work, school, or other obligations. However, the amount of money and extra hassle that you could save from not moving on a weekend could make taking a couple of days off during the week worth it.

Best Time of the Day

Unsurprisingly, the best time of the day to move is in the morning. If you hire a moving company, they will want to come in the early hours so they can get a head start on transporting your things. If you’re moving in the summer, starting in the morning will enable you to get a lot of work done before the temperatures start to climb for the day. You’ll also get the most use out of the daylight if you start in the morning hours.

There are benefits and drawbacks to moving during any time period so you have to do your research and decide when moving will work best for you. Generally, if you want to save some money and have some more flexibility with your move, try doing it during mid-week, off-season, and in the morning.