When Is the Best Time of Year to Move?
- Jenny Kakoudakis
- Jun 19
- 4 min read
Moving is a big decision. When you’ve found the perfect place to live, timing is likely one of the first things on your mind. There are certain seasonal advantages to moving during particular times of the year.
Learn why some think particular seasons are the best time of year to move and why others believe some seasons are less optimal. You’ll feel confident in your timing when you choose your relocation date based on key factors.
1. Winter Might Reduce Your Down Payment
Cold weather months aren’t only for snuggling by fireplaces or drinking hot chocolate. They can also be a great time to relocate.
Real estate experts note that the price of homes is 16% higher in June than in winter due to the peak spring buying season. You might find your dream home for a fraction of the cost because fewer people move during winter.
You’ll also get to tour homes decorated with seasonal decorations, which adds a bit of fun to the moving experience.
Pros:
● After moving in, you won’t have to worry about landscaping work for a while.
● Holiday specials could create discounts on boxes, moving trucks and other supplies.
● No one worries about intense heat harming their belongings en route to a new home during cold weather months.
Cons:
● Snowstorms could make driving more dangerous and complicate move-in activities.
● Carrying heavy belongings into a new house might be riskier if your fingers get numb quickly or sidewalks are covered in ice.
● Winter has the shortest daylight hours of the year, so you might have to drive in the dark to reach your destination.
2. Spring Can Be a Great Time to Relocate
Spring’s warm weather inspires everyone to get outside. Carrying boxes and furniture out to moving trucks is much more pleasant with a refreshing breeze. You’ll even get a beautiful view because everything will bloom while you drive to your new home.
You could also channel your spring cleaning energy while packing. Donate or throw out your old belongings before sorting what you want to keep into moving boxes. You might take up residence in your new home with less clutter, creating a clean slate that’s easier to decorate.
Pros:
● The weather likely won’t be too hot or cold while loading your moving truck.
● Dangerous weather seasons typically start later in the year, so you might not deal with any climate emergencies around your move-out date.
● College grads relocate in the spring, so you might find limited-time deals on moving supplies or rentable trucks.
Cons:
● Pollen season could start during your move, which may cause sneezing and itchy eyes as you pack your truck.
● Spring rain showers can happen in the mornings or afternoons, so they might be harder to avoid on your move-out day.
● Moving in spring would mean parents of kids or teens would be relocating them during some of the school year’s most significant events, like prom.
3. Summer Provides Sunny Moving Days
People love planning summer adventures, which makes it a great time of year to move. You’ll feel inspired to hit the road and make new memories. You might even have more time off if you work in education.
Many people relocate in the summer, so the housing market changes quickly during the season. While shopping for a new home takes four and a half months on average, you could find the perfect place to live faster as homes quickly enter and leave the summer market.
Pros:
● If you have kids, they’re going to be out of school. Settling into a new place won’t disrupt their classes.
● Seasonal thunderstorms typically happen in the afternoons, so you might feel more confident about keeping your belongings dry during an early-morning move.
● Public events happen frequently during summer, so your family could make new friends faster after arriving at your destination.
Cons:
● Summer’s heat is intense, so you might need extra water breaks while loading and unloading your belongings.
● You may face more highway traffic as people travel for their summer vacations.
● Given that grass and weeds grow faster in summer, anyone moving to a house with a big yard will have to jump into landscaping responsibilities soon after arriving.
4. Fall’s Cool Temperatures Inspire Big Moves
Autumn is a beautiful season for relocating. Summer thunderstorms disappear, and cool breezes return. Fall even has numerous holiday weekends. Consider using some of them for your relocation since they may count as paid time off.
Contact a local moving company as soon as possible if you want to sell your home during autumn. The team may have more open dates because college students have finished moving and are already back on campus.
Pros:
● The mild daily weather poses fewer heat-related dangers like dehydration and sunburns.
● Kids who start new schools early in the fall have more opportunities to make friends since there is still plenty of the school year to go.
● You might see a region’s most beautiful weather by touring potential homes during the fall.
Cons:
● Depending on where you live or relocate, you could have to move during autumn’s hurricane season.
● Daylight hours start shrinking in the fall. The extent is dependent on where you live, but you may have a shorter daily time frame for loading and unloading boxes.
● Using a holiday weekend for your relocation might require sacrificing your annual traditions.
Pick the Best Time of Year to Move
Every season has pros and cons for anyone changing homes. Consider your favorite times of the year and if they have any significant moving benefits, such as seasonal discounts on supplies.
When you match those perks with factors like the best time for your kids to switch schools, you’ll have the best experience possible when you hit the road.
Our writers like to blog about the home and garden. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs.
