Choosing where to live your life is an incredibly personal decision. But, why do people move? What is the most likely reason for a person to uproot their life and relocate? Here’s what our survey results found.
Making Moves Across the United States
Out of the hundreds we surveyed across the United States, we found that over 50% of people have lived in their current location for over 10 years.
The next most common timeframe was 3-5 years, with only 17% of respondents selecting that option. The most common reason for people choosing to live in their current city was family or the fact that they had grown up there. Only 14% of people say that they moved to where they lived for a job.
Major Moving Motivations
However, in spite of personal connections linking people to their homes so often, the most common reason people say they would move would be either for a new job or the opportunity to move to their dream location.
It appears that while people tend to stay in their comfort zones, they will relocate if a better option comes along.
Making Moves to Settle Down: At What Age Do People Settle?
Many people have a vision that at some age they will settle in a single location and put down roots. Most people believe that this will happen for them between the ages of 24-26, and the next largest group of people (17%) don’t believe they will settle down until they are over 36.
How attached are people to their current city?
43% of people say that they are only somewhat attached to their current city, but the next largest group of respondents say that they are very attached to where they live. This seems to directly correlate with the idea of deciding whether or not to settle down. Some love where they are now, while others want to wait before putting down roots.
Hometown Love: Why Do People Move Back Home?
As kids, most people want to live anywhere but their hometown, but it seems like this attitude changes as life goes on. 40% of people say that they are open to the idea of living in their hometown and 28% of people say that they live there now. Only 26% of people overall are completely opposed to the idea of moving back to their hometown.
Who is most likely to move home?
Men and women had very similar opinions about moving back to their hometown. The generations, however, were split very decisively in comparison. Baby Boomers were by far the most likely to say that they would never move back to their hometown. Gen X was by far the least likely to currently live int heir hometown, but most likely of the generations to say they might move to their hometown at some point. Millennials were the most likely to currently live in their hometown and the least likely to say that they will never move back to their hometown.
There were quite a few differences between regional preferences. The Northeast and the West were very likely to say that they might move back to their hometown at some point. Meanwhile, people in the South were most likely to currently live in their hometown. People in the Midwest were the most likely to say that they will never move back to their hometown.
Making Moves to Make More Money
For the vast majority of people, moving to a city without a job is a major dealbreaker. Men and women agree on this front, as do Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials, and regions across the US.
Relocating Without a Raise
On the other hand, many people are willing to move for a job that doesn’t give a raise or promotion. In fact, out of every demographic we surveyed (Gender, Region, and Generation), Baby Boomers were the only people more likely to say that they would not consider relocating for a job without a promotion or raise.
Over a third of people (36%) say that they would move for less than a 20% raise. One in four people say that they would move for a 20% raise, and 18% of people say that they would need at least a 50% raise to move from their current location.
Moving For a Job, by Generation
Overall, Baby Boomers were the least likely to relocate for a job, most likely because they are approaching or currently at retirement age. Gen X is the most demanding overall. Most respondents in that generation say they would require a 20% to 50% raise to move. Millennials were the least demanding, as the most likely generation to say that they will move for a 5% to 15% raise.
Making Moves for a Significant Other
Overall, people take a fairly practical stance on relocating for love. In every demographic breakdown, the most common timeframe they want to date for first is 1-2 years. Over 30% of people in every category chose that as the milestone they would need to hit before considering moving to the same city as someone they are dating.
The cost of living does play a large role in the decision to move in with a significant other according to our results. In fact, 3 out of 4 people say they are more likely to move in with a significant other sooner if they could split a high cost of living.
Romantic Relocation Decisions
When deciding who should move closer, the most significant factor tends to be which city both parties like best. Coming in just behind were both employment-based factors: highest salary or most opportunity for growth.
Almost 60% of people find a long distance relationship more stressful than relocating to live with their partner.
So, Why Do People Move?
Overall, people seem to approach the decision to relocate with their heads rather than their hearts. They seem to see moving as a big commitment. After all, it means changing their routine, finding a new home, storing their belongings and making new friends. But overall, people are willing to make the change if the payoff is worth it. In many cases, all it takes is a chance at a job or a person to spend their lives with.
