Pros and Cons of Moving During Winter
If you’re considering moving during winter, we’re here to help you weigh the pros and cons. There are several to consider. The weather can make things tricky for movers, but they aren’t nearly as busy in those holiday months. If you’re selling and buying a house, you won’t get into a bidding war, but neither will your prospective buyers! Your kids may have to adjust to a new school in the middle of the year, but your family can settle in by the time spring rolls around. We could go on and on listing the options you have to weigh, but let’s get into some of the details.
Pro: Flexible Moving Dates
Summer is the busiest time of the year for movers by far. The favorable weather and time off from school are usually enough for families to pack up and head to a new home between May and September. With so many people moving in those few months, moving companies are busy. Moving crews will often move two or three families locally in one day. It’s hard work and they get compensated well for it. With so many people moving in the summer, not everyone can move exactly when they want with their preferred company.
If you read our article on how to avoid moving scams, you know that there are a lot of companies out there that will tell you just about anything you want to hear. However, after doing some research, you may find that there are only a handful of companies you trust to do business with. In addition, those reputable companies, including Safebound Moving & Storage, might not always be able to perfectly accommodate your preferred moving dates.
In the winter, these companies aren’t nearly as busy. So it’s almost guaranteed that whichever days you pick, the movers will be able to accommodate. Also, lots of moving companies off seasonal discounts and deals.
Con: Moving with Kids in School
Moving with kids is stressful enough. But if you’re moving locally, this might not be a problem. Moving a few neighborhoods over usually won’t mean you have to enroll the kids in a new school. But if you’re moving to an entirely new area, the move can be extra stressful for the kids. And stressed-out kids can quickly turn into stressed-out parents.
Moving in the winter can be especially difficult if you have teenagers. The last thing they’re going to want to do during the holidays is to pack everything up and leave everything they’ve ever known. So they’re going to be emotional and not very happy with you. Of course, those feelings will fade, but it might be a bumpy road for a while.
Pro: Motivated Real Estate Agents
Like the moving industry, the housing market is generally a lot less busy in the winter months. So, one pro of moving during the winter is that you’ll get the best deals on houses. There aren’t a lot of houses on the market and there aren’t a lot of buyers, either. That means real estate agents are eager to sell buyers a house. On average, homes sell for 10% cheaper in the winter than they do in the summer.
Con: Cheaper Selling Homes
Didn’t we just list this as a pro to moving in winter? Yes, but it can also be a con if you’re a home seller for all of the reasons we listed earlier. Homes typically sell cheaper in the winter. Real estate agents will usually make better deals for buyers because they need to get homes sold to make a living. Of course, if you aren’t selling a home, this aspect is solely a pro. Also, the property you’re trying to sell might not look the best during the winter, especially if you’re further north. Bare trees, brown grass, and dull gardens aren’t the most attractive to homebuyers.
Pro: Enjoy The Summer
Although our family-owned moving company strives to provide stress-free moves, moving isn’t always a walk in the park. There are plenty of fears, anxieties, and qualms that swirl around in the head of someone planning a move. Summer is supposed to be a time of relaxation, a time to spend outdoors with family and friends. When you move in the winter, you have plenty of time to get settled into your home before the lovely weather rolls around. After all, winter is meant to be used to get cozy in your home.
Con: Missing Winter Holidays
This con of moving during the winter should be an obvious one. Nobody wants to risk missing the holidays with their friends and family. The holidays are usually the best thing about the cold winter months. Even if you don’t miss the holidays, you might not be able to fully appreciate them because you’re stressed about the move.
Pro: Time Off
This pro especially applies if you’re moving locally. Since many companies briefly close for holidays in November, December, and January, you might not have to take much time off work to plan and prepare for your move.
Con: Unfavorable Moving Weather in Winter
The obvious issue for moving in the winter is the weather. Sidewalks and roads could be icy. It might be snowing. If you can, salt your sidewalks before anyone starts hauling stuff. A professional moving company will take care to protect your furniture and items so the weather doesn’t affect them.
Ultimately, deciding when to move is up to you. Weigh all of these pros and cons of moving during winter carefully to determine what’s best for you and your family. Then, when you are ready to move, Safebound Moving & Storage can provide a stress-free move for you and your family. We go above and beyond to make your move as easy as possible no matter what time of year you move.
