People relocate for various reasons, and they often pick the places they move to based on those reasons. But there are some recurring patterns when it comes to widespread movement trends. These determine which areas are the most popular for relocating. More than one in ten Americans migrated in the first half of 2021. The economy, remote work options, and a desire for less dense places are some of the common reason. So it is hardly surprising that U.S. migration trends have changed. Over 35 million addresses changed in the past year, both permanent and temporary. So, how are U.S. movement patterns and trends shaping up thus far in 2022?
Affordability
A survey revealed that consumers were moving to regions with a lower cost of living. It was from on-average property price data from Realtor.com. There is no doubt that there are reasons to blame for the high cost of housing in America's major cities. This reason also includes the unemployment rates brought on by the pandemic. Additionally, if individuals are relocating anyhow, they would demand more for their money. Many states in the rankings of where people are moving have lower living costs. Many Americans who resided in expensive locations have been able to move. They went to cheaper cities because of the growth of remote work. This U.S. migration trend shows why more people have moved into suburban areas. They chose those than metropolitan areas, which saw 82% outbound of residents.
Weather
Many individuals desire to relocate to areas where the grass is always greener. People moved in 2021 because of the desire for a better climate. It was among those seeking better weather and those getting away from climate change. Of course, better weather does not mean the same thing to everyone. But the increase in migration in the South and West of the United States suggests something. It explains that many movers may favor leaving cold climates for warmer ones.
Working From Home
It is impossible to ignore how the pandemic has influenced trends over the past two years. It is still doing so today for a sizable part of the American workforce. The shift toward remote work has been one of its most notable effects. After the pandemic, 40% of workers plan to continue remote work in some capacity. The reason is that many people are no longer tied to their jobs and can relocate anywhere they want. As a result, remote employment is becoming more desirable as more Americans do it.
Work from home saves employees money and time. Flexible scheduling lets them put their families, health, or other concerns first. For example, your client may not have a job that allows them to work from home and live wherever they choose. There are many remote jobs in the towns like Cleveland, Chattanooga, and Salt Lake City. It makes these desirable cities places to relocate to in 2022.
Retirement
Large inflows throughout the pandemic happened in Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. At the border of these states, the Appalachian Highlands have experienced a resurgence. They offer a plethora of outdoor pursuits, undulating hills, and views of Mountains. Additionally, all three have ranked among the top 10 places to retire. The enormous baby boomer experienced 10,000 retirements a day before the pandemic. Thus hastening boomers' transition to retirement may mean a massive incoming move. The inbound is especially strong in North Carolina. Its inflow has increased by 3% since 2021. And many of its fastest-growing cities, like New Bern, are havens for retirees.
Moving Close to Family
People stay in their hometowns or return because of their proximity to family and loved ones. And this fact has not changed in recent years. In fact, 30% of individuals who decided to relocate in 2021 cited proximity to family as their main motivation. Moreover, data show that even people who relocated to a new zip code last year tended to remain local. Sources compared the cities people left and the cities they moved to this year. Most people moved within 30 miles in four of the top five cities with the most move-outs.
Final Thoughts
The remote working and outdoor activities lifestyle has not vanished. It persisted even though the pandemic may be in the rearview mirror now. Now, it has only grown more powerful. Even if fewer people are transferring, the trends that emerged persist. The trends early in the pandemic have continued through the first three quarters of 2022. The weather is excellent in small cities in the southeast, where there are low costs and a ton of recreation. Movers are embracing their well-being in these places. More retirees and remote workers choose their location based on their lifestyles. Taxes and living costs also factor in as people embrace the new normal rather than access to transportation.
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