Survey Results: Moving Trends During COVID-19 Pandemic

Not only has COVID-19 changed the landscape of our daily routines, it has also influenced decisions on lifestyle, specifically, where and how we want to live going forward.

Reasons for Moving During COVID-19

We asked our customers in a post-move survey if the pandemic affected their decision to move. Of those customers who moved, since COVID began, 15% cited COVID-19 as a contributing factor in their decision to move.

Of those surveyed, top reasons for moving included to improve their personal health and well-being, and to be closer to family. Many customers saw it as an opportunity to make a significant life change.  Customers shared interesting insights as they reflected on their reasons to move: 

COVID made us realize that living closer to family outweighs weather and the cost of living. Working from home for an extended period of time allowed us to make the move.

Kristen T. 
Moved from Tampa, FL, to New Haven, CT 

COVID-19 expedited a goal of ours to find a healthier work/life balance and to co-locate between complimentary cities.

Ryan B.
Boston, MA, to Washington, D.C. 

Being alone, away from family made me realize how much I miss them and need to be near them in times of crisis.

Julie B.
New Orleans, LA, to Mountain View, CO 

People also appear to be reevaluating their work environment since the onset of COVID-19. Now more than ever, the opportunity to work remotely, (and we mean from anywhere!) is a viable, sustainable option for companies and their employees.

Consequently, the freedom to work remotely may be inspiring commuters to redefine where “home” is. Employees may no longer be required to seek housing in the cities where the cost of living is so significant and not sustainable. In addition, advanced video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Skype have made it easy and affordable for companies to continue to conduct business on a global scale.  

Living expenses in a high-rise condo, homeowner association fees, real estate taxes, and other ‘big city expenses’ were not giving us value due to COVID. We moved back to Michigan where there is a lower cost of living.

Bill & Carol B.
Chicago, IL, to Grand Haven, MI 

Given the remote environment and projected vision of remote working conditions, our family opted to move out of the city to a beach location with a smaller footprint and less stressful/busy community.

Sam D.
Dallas, TX, to Pass Christian, MS 

To that, the ever-evolving employment landscape played a substantial role in our customers’ COVID-related moves with many claiming that a change in employment status or work arrangement influenced their decision to move.

I could not find a job where I was because many places were not hiring due to COVID. I had to expand my search to out of state.

Karen W.
Denver, CO, to Tucson, AZ

Now that my husband and I are both remote, we had the flexibility to finally leave New York City. We also needed more space for our toddler.

Jaime G.
Brooklyn, NY, to Hartford, CT 

15% of UniGroup customers cite COVID as a contributing factor in their decision to move.

Top COVID-related reasons for moving:

• Personal and family health and well-being
• To move closer to family
• Change in employment status or work arrangement
• Family’s health and well-being
• Desire to expand living space

What are you waiting for? Make your move.

Since the onset of COVID-19, have you considered moving closer to family or to a place that offers you a healthier, more relaxed lifestyle?

If you are planning a move during the COVID-19 outbreak or have already secured a move date with a professional moving company, you may want to consider some additional actions to help support a safe move. Find out more with our Top 10 Tips for Moving Safely During COVID-19.