11 times. This is the number of times you’ll most likely move houses during your lifetime.

For most people, especially those who have lived in the same place for a long time, moving is an exciting time. The prospect of starting a new life in a new neighborhood, city, state, or even country is enough to give you several bouts of excitement and anxiety in equal measure.

However, moving houses has its downsides. It can be expensive, time-consuming, and super stressful. Unless you have a good reason to move, you might not feel compelled to pack up your bags and leave.

That’s why, in this article, we’re sharing some of the top reasons for moving – just in case you aren’t so sure whether moving is the right thing for you to do right now.

You Want to Buy a House for the First Time

America is a nation of homeowners, but this isn’t to say there aren’t any renters. On the contrary, the number of tenants has been on the rise, reaching a 50-year high in 2017.

Renting comes with its fair share of advantages: it’s more affordable and the flexibility it offers is unapparelled – you can move on a whim without worrying about the property you’re leaving behind.

In the long-term, though, it makes more economic sense to buy a home. So, if the time for you to buy your first home has come, there’s no doubt you’re ready to move from your rented house.

Or, perhaps you’ve been living with your parents. The time to flee the nest has come and you’re ready to buy a place you can call your own. Don’t feel sad about moving if becoming a homeowner is the reason.

You’re Upsizing or Downsizing

Buying a first home is a big step, but it might not be your forever-home. In fact, you might find that your first home no longer suits your living needs after a couple of years.

For instance, if you bought the home when you were single, you probably looked for a house that’s just sizeable enough for your lifestyle. A few years later, you start a family and suddenly realize that you need extra bedrooms. Or you purchase more cars and realize that the one-car garage isn’t what you want.

Upsizing is a common reason people move houses. If your current home is now feeling cramped, you have two options: try to decongest it or move to a bigger home.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are people who’re looking to downsize. This is usually common among boomers whose kids have now left the nest. Suddenly they’re left with acres of space around the home. In this case, downsizing becomes a viable option.

Or maybe you’re facing financial pressures in life. Perhaps you took too big of a mortgage and your current finances can’t enable you to pay up. Moving into a small home makes perfect financial sense.

Unlike renters, though, you can’t just pack your bags and leave when you already own a home. You have to sort it out first.

You could rent it out or sell it. A company like webuyhouse.com can quickly give you an offer if you’re looking to get rid of it fast.

A New Job in a New Location

People, especially millennials, are always changing jobs. Whether you’ve been promoted and sent to another branch in a different city or state or you’ve found a new job with another company in a different location, you have to move closer to that location.

If you’re a renter, there’s nothing much to worry about. Just give your landlord a move out notice. But if you’re living in your own home, you have to take care of the property before leaving.

That being said, it’s super important to evaluate the new job offer before accepting it. Relocating is a big change, especially if you had already settled in your current home. You don’t want to take up another job and relocate only to find that the job isn’t what you wanted or that the new location isn’t ideal for your lifestyle.

Relationship Changes

There are a couple of ways changes in your family relationships can influence your need to move.

Let’s start on a positive side: if you’ve found a partner and you’re planning to move in together, one of you is going to need to move houses. This entirely depends on what you agree with your partner.

On the negative side, a separation or divorce can cause you to move houses. You can move out if a partner is being abusive or simply because you no longer want to spend your time in a house that reminds you of your relationship.

Sometimes you have no choice but to move. For example, if you live in a communal property state and you’re divorcing, you will need to sell the house so you can share the proceeds if you can’t agree on how to manage the house without selling it.

The death of a loved one can also necessitate a move. For some people, continuing to live in the same house they shared with a loved one who is now deceased can bring them unending grief.

Time to Consider Moving Houses?

Sometimes moving houses is an option. Other times you have no choice but to pack your bags and leave. It all depends on your individual circumstances. But if you were not sure whether to move or not, you might consider moving if your reason has been mentioned above.

Keep reading our blog for more lifestyle tips and insights.

Jane