Pros and Cons of Moving During Different Seasons

By Jessica Ryan

Updated: Jan 30, 2020

6 min read

Fact-checked by Martin Panayotov

Reviewer & editor

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Every season has its own beauty. And its specific benefits. And its unique challenges.

So, when scheduling a move, you need to take into consideration all the peculiarities that different seasons have to offer in order to choose the best time to relocate (provided that you have the liberty to choose, of course). It is not only the weather conditions that differ in different seasons – moving rates, traffic conditions, and personal engagements are also quite different in different times of the year. Depending on the specific circumstances in your case, these differences may be critical for the success of your move.

Therefore, to be able to make the right decision and pick the perfect time for your relocation adventure, you need to be well acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of moving during different seasons. To make things easier, we’ve broken it all down for you:

Moving in the Spring – An Adventure in Fairyland

A season of renewal and hope, spring is widely considered to be the best season to move house:

Benefits of moving in the spring

Nice weather – Neither freezing cold nor scorching hot, spring weather is just perfect for a house move – carrying heavy items around is much easier in the mild temperatures, there’s no risk of your belongings being damaged by extreme heat or extreme cold, you don’t need to worry about heavy snowfall or blizzards on Moving day, etc.;
Safer roads – The roads are no longer covered in snow and ice, so driving is much safer and easier during the spring. There isn’t much traffic at that time of the year either, so traffic jams won’t be an issue;
Affordable moving costs – You’re quite likely to get a considerable discount when moving in early spring, as very few people choose to relocate during this particular period and most moving companies are willing to offer lower prices in order to secure more jobs. Once May starts, though, the moving costs will soar up as the number of house moves increases greatly in the middle of the month and peak moving season begins;
Better chance to secure experienced and affordable moving services – Moving companies won’t be fully booked in springtime, so you’ll have a great number of reputable movers to choose from. It should be easy enough to find a trustworthy company that perfectly suits your needs and requirements. Besides, you’re certain to get an experienced moving crew that won’t be in a hurry to another move or too exhausted after a previous job and will handle your relocation with great care and professionalism;
Greater choice of moving dates – The less busy the movers are, the easier it will be for them to accommodate your demands and preferences. Therefore, you’ll have no problem securing your desired moving date during the spring and will be able to perform your relocation exactly when you want to;
You’ll be able to sell your home quickly and at a profit – There is a high demand for real estate in the spring as many people are planning their summer moves, so you’re very likely to find a buyer quickly and easily;
You can organize a garage sale and make some money out of your no-longer needed items. Spring is the best time of the year to hold a yard sale – the weather is pleasant and people are eager to buy new stuff after the spring cleaning.

Drawbacks of moving in the spring

Unpredictable weather – Spring is well-known for its showers, lightning storms, and high winds, so despite the mild temperatures, the weather may be very bad on the day of your move and cause you a lot of trouble. You need to take efficient measures to protect your belongings and your property from water damage and to prevent personal injuries and/or road accidents when moving in the rain;
The school year is not over yet – It will be very difficult for your children to change schools just before the end of the academic year – programs and requirements vary from school to school, so your kids will have a lot of catch-up to do and will have to deal with a new routine, new classmates, and new teachers. This is very likely to have a negative effect on their grades and academic performance. Besides, there will be a lot of paperwork to take care of when changing educational facilities during the school year – grade transcripts, absence records, etc. (See also: How moving affects children)

If you’re considering a spring move, you can find some great tips on how to make the most out of it here.

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Moving in the Summer – A Midsummer’s Dream

More than a third of all house moves in the country take place during the summer months. There is a good reason why:

Advantages of moving in the summer

Great weather – The days are long and the weather is warm and dry, so you have more hours of daylight to complete your move and don’t need to worry about snowdrifts, wet roads and slippery driveways, fog and rain on Moving day (even if they happen, summer storms are short lived and pass quickly), or cold-damaged items;
Blooming real estate market – With so many people on the move, summer is the busiest home-selling season. There is a great choice of properties on offer, so you can easily find the perfect new home for you;
The summer break – The school year is over, so moving in the summer won’t disrupt your children’s education. Kids will have the time to adjust to the new environment by the start of the next academic year and you’ll be able to research the educational facilities in your new area and choose a good new school for your young ones;
More free time – Business activity usually falls into temporary decline during the summer, so it will be easier for you to get some days off work to prepare for your move (transferring to a new job is also much easier in the summer months). Besides, most people take their paid leave during the summer period which means that there will be more friends and relatives available to help you with your relocation;
Moving sales – The weather is nice and people have plenty of free time, so you can hold a successful garage sale to get rid of your unwanted items and pocket some extra money for your relocation.

Disadvantages of moving in the summer

High moving costs – The demand for moving services is very high in the busy summer months, so you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets in order to secure professional moving assistance for your summer relocation. There will be no discounts and the moving rates will be higher than in any other season;
Less choice – All reputable moving companies will be booked well in advance and you’ll have a very limited choice of available movers and moving dates. You may have to settle for an inconvenient pick-up date and a large delivery window, or end up dealing with inexperienced movers (many moving companies are short of workers during the busy summer period and hire temporary laborers who don’t have the extensive training and professional know-how required to perform a smooth relocation) and inadequate moving equipment, not to mention the high possibility of moving fraud. The tight schedules also mean that the movers will be in a hurry and drained from too much work, so they won’t be able to handle your move with great care;
Parching heat – The extremely high temperatures in the summer months may add to the moving stress, pose a great risk to your health, and increase the risk of damage to your belongings. Many household items can warp or break down due to the heat in the moving truck, so it is essential to have your belongings transported in a van with air conditioning (especially if you’re moving long distance or have some delicate items to relocate). Also, make sure you take appropriate measures to stay cool and hydrated all the time: dress in light-colored and lightweight clothes, drink plenty of water, protect your skin with a quality sunscreen lotion, etc. (don’t forget to offer some refreshing drinks to your movers as well);
Heavy traffic – It’s summertime – people are going on holidays, visiting places, and traveling back and forth across the country. Millions of cars, RVs, buses, and trucks are roaming the roads day and night. Driving is a hassle and traffic jams and road accidents become common occurrences, so deliveries are slow and delayed.

Last but not least, planning and organizing a summer move will most likely ruin your vacation plans and deprive you of your well-deserved rest.

Moving in the Fall – A Hike under the Falling Leaves

Autumn is usually seen as a time of endings and assessments and, therefore, inappropriate for drastic changes and new beginnings – such as a house move. Yet, relocating in the fall has its own considerable advantages:

Benefits of moving in the fall

Pleasant weather – It’s neither hot nor cold and the days are still long, so you’ll have the time and energy to complete the laborious moving tasks on time and ensure a smooth and efficient Moving day. You’ll even be able to hold a garage sale if you want to get rid of some no longer needed items;
Lower moving costs and abundant options – Peak moving season is over, so you’ll be able to secure quality moving services at a very reasonable price and get convenient pickup and delivery dates;
Safer and faster delivery – The roads are less busy in the autumn when everyone is already back from their summer vacations and there is no snow to block the roads and no ice to make them dangerous, so driving is safer and easier during the fall and you’re likely to get your delivery faster.

Drawbacks of moving in the fall

Rainy days – It rains a lot this time of the year, so it’s quite likely to rain on your parade on Moving day too. Fog and high winds are also common, so you need to be well prepared for moving in bad weather, despite the moderate temperatures;
Kids are back to school – Moving right after the start of the new school year will disrupt your children’s education and routine and will put a lot of stress on them. Besides, it will be difficult to find a good new school for your kids as classes are full and curriculums are set;
The holiday season is around the corner – Moving in the autumn will ruin Halloween and Thanksgivings, and you may not even have the time to settle in your new home before Christmas. Having to forfeit parties and family gatherings because of your move is quite a gloomy perspective.

Related: Moving in off peak season

Moving in the Winter – A Journey in the Kingdom of Frost

Winter is the least popular season for moving house – the freezing temperatures and hazardous weather conditions can easily discourage anyone from venturing a move at that time of the year. Choosing the cold season for your relocation though will bring you plenty of benefits:

Advantages of moving in the winter

Low moving costs – The best deals are for winter moves – always. Moving companies offer considerable discounts and favorable conditions in order to attract more customers in this least busy moving period, so your final moving costs may be as much as 30% lower as compared to a peak-season move;
Great choice of movers – Even the most reputable movers will be able to fit your move in their winter schedules, so you’ll have the liberty to choose any company that you like – just make your research and pick the best movers for you. And if you need to move on a short notice, you’ll have no problems finding a good mover at the last minute either;
More attention from the moving companies – Moving consultants will have plenty of time to work out a deal with you, moving crews will have enough time to handle your items with utmost care on moving day, drivers will have the discuss delivery dates and conditions with you, etc. Your winter move will be more relaxed and more efficient than a relocation in any other season;
Plenty of available moving dates – Just like you’ll be able to hire the company that best suits you needs and requirements in terms of professional experience, affordable pricing, available extra services, specialized moving equipment, etc., you’ll also be able to reserve the most convenient pick-up and delivery dates for you when moving in the winter;
Better real estate deals – Very few people choose to relocate during the coldest months of the year, so you can easily find a very nice house or apartment for a very reasonable rent or buy a property at a fair price.

Downsides to moving in the winter

Bad weather – Snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures pose considerable risks during the entire relocation process – movers may lose their footing while loading or unloading your goods and get injured or break your items; your more sensitive belongings may get damaged by the freezing temperatures; the roads may be blocked by snow or may be slippery with ice (which may result in delays and/or accidents); etc. You need to provide sufficient insulation to your belongings in order to keep them warm and dry at all times, request (and pay the extra cost for) a climate-controlled moving truck, clear the driveway, walkways and sidewalks around your house from snow and ice in order to prevent accidents and injuries while loading the moving truck, take appropriate measure to protect the floors and carpets in your old home (and your new one upon delivery), dress warmly and drink plenty of hot beverages (offer some to your movers too) to keep the cold at bay, etc. Despite your efforts, though, a severe winter storm may still cause you to cancel the move and ruin you relocation plans. Oh, and you can’t possibly hold a yard sale in the cold weather, either;
School – Moving in the middle of the school year will disrupt your children’s education and cause your kids a lot of stress and difficulties in their academic work. (See also: Moving with kids);
‘Tis the season – A winter move is likely to ruin the holidays and this alone may be reason enough to dissuade you from moving in December or January (even if your relocation is scheduled for after the holidays, you’ll be busy with moving preparations and won’t be able to enjoy the festivities).

Must-read: 10 winterized tips for moving in the winter

So, when is the best time to move house? The first warm days of early spring, the summer vacation, the cool autumn months, or the less busy wintertime? You’re the only one who can answer this question and pick the most favorable day for your move.