Moving to another home is never easy, whether you decide you need change or you are forced out. Regardless of the time of year, some complications and challenges make the relocation process a tough one. Moving time is stressful enough so it would be ideal to have a time that allows for as few complications as possible.

People often wonder when is the right time to move. The answer is simple; there is no universally good time for a person to relocate. The reason is that each individual or family has different needs and schedules so no one time can suit everybody. For example, families have to consider school calendars, and some companies may have restrictions on the time off you can request depending on work schedules.

While there is no such thing as a perfect move, there are helpful tips and guides to make a moving day as smooth as possible. Using practical concepts, you can pick the right time for you if you have freedom of choice and you can end up saving money too. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of moving in different seasons can make the choice easier. You also need to consider who is helping you move. Whether you are moving alone, with the help of some friends, or hiring professionals, a schedule will matter.

If you are being forced to move, the best thing to do is to gather knowledge for moving in that season so you can plan the best and safest options. If you get to choose when to move you may think about the cold and icy weather of winter months where your hands can freeze as you move boxes and paths will be slippery. Or do you want a summer move with dry roads, and potentially hot, sweaty weather? This is how easily most people think it is, but it is not as black and white as this, and there are many factors you need to consider.

Winter

Concerning climate, winter is the worst time to move. The season is highly unpredictable for weather, so if you have the choice, winter moves are not ideal. If you are in a location with milder winters, it may not be as bad. You need to remember that with winter weather changing in an instant you can leave one house with some frost and end up arriving in a blizzard. You can prepare yourself by checking ahead for the weather and choosing the milder days. If you are able, you can plan out the best routes for driving too.

Cold weather is also very unpleasant for those doing the moving, whether it’s friends or professionals. Subzero temperatures can also damage fragile and delicate items. You need to consider if your items are likely to stay in a truck overnight. Icy winter nights can cause permanent damage to your items, so you would need to make additional arrangements for these items.

Extra care and time also have to be taken with winter moves. Cold hands find it harder to grip boxes and furniture meaning more time is consumed. Ice-covered paths can be tricky to navigate, so slow steps are taken, again eating up more time. Driving large trucks on slippery roads is both a challenge and can be dangerous. Moving in extreme winter conditions can often run over a few days so is not always practical when you have other obligations.

The good side about winter moves is that it is the off-peak season and moving companies have lower than usual rates to stay in business. Moving in the winter is simply a calculated risk. While the move itself is a hardship physically, your wallet may thank you. Also, the most experienced helpers will be available for you because jobs will not be in high demand pulling them away. You will get top-quality work at much lower rates.

Spring/Autumn

The best time to move solely depends on your personal circumstances and preferences. However, the majority of experts say spring and autumn are the most ideal. This is because they combine the advantages of summer and winter in terms of rates, weather, and convenience.

Weather conditions are milder, especially mid to late season. There are no extreme conditions or hazards to worry about like frozen digits or heat strokes. Moving in these months is also out of season which should get you lower rates and better deals. You will also get a wider selection of top-rated movers or rental vans if you’re going it alone. There also is not likely to be any scheduling conflicts or mix-ups in an offseason, so your chosen moving date will be easily accommodated.

Summer

Easily the most popular time to move and the time most movers will recommend. As the height of the moving season, summer means they can charge more, so their opinion is slightly biased. Summer weather is usually pretty decent except for occasional summer storms or extremely hot days. Summer also happens to be the easiest time to get time off work for your relocation. If you have kids, moving in summer is a perfect time for changing schools which is the number one factor of consideration when families decide to move.

Moving at the height of the moving season may provide good moving weather and meet your needs best, but it comes at a price. The top-rated moving companies are in higher demand and rates are at their highest. Unless you book way in advance, it’s hard to hire good movers. The same services provided in the winter will be much more expensive, which seems unfair, but demand influences supply.

Summer moves can run smoothly if planned and booked in advance. The better organized you are, the less stressful the move will be, and less stress will be better in the long run. When you consider weather and opportunity, the summer seasons are ideal for relocating. However, you need to be aware of the higher demand and prices before deciding to move.