National moving trends, habits revealed

I know five people who moved this month. Three changed residences within Oahu. One went back to the mainland. Another went to Japan. 

Duck brand moving study

New research into the living setups and moving experiences of 2,000 Americans profiled how many times the average person has moved and their experiences along the way. For example, did you know Americans take 182 days to finally unpack their last box after moving into a new home? The study, commissioned by Duck® brand, resulted in some interesting data.

I read the study with amusement. I’ve moved way, way too many times in my life. If you count all the years moving in and out of dormitories for boarding school, that’s ten years’ worth right there. Hey, nine months is a long time to settle in to a room only to have to completely clean up and get out in May.

If you’re looking at it as moving houses, then that’s about six times from birth through college years, and roughly nine times after college. One really learns to pare down and not collect stuff.

Here’s the rest of the study. What do you relate to on this list?

MULTIPLE MOVES
· The average American polled has moved five times in their life so far, living in three separate apartments and two single-family homes most typically.
· Four of those properties are likely to be rentals, with one purchased.

ROOMMATES, LANDLORDS, NEIGHBORHOODS
· 20% had roommates who stole their food, more than a third lost all or part of their deposit and 45% experienced a bad landlord.
· Just under half lived in a neighborhood they don’t like; and four in ten lived somewhere they felt was unsafe.
· A change in relationship status is the most likely reason for a move, followed by downsizing or upgrading the house and/ or area lived in.
· Financial issues were the third most common reason for Americans to move.

COST OF THE AVERAGE MOVE
· The Duck® brand study found the cost of moving can mount – Americans spend $432 per move on average, racking up $2,160 in moving truck rentals, movers and packaging or supplies.
· Results showed the average move also takes over three weeks.
· Americans will typically need an average of 26 boxes per move.

DAMAGED GOODS
· 55 percent of the survey respondents had an important item damaged during a move.
· 2/3 do not know the correct way to wrap items with Bubble Wrap (HINT: bubbles should face toward the item)

Author(s) on this Post

Diane Ako

Peace of mind By Diane Ako I like to reflect on life. Sometimes it’s philosophically. Sometimes it’s humorously. For all its beauty, life is far too difficult a journey to take alone. You need the support and connection with others to help carry you along the way. Writing brings me that connection– within and without. It clarifies my thoughts and feelings. It helps me reach out to others for advice, wisdom, or feedback. Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions become you. A wise yogi- Patanjali- said, “Speak what is true. Speak what is pleasant.” Let’s speak of things pleasant to one another and seek some peace of mind along the way. ABOUT Diane Ako joined Hawaii: In Real Life in October 2016. She likes being part of a community of local bloggers – people who like writing and sharing, like she does. Ako is an anchor/ reporter at Island News (KITV4 – ABC) in Honolulu. She previously anchored and reported at KHON2 (FOX) and KHNL (NBC), and at stations in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. She freelance writes for NMG Network's magazines. In between news jobs, in 2017, she launched and ran her own p.r. company, Diane Ako PR. From 2010-2014, she headed the public relations department at Halekulani Corporation, which oversees luxury resort Halekulani and boutique hotel Waikiki Parc. She’s been blogging since 2009 – before Hawaii: IRL, she wrote for The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the state’s largest daily newspaper, where her stories garnered a dozen journalism awards and an Emmy nomination. Ako has a BA in Communications from Menlo College and an MA in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa. She volunteers as a board member of the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, a Shinto shrine maiden at Daijingyu Temple, a citizen-scientist studying shrimp, and a yoga teacher at a senior center.

Diane Ako has 274 posts and counting. See all posts by Diane Ako

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