Moving About America: East Tennessee
Americans move over ten times during their lives, once every seven years on average. We move to gain access to better health care, closer proximity to family, better jobs, more lively entertainment and social outlets, better schools, or better or more affordable housing. With more than 40 million moves occurring within the United States each year, Americans are among the most mobile in the world. What do we know about these movers?
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Photo by hanguklnGilroy.
- Housing is the number one reason for the move. Between March 1999 and March 2000, 52 percent of moves were made to secure better, bigger, and/or cheaper housing. Twenty-six percent of these moves were for family related reasons and 16 percent of the moves were for work related reasons.
- Of the 43.3 million moves that occurred from 1999-2000, over 56 percent stayed within the same county. Twenty percent moved to a different county within the same state and 19 percent moved to another state.
- Young people are more likely to move than their elders. Between 1999 and 2000, one-third of those aged 20-29 moved while only four percent of those aged 65-84 relocated.
- Region matters. Between 1999 and 2000, the South was the only region to experience a significant gain in population. While the Northeast experienced a net loss of over a quarter million residents, the South had a net gain of 227,000.
- According to the American Housing Survey, in 2006, 53 percent of movers saw their expenses increase when they moved. Twenty-three percent saw their expenses decrease and 24 percent saw no change.
- In declining order, the factors which influenced the selection of the home they moved to were (2006): finances; room design/layout; kitchen; size; exterior appearance; yard and view; quality of construction; and availability.
Although many have the freedom and economic means to move, few put real thought into finding a community that fits them best. Where you move may be more important than why you move as place dictates quality of life through economic, recreational, and social opportunities. Click here to learn more.
