Now that you’ve decided on moving, that’s great.

Probably, you’ve been as busy as a bee scrolling through California moving companies on the lookout for the right option, searching for schools in the new neighborhood, and creating a checklist to keep all aspects under control. You might have given thought to the best time to move but had no idea what material effect seasons & dates have on your money holdings and overall relocation experience.

It is an open secret that the transportation industry has high and low moving seasons. As you should have guessed by now, rates may vary notably between high and low seasons. When is the best time to move? Today we unlock some relocation secrets.

The Best Moving Season

Leaping ahead, the best season to move cannot be determined unambiguously as you have to consider several factors. For instance, families with preschool kids can move throughout the year and choose the lowest-rate season, while families with kids of school age prefer relocating during academic vacation.

Briefly, all seasons moving can be described as follows:

• Winter. As the demand is typically lower throughout the winter months, rates are the lowest. Pretty often companies have discounts on moving during the winter. However, winter might not be the best variant if you have kids attending school.
• Spring. The weather is milder than in winter. Besides, moving companies aren’t as busy as in summer. Movers still have quite flexible schedules and not the highest rates.
• Summer. This is a great time to sell a house — you can make a really better deal than during the off-season. Another positive side of moving in summer is that schoolchildren won’t break their academic year. High moving rates are the downside, though.
• Fall. Naturally, the weather is not as hot as in summer and not as cold as in winter. Besides, fall is the best time to buy property — off-season deals can save you a noticeable amount.

What is the best month to move? Well, when it comes to costs, the best window is from the middle of September to mid-April.

The rule of thumb states that first and last days of every month movers usually have busy schedules, as most rental contracts start from the first of the month. Hence, rates can be higher and schedules less flexible than in the middle of the month. The same applies to the weekly schedule as most people tend to move on weekends. Thus, the optimal money-saving variant is to move “mid-week & mid-month”.

The Busiest Moving Season

Despite higher relocation rates, the peak season for moving is summer. Industry professionals note a yearly surge of online quote requests starting from May as families plan their relocation during the summer months. It stands to reason that parents try to relocate during an academic vacation not to interrupt school studies.

Recently, many families with kids tend to relocate during the mid-year break. Rates are lower than in summer, which is an important factor when you move a large house long distance. Some parents note that throughout the school year, kids make friends easier than during summer. Teachers also pay more attention to mid-year newcomers. However, the decision depends on your unique situation because some kids need some time to adapt to the new surroundings instead of plunging into the new community.

Moving During the Winter

Ask any professional in the moving industry “When is the best time to move?” and you are highly likely to hear that the best deals you can get in winter. Rates are particularly important for a costly long-distance relocation. Starting from mid-September (except for holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas) rates are more attractive. In fact, in February and March, you can strike a good bargain.

The only disadvantage is the weather. The transition between Californian cities in winter is perfect. But if you move from or to a region with a severe and cold climate, you should prepare yourself for slippery pavement and freezing hands in case of a DIY move.

So, if you don’t have school-age children and the weather in your present and a new location is acceptable for moving during the winter, the off-peak rates might be a solid reason for choosing this season for your transition.

Moving in Summer

More than 60% of the US residents move in summer despite the seasonal spike in moving rates. Actually, the situation is easily explained by the academic schedule. Moving in summer makes the transition between schools easier and allows kids to adapt to the new environment, neighborhood, and community. Besides, there is enough time to unpack and prepare a new home for a busy school time.

Additionally, long-term rentals usually end in summer. So, to avoid extra charges for breaking the lease contract earlier, people wait till the end of a lease agreement to relocate.

The major drawback of summer relocation is its price. Movers are busy, so you are unlikely to get discounted rates. On the contrary, summer rates are higher than the industry average throughout the year. The best strategy for summer relocation is to make a reservation well ahead of time to avoid extreme price strikes. Once you’ve done research on the best movers, request free quotes, compare records and reviews, and make an early reservation. Trustworthy companies with solid reputations usually are fully booked in summer.

In conclusion

As you see, the best time to move is determined by your unique situation. Young singles might be more flexible with their schedules and try to catch the lowest rates during the winter season. Families with kids plan moves based on the school studies schedule. College students are also dependent on the semester start dates.

When you have a chance, schedule your relocation from mid-September to mid-April — rates are lower, and moving companies aren’t as busy as in summer. Request a moving quote online in advance to have ample time to get ready for relocation. Even if you hire full-service pros, you still need to filter your belongings, schedule off/on utilities at your soon-to-be old and new places, and inform banks and state institutions about changes in your address.