Not everybody wants to relocate. Some people find a great home in their early 20s, move down the street a few years later, and then stay in that spot for the rest of their life — which is completely fine. That’s an older way of doing things. Now that the millennial generation is old enough to make their own decisions, the majority of young people are deciding on one thing: relocation.
Millennials are packing up their items, contacting residential moving services, and moving wherever they want nowadays. But why are so many young people moving? There are plenty of reasons and each situation is different, but here are a few of the general reasons as to why millennials are frequent movers:
Because they want new experiences
Young people don’t want to just stay in the same town for decades — they want to try new things. They want to meet new people. They want to work at a new job. They want to eat different food. They simply want to experience as much life as possible, at least while they are young.
Because they are educated
Believe it or not, college education is actually a key marker of the likelihood to move, especially when it comes to millennials. In fact, 77% of college graduates have changed communities at least once compared to only 56% of those with just a high school diploma (or less). Also, college grads are much more likely to have lived in multiple states throughout their lifetimes.
Because they plan on moving again
Though millennials are moving quite often, they aren’t exactly staying in those places for too long either. According to a Mayflower survey, 41% of millennials qualify as “vacation movers,” meaning that at some point during their adult lives, they moved to a new place (excluding moving for college) without the intention of staying there permanently. Of all those vacation movers, roughly 74% reported they had a specific timeline in mind for how long they want to stay in a new location before they relocated again.
Because they aren’t tied down
Unlike generations before, millennials aren’t as concerned with getting married and starting families — at least in their 20s and early 30s. Because of their lack of families, individual millennials are able to move as they see fit. Many of these young people can grab a gear bag and backpack and head down the road. This will likely change once the majority of the generation decides to settle down, but for the time being, the majority of millennials are single and they are on the move.
- Birth years: Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996
- Other nicknames: Also known as Gen Y, Gen Me, Gen We, and Echo Boomers
- Characteristics: Millennials are the first generation to grow up with the internet, but they also remember life before social media. They’ve experienced two recessions that defined their generation, and they’re known for wanting a good work-life balance.
- Size: As of July 1, 2019, millennials were the largest living adult generation in the United States, with 72.1 million people.
- Diversity: Millennials are more diverse than previous generations, and their birth years coincided with an increase in immigration from Latin America and Asia.
Here are the key factors driving their mobility:
1. Economic Pressures and Job Opportunities
- Career Advancement: Millennials often relocate to pursue better job opportunities or to work in industries concentrated in specific urban areas.
- Economic Instability: Challenges like student debt and rising living costs may force them to move to more affordable areas.
- Remote Work: The rise of remote work gives millennials the freedom to move away from expensive cities to locations with lower costs of living.
2. Urban Preferences
- Access to Amenities: Many millennials prefer urban areas for access to public transportation, cultural experiences, and social activities.
- Short-Term Living: Renting in cities with high housing turnover rates means millennials frequently move to find better deals or upgraded spaces.
3. Lifestyle Shifts
- Delayed Life Milestones: Millennials tend to marry and start families later, which allows for more flexibility in moving before settling down.
- Experiential Living: This generation values experiences over possessions, making them more likely to embrace short-term relocations for new adventures or travel opportunities.
4. Housing Market Challenges
- Rising Home Prices: Many millennials face difficulties buying homes due to high prices and limited inventory, resulting in renting and frequent moves.
- Rent Increases: Escalating rental costs may push them to seek cheaper housing.
- Desire for Better Living Conditions: Moving is often motivated by seeking larger, more modern, or better-located accommodations.
5. Educational Pursuits
- Moving for college, graduate school, or professional training is common among millennials. These moves often lead to further relocations for internships or job placements.
6. Flexibility and Mobility Mindset
- Millennials value flexibility and are less tied to specific locations compared to previous generations.
- Technological advancements, such as online apartment hunting and digital work, make moving more feasible and appealing.
7. Family and Relationship Dynamics
- Changing Relationships: Moves may occur due to changes in relationships, like moving in with a partner or following a breakup.
- Support Networks: Some millennials relocate to be closer to family or friends as priorities shift.
8. Pandemic-Related Trends
- Relocation to Suburbs or Rural Areas: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many millennials left urban areas seeking more space or affordability.
- Work-from-Home Options: Flexible work arrangements further fueled their mobility.