Reasons-people-move

site a 2006-2007

Reasons-people-move

Reasons for Moving

The reasons people move are many and varied......but reasons are more frequent than others. Here is a bit of an overview of ther main reasons and some of the issues that arise., gleaned from my almost 20 years experience in the Removals and Storage business.

Mr and Mrs 'Downsizing'

"Downsizing" is a pretty self-explanatory term...it simply means the clients new property is smaller than the current property. It accounts for many of our removals, perhaps up to 40% (an educated guess). The extent of the downsize varies depending on clients needs or preferences.

It will be a much easier and less expensive removal if excess furniture is disposed of prior to the removal. If storage is required then a good clearout will reduce storage costs. Disposing of items is not always the easiest or most straightforward process. See Selling or giving items away for more details.

The most common downsize removal is where the kids have gone and the extra bedrooms are now empty and unused, bar for extra storage...which usually is a mixed blessing as it just leads to a bigger clearance problem when the final downsize becomes inevitable.

Perhaps the next most common reason for this kind of removal is to a property with a smaller garden and generally less maintainace. A useful (and sometimes essential) outcome is smaller bills such as heating, council tax etc. Cost reduction can sometimes be the primary reason for moving. With many pension schemes in trouble using the equity in the house to beef up income will doubtless become more common.

Many older people also downsize to a much simpler property, such a flat (perhaps with a warden) or a bungalow. An important aspect of the move is often the more central location of the new property. Access to amenities and also emergency services frequently becomes more important as people get less mobile or generally frailer. Flats are also popular moves for the early retirees who have plenty of disposable cash and just want to close the front door and jet off to the next exotic location, sure in the knowlegde the flat will probably be fine as neighbours keep an eye out for problems.

Most people move to a property with at least one bedroom less, sometimes two. Usually dining rooms are 'chameleon' rooms, perhaps with a drop-leaf table and a bed settee, for the occassional times mass family events require more than one extra bedroom. With a significant downsize often comes significant equity release. Sometimes this is essential. indeed has been a planned part of , the income plan. Or it may be used to buy a property abroad.

All in all we get a significant amount of removal and storage from Mr and Mrs Downsize. Keep it up!

Mr and Mrs 'Uppers'

The kids are growing up, the jobs are going well and space is..is..is simply not there anymore...it's full of their toys..and junk..and things. They all want or need there own room...and a games room would be nice...a bigger garden..perhaps an adults only lounge..bliss. It all comes at ba cost, these days. Each extra room can cost £10's of Thousands. But in 20 years time Mr and Mrs Upping might become Mr and Mrs Downsizing and release finds for the pension..or the round the world trip of a life time.

Mr and Mrs 'Kids-Schooling'

As you need to live in a certain geographical area to ensure your childer attend a particular school this can lead to clients moving to achieve this. As the preferred school is probably more likely to be in a more 'middle-class' area (for want of a better way of putting it) the new house may have to be smaller than the old one, paticularly if parental income is unlikely to rise. Sometimes extra funds are forthcoming from the childrens Grand parents to allow a similar size property.

Ms 'Get-out-of-rented'

Buying a property is many peoples ambition, but it is not always easy. There is often a period in rented property trying to save the house deposit..banging in the overtime or even with a second job!. With recent house price rises this has made it impossible for some people to move. Some clients in this position have chosen to have some items in storage and live in asmall property and one has great sympathy if they cannot achieve there goals. Others have chosen to move to areas that would not be there first choice, where prices are less. This can be a useful stepping stone and, if enough private ownership takes place in a previously mainly rental area, the area can become significantly more appealing and eventually a good investment.

Mrs Move-to-the-kids

With increasing poor health and possibly the loss of a spouse many older people move closer to the kids. We get many longer distance removals because of this, as the kids have scattered around the UK in there search for jobs when younger.

Mr and Mrs A-change-is-as-good-as- a-rest

Some people just like moving. This might be for any number of reasons. They perhaps enjoy the challenge of decorating a new home..perhaps just for the pleasure or also to sell the property on at a profit. It takes a keen eye for the right property and an ability to stick rigorously to a budget to do this, but we have 2 or 3 regular clients in storage who definitelly have the knack...not for the faint- hearted (in my humble opinion)

Mr Lot'a'dosh

As hard as it is to believe some clients just have lots of money....for whatever reason. We have moved a few lottery winners, and a few footballers!! Many of the 'high rollers' are Dentists or Surgeons. Others have their own businesses. (not removals businesses, I hasten to add). Some are in the world of finance and others have been left substantial legacies. They generally...no surprise here...move to bigger properties in better areas.

Mr and Mrs Removal-and -storage-addicts

Perhaps I have moved one or two people who loved moving...I can certainly count them on the fingers of one hand. For the rest of us (and I include me here) moving is a necesary evil...made easier by calling in a reputable removal company.