NEW YORK — The average American has packed up all their stuff and moved five separate times during their life. A poll of 2,000 adults finds that 11 percent have moved fewer than two times and 23 percent have moved seven or more times. About one-third (34%) consider themselves to be “prepared labelers,” meaning they organize and plan out their packing well in advance.
About one-quarter (24%) identify as a “panic packer” — someone who waits until the last minute to prepare for their move, and lacks organization overall.
Regardless of packing method, respondents offered moving “hacks” such as, “allow yourself enough time and meditate to prevent becoming overwhelmed with the moving process,” and [using] “your towels for wrapping breakables.”
Preparation is key when it comes to moving day
Conducted on behalf of Bellhop by OnePoll, the poll asked respondents to share their methods, their madness, and the stressors of relocating. Experience level and packing method aside, 58 percent of respondents believe it is imperative to have an explicit timeline or schedule when moving.
So, where do people start? With miscellaneous items, of course! Almost four in 10 (37%) begin by putting their knick-knacks and other rarely-used items into boxes.
However, 31 percent also cited their knick-knacks as one of the top items to get the boot when cleaning. On the other hand, collectible items get moved to the top of the “keep” pile, according to 37 percent of respondents.
To that same tune, respondents typically get rid of more items during a move than they do during spring cleaning (28% vs 21%). Speaking of spring, only 24 percent of respondents believe the first season of the year as the best time to move, while 42 percent prefer to move in summer.
Those in the Midwest are most likely to choose the summer season (49%) and the Northeasterners prefer spring (35%).
“It’s a professional mover’s job to make sure all of your belongings get from A to B seamlessly, no matter the season,” says Bill Chase, Chief Marketing Officer at Bellhop, in a statement. “And when it comes to move prep, they’ve seen it all: but those who create (and stick to) a reasonable packing timeline tend to be much more relaxed come move day.”
Packing perfection
When it comes to moving, almost three in five (56%) consider themselves an expert.
Interestingly, “panic packers” are more likely to consider themselves experts than prepared labelers, 76 percent vs. 53 percent, respectively. Even the most seasoned experts have limitations — respondents only feel comfortable moving 28 boxes by themselves, with a maximum weight limit of about 165 lbs.
Forty-six percent of respondents have gone on a “scavenger hunt” looking for items after a move. However, those who pack in a panic are less patient than those who prepare in advance. One-quarter (26%) of panic packers won’t spend more than 10 minutes searching for an item, compared to only 10 percent of prepared labelers.
Respondents also outlined some of the hardest parts of moves, which included “getting enough people to help” and “getting enough rest for myself.” All that being said, more than seven in 10 respondents would prefer to hire a moving company than move themselves.
“Most people underestimate the sheer quantity (not to mention weight) of their belongings — a studio apartment can easily require 30 boxes! So it’s no surprise that 71 percent of respondents want to hire a moving company to handle the heavy lifting,” Chase adds.