Moving. The word alone evokes a mix of excitement and stress for many. At Verhuisbedrijf Direct we see every day how people pack their lives into boxes, ready for a new adventure. But how often do we actually make that leap? Let's dive into the Dutch moving box and discover how often people move on average.
The Average Moving Frequency: How Often Do People Move Worldwide?
Imagine the whole world as one big moving van. In some countries that van would hardly stand still, while in other countries it would mostly just collect dust.
Americans, for example, seem to be born nomads. They move an average of 11.7 times in their lives. That’s like shaking their house like a snow globe every few years! Britons are a bit more sedentary, with an average of 8 moves. Our eastern neighbours, the Germans, keep it to a modest 4 times.
But what causes these differences? Well, it's a mix of factors:
- Work that moves: In countries with flexible labor markets, such as the US, people often follow their jobs like a cat chasing a laser pointer.
- Culture that binds: Some cultures place more value on staying close to family. It's like a family gathering that never ends!
- Houses that beckon: The availability and affordability of housing play a major role. It's like a life-size game of musical chairs.
- Governments that steer: Some countries make moving more attractive than an IKEA sale, while others discourage it.
How often do Dutch people move?
Now that we've made a world trip, let's see how often we Dutch pack and unpack our boxes. According to our friends at CBS (Central Bureau of Statistics) we move an average of 7 times in our lives. That may sound like a lot, but it comes down to about once every 10 years.
Let's look at some numbers:
- In 2022, approximately 1.7 million moves took place in the Netherlands.
- This means that approximately 1 in 10 Dutch people put their toothbrush in a different bathroom that year.
A spokesperson for Statistics Netherlands once told us: "Moving is like a chapter in people's lives. It often marks a new phase, like the moment when you finally give back the keys to your parents' house, or when you decide that one toothbrush in the bathroom is no longer enough."
But not all parts of the Netherlands are equally crazy about moving. Just look at this table:
| Region | Average number of moves per 10 years |
|---|---|
| Randstad | 1,2 |
| Major cities outside the Randstad | 1,1 |
| Countryside | 0,8 |
It seems that people in the city move more often than people in the country. Maybe it’s because there’s more choice in the city, or maybe city people are just more restless. It’s like the difference between a trendy cocktail bar and a cozy village pub – in the former you want to try everything, in the latter you have your regular stool.
Moving by Life Stage: When Do People Move Most Often?
Now that we know how often we move on average, let's see when we do it most. After all, life is not a straight line, but a roller coaster with many turns and the occasional loop.
Moving at a young age
Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 move the most. It is as if they are a pinball in the pinball machine of life:
- Leaving home: The big jump, often with a mix of excitement and panic about how the washing machine works.
- Study: From student room to student room, looking for the perfect balance between partying and studying.
- First job: Finally money to buy that washing machine, and maybe even a sofa that doesn't come from a thrift store.
- Living together: The ultimate test – will your entire pack fit in one house?
Lisa (25) told us her story: "I've moved 5 times in the past 7 years. First I moved out for my studies, then I moved to a room where I could at least stand up, then for my internship, then back because I missed my friends, and now I live with my boyfriend. I've become an expert in packing boxes and building IKEA furniture!"
Moving in the middle years
In the 30-50 age group we see a different pattern. It is as if people are finally deciding where they want to grow their roots:
- Family formation: When that one extra room suddenly becomes a nursery.
- Career: Sometimes that dream job requires a move, even if it's reluctantly.
- Parting: Unfortunately, not every story ends in "happily ever after." Sometimes it means two new chapters, in two different houses.
Moving at a later age
After the age of 50, the frequency of moving decreases. But there are still times when people decide to exchange their home for another:
- Empty nest: When the kids leave home, that big house sometimes feels like a jacket that is too big.
- Retirement: Finally time to live where you always wanted to live. Maybe by the sea?
- Care needs: Sometimes life forces us to move to a place where we can get the care we need.
Factors that influence moving frequency
Why do some people move more often than others? It’s like a complicated recipe, with many different ingredients:
- Economic factors
- Work: Sometimes you follow your job like a dog follows its owner.
- House Prices: When houses are more expensive than gold, you might think twice about moving.
- Mortgage rates: Low interest rates can make moving as tempting as a sale.
- Social and family factors
- Relationship Status: Single, Cohabiting, Married – each status may require a different home.
- Expanding the family: When two becomes three (or more), that apartment suddenly becomes very cramped.
- Divorce: Sometimes 'our house' ends up in 'your house' and 'my house'.
- Educational level and career patterns
- Higher educated people move more often on average. Maybe because they have more options?
- Some professions require more mobility than a circus performer.
- Cultural influences
- In some cultures you prefer to stay close to your family, in others you fly away like a bird that has just learned to fly.
- City vs. Countryside: In the city, moving sometimes seems more the rule than the exception.
Moving: then and now
The way we move has changed over the years. It's like the difference between a black and white TV and a 4K flat screen - the essence is the same, but the details are very different.
Historical context
- 50 years ago: People moved less often than a turtle changes location.
- 30 years ago: With the rise of the knowledge economy, people began to move more often for work. It was as if everyone suddenly had wheels under their house.
- 20 years ago: Globalization led to more international moves. The world became a village, and some decided to move to another part of that village.
Current trends
- Flexibility: People have become more flexible. It's like we've all become a bit nomads.
- Technology: Working from home makes it possible to live further away from work. Your office now fits in your laptop!
- Sustainability: There is a growing trend to renovate existing homes instead of moving. It’s like upcycling, but for your entire home.
Impact of moving on individuals and society
Moving frequently can have both positive and negative effects. It is like a double-edged sword.
Positive effects:
- New experiences and personal growth: Every new place is like a new chapter in your life story.
- Adaptation to different cultures and environments: You become a chameleon, able to adapt to any environment.
- Expanding Social Networks: Your address book will be thicker than a phone book (for those who remember those).
Negative effects:
- Stress and uncertainty: Moving can feel like a leap into the unknown.
- Loss of existing social networks: Sometimes you have to say “goodbye” to people you care about.
- Cost of Moving: Moving can take a heavy toll, both financially and emotionally.
Tips for people who move often
If you belong to the group of people who move often, we have Moving company Here are some tips for you right away:
- Plan ahead: Start packing early. Rome wasn’t built (or packed) in a day.
- Minimize: Use every move as an opportunity to declutter. Ask yourself, "Do I really need this flamingo-shaped lampshade?"
- Create a moving budget: Moving can be expensive. Make sure your wallet is ready.
- Keep important documents at hand: You don't want your passport to end up somewhere between the socks and the pot holders.
- Invest in quality moving boxes: Good boxes are like a solid foundation – they make everything more stable.
Finally
How often people move is as diverse as the Dutch population itself. On average, we move about 7 times in our lives, which is about once every 10 years. But as with everything in life, everyone is unique. Some people stay in the same house their entire lives, while others move more often than they change their toothbrush.
Whether you move often or stay in the same place for a long time, every move is a new opportunity. A chance to clean up, to meet new people, to start a new chapter.
And remember: whether it’s your first or twenty-first move, we at Verhuisbedrijf Direct are always here to help you get those boxes from A to B. Because let’s face it: no one likes lugging a couch up the stairs.
