Americans say moving is more stressful than divorce, having children, survey claims
The survey found the average moving cost was over $1,500
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Moving is the most stressful event, followed by a divorce and then marriage, a survey claims. (iStock)
If you had to choose, what would you say the most stressful event in life is? A new survey found that it’s not having kids or even starting a new job – but rather moving.
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The survey asked 1,000 Americans who have moved within the last three years about their experiences and the growing pains that come with moving on.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Whether they did their most recent move themselves or hired a moving service, 45% of respondents said moving is by far the most stressful event in life.
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Next in line for life’s most stressful events was going through a breakup or divorce at 44%.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of North American Van Lines, the survey found 64% of respondents said their most recent move was one of the most stressful things they’ve ever experienced.
Packing is among the stressors for moving. (SWNS)
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In fact, of those surveyed who did their last move on their own, 43% said they would never do it again.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The top stress points of an independent move included moving their furniture through doors, closely followed by pivoting furniture up and down the stairs.
On the flipside, a whopping 94% of respondents who hired movers for their last journey (578 respondents) said it was worth every penny.
Regardless of who moved them from point A to point B, the survey found the most stressful parts of their move was packing up their belongings (48%), closely followed by sorting out what to keep and what to get rid of or donate from their homes (47%).
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On top of these stress points is, of course, the price tag of the move and the survey found the average cost was over $1,500.
Respondents also said they then spent an average of $211 to cover unexpected costs that popped up during the move.
The average move will also have four broken or damaged items – but they all may not be accidental.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Thirty-five percent of respondents admitted to secretly breaking or losing an item that belonged to a significant other during a move because they didn’t like it.
“Moving, particularly when the move is to another state, is something few people have experienced, so it’s not surprising to see moving ranked as a leading cause of stress,” said Kevin Murphy, Vice President and General Manager of North American Van Lines.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MOST STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS
Moving - 45%
Going through a breakup/divorce - 44%
Getting married - 33%
Having children - 31%
Starting your first job ever - 28%
Entering a new career/industry - 27%
Sending a child off to college - 26%
Starting college - 22%
Dating someone new - 10%
Getting a pet - 7%
MOST STRESSFUL PARTS OF MOVING
Packing - 48%
Sorting out what to keep and what to get rid of/donate - 47%
Making a down payment on my new house/getting a mortgage - 28%
Finding a mover - 24%
Budgeting for movers - 23%
Saving up enough money to sign a lease/get an apartment - 14%
Budgeting for renting a moving van/truck 7%
TOP REASONS AMERICANS MOVED WITHIN THE LAST 3 YEARS
Moved for a new job - 19%
Job relocation - 16%
Moved to be in a bigger city - 14%
Moved to be closer to family - 13%
Spouse/significant other relocated for their job - 10%
Spouse/significant other had to move for a new job - 9%
Moved to be in a smaller city - 3%