Oregon Ranks as Top Moving Destination
Apr 27, 2015 – Oregon holds on to its title as “Top Moving Destination” and continues to pull away from the pack, while the Northeast loses residents for the third consecutive year.
Those are the key findings from
United Van Lines’ 38th Annual National Movers Study, which tracks customers’ migration patterns state-to-state during the course of the past year. The study found that Oregon is the top moving destination of 2014, with 66 percent of moves to and from the state being inbound — that’s a nearly 5 percent increase of inbound moves compared to 2013.
“With economic stability growing nationally, the current migration patterns reflect longer-term trends of movement to the southern and western states, especially to those where
housing costs are relatively lower, climates are more temperate and job growth has been at or above the national average, among other factors,” said Michael Stoll, economist, professor and chair of the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“Unique amenities such as outdoor recreation, arts and entertainment activities, and green space protection likely continue to propel Oregon to the top of the list for the second straight year”,says Stoll.
The Pacific West, including Washington and Oregon, both saw an increase in migration in the 2014 study. According to Dr. Stoll, recreational amenities, walkability scores, outdoor space, greenery, affordable housing and a vibrant downtown area all are drawing boomers to the great Northwest.
Residents can go hiking, fishing, paddling or cycling. Boomers have indicated they enjoy a more rural life because it reminds them of their childhood. It’s less congested, less noisy and slower paced. Rural areas have beautiful sceneries, clean environments and friendly neighbors. Leaving bigger cities also means boomers can save money, have more land and avoid crime and violence.
United has tracked migration patterns annually on a state-by-state basis since 1977. For 2014, the study is based on household moves handled by United within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. United classifies states as “high inbound” if 55 percent or more of the moves are going into a state, “high outbound” if 55 percent or more moves were coming out of a state or “balanced” if the difference between inbound and outbound is negligible.
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