For the second year in a row, Oregon reigns as the “Top Moving Destination” in 2014, while the Northeast continued to lose residents for the third consecutive year, according to the United Van Lines’ 38th Annual National Movers Study, which tracks customers’ migration patterns state-to-state during the past year.
Sixty-six percent of moves in Oregon to and from the state were inbound in 2014 – nearly 5 percent higher with inbound moves compared to 2013, the survey found. South Carolina and North Carolina then rounded out the top 3 on the list.
What’s attracting so many new residents to Oregon? A survey by United Van Lines’ found that the main draws were for a new job (38%) and retirement (29%).
Meanwhile, more residents seem to be fleeing the Northeast region. The top outbound states for moves in 2014 was New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. In a separate survey, United Van Lines found the Northeast region was having the highest number of people leaving due to retirement as their main reason for relocating.
“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,” says Michael Stoll, economist 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.”
United Van Lines has tracked migration patterns annually on a state-by-state basis since 1977. The study is based on household moves handled by United across the country.
The Top Inbound States for Moves in 2014
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Vermont
- Florida
- Nevada
- Texas
- District of Columbia
- Oklahoma
- Idaho
Top Outbound States for Moves in 2014
- New Jersey
- New York
- Illinois
- North Dakota
- West Virginia
- Ohio
- Kansas
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Connecticut
