Goodbye City, Hello Suburbs: A 2020 Moving Trend

Make no mistake, city life will always hold a lot of appeal – especially to young professionals in the Millennial generation. Great public transportation, enticing job opportunities, and a fun, fast-paced lifestyle has attracted many to urban centers like New York City and Jersey City.

But city life isn’t for everyone. More and more, both professionals and families are moving away from densely populated, bustling city centers to beautiful suburbs. As an example, according to recently released U.S. Census data, people are leaving New York at a faster rate than nearly any other state in the nation.

Experienced New Jersey movers, All Jersey Moving & Storage has helped many make the move from major cities to the suburbs. In this article, we explore the motive behind this 2020 moving trend as well as what actions you can take to ensure a successful suburban move.

The Challenges of City Life

• Far from family. Oftentimes, professionals and young families leave their home towns behind when they build their life in a big city. Being far away from the comfort and support of family can be extremely difficult, especially during these uncertain times. Many are choosing to move closer to their loved ones.

• Cost of living. Not surprisingly, city life comes with a hefty price tag. New graduates and young professionals who flock to cities like New York City and Jersey City are often drawn by job opportunities. They accept the reality of sky-high rent and cost of living in exchange for the ability to gain valuable experience and move up the ranks at top companies and start-ups. But for many, the staggering cost of city life is not only disheartening, it’s downright unsustainable – especially for those who want to grow their savings and establish financial security. 

The Benefits of Suburban Life

• Affordability. More affordable rent and cost of living is perhaps one of the greatest draws of life outside of busy urban city centers. Tax rates are also much lower out of big cities like NYC. Saving on these basic costs of living can be absolutely life-changing, allowing professionals and families to finally stop scraping by and start building financial security.

• Growing job opportunities. More and more companies are relocating their headquarters out of cities like NYC and Jersey City to the suburbs, where rent and other costs are more affordable. The rapid growth of technology has also changed the workplace. Numerous companies are moving to models where remote work is welcome, especially in light of Covid-19. This allows employees to reconsider their zip codes instead of being tied to big city living. Greater job opportunities outside of city centers are motivating a growing number of professionals to move from the city to the suburbs.

• Home ownership. For many, moving from the city to the suburbs is motivated by a desire to stop renting, and enter into the wonderful world of home ownership. For most, purchasing a property in the city is simply not feasible. You will get a significantly better price per square foot in the suburbs.

• Green space. While cityscapes – with their towering buildings and sparkling lights – have a certain appeal, they can’t compete with the suburbs when it comes to large, green spaces and fresh air. If you’re tired of living in a vast concrete jungle, you will likely find the suburbs to be much lusher, filled with parks, biking and hiking paths, picnic areas and more. If you’re moving from an apartment into your own home, you will also be able to enjoy spending time in your very own backyard!

• A sense of community. In a densely populated, fast-paced city, it’s hard to feel like you’re really part of a community in a meaningful way. Cities are generally transient, with people always coming and going – never staying put for too long. For those who crave a community feel, the suburbs generally deliver. From getting to know local shopkeepers and pub staff to joining social clubs or local sports teams, there are a myriad of ways you can not only become familiar with your new suburban home, but become part of the fabric of a real community.

• Suburban Lifestyle. Many people wrongly assume the suburbs are “sleepy”, but the truth is many communities outside of the city offer great culture, entertainment and nightlife. Smaller towns and cities often have plenty of great restaurants, bars, boutique shops, music centers and live theaters. You’ll find a go-to sports bar, yoga class, paint night, sushi spot, and more, just about anywhere you go. Plus, since you’re outside of the city, you may even find free parking!

• More Privacy. There are less people and wider, open spaces in the suburbs than in the city. The suburbs therefore offer people more privacy compared to city living. This is particularly true when comparing the housing communities of suburbs with the apartment complexes and condos of urban developments. If more space and privacy sound dreamy to you, you may want to consider relocating to the suburbs.

• Safety of the Suburbs. Years ago, there was max exodus to the suburbs mainly due to safety concerns. Cities are safer today than they’ve been in decades, but most still have higher crime rates than the surrounding suburbs. It’s also more typical to see gated communities in the suburbs. For families, safety is a top concern.

Moving from NYC to NJ – A Growing Trend

For many of the reasons explored above, a growing number of professionals and families are choosing to move from New York City to more affordable cities and communities. Many are flocking to New Jersey. Some commute to Manhattan or Jersey City for work, while others take advantage of growing job opportunities outside of the city and build homes in attractive, more affordable suburban communities.

All Jersey Moving & Storage has helped countless professionals and families make the big move from New York City to New Jersey this year alone. Our vast experience with city moves and knowledge of New Jersey communities has earned us the trust of those relocating to a new city or suburb. We do our utmost to make the move seamless and stress-free, so you can focus on the other responsibilities that come with a major move, from securing new employment, housing and schooling to the greatest task of all – packing!

Moving out of the city? Remember to…

• Change your address: Use USPS’s moving tool to officially change your address to your new one so your mail is sent to the right location.
• Change your billing addresses. Don’t forget to change the address attached to your bank accounts, credit cards and other important and ongoing memberships.
• Make an appointment with the DMV. Are you moving to from Jersey City to New York State? If you’re already a registered driver, you need to get a New York State driver’s license and surrender your out-of-state license within 30 days of establishing residency. Read more about that here and set an appointment.

Are you moving to Jersey City from out of state? You will need to transfer your driver's license within 60 days of moving to New Jersey OR before it expires (whichever occurs first).

The Right Moving Company: All Jersey Moving & Storage

Moving out of a big city to a more affordable, welcoming suburb can certainly be liberating, but it also involves a lot of careful planning and preparation. If you have decided that moving to the suburbs or a smaller city is the best choice for you and you have rented or purchased a home or apartment, the next step is to select optimal moving dates and research reputable professional moving companies.

Make sure the residential moving companies you are considering are well-recommended and are actually licensed to provide moving services. Moving companies in New Jersey and most other states require a license. You don’t want to find yourself working with a rogue, unlicensed moving company.

Another thing to beware of when considering professional movers is if the moving company quotes a price that is much lower than everyone else’s. When this happens, they're likely either very inexperienced or will charge countless "hidden fees" when moving day comes around.

Movers charge either by the hour or by the weight of your shipment, so there's a good chance that the low estimate you received will shoot up when your move is complete. The result? You'll end up paying just as much as you would for a legitimate mover but - most likely - for lackluster service and uninsured employees. Find a moving company like All Jersey Moving & Storage that charges fair, competitive prices and has a track record of providing excellent service.

At All Jersey Moving & Storage, we have decades of experience helping professionals and families relocate from New York City and Jersey City to the suburbs. We use top-of-the-line equipment to ensure that your valuables and your home are protected from the moment we arrive at your old house or apartment until your items are safely unloaded at your destination. If you’re moving out of an apartment in New York City or Jersey City, you can take comfort in the fact that All Jersey Moving & Storage moving team is familiar with the unique rules and requirements of many residential high-rise buildings. This allows us to ensure that your move runs smoothly and on schedule.

Here are some of the many benefits of choosing a seasoned moving company like All Jersey Moving & Storage:

• Our experienced staff will safely and professionally take care of your possessions. We guarantee a positive, friendly experience with all of our employees.
• Our equipment is at the top of its class. We’ve taken the time and investment to secure equipment that allows us to provide the best moving services possible.
• Whether you’re moving your piano or priceless antiques and heirlooms, our team has the expertise needed to make sure nothing gets damaged.
• We understand your schedule and just how challenging it can be to move while you have a job, family, and many other responsibilities to take care of. As a result, weekend pickups and deliveries have no extra charge, unlike many of our competitors. A Sunday move will cost the same as a move on a Tuesday.
• Our last-minute moving services mean that you won’t be in a scramble trying to make your move happen. If you have just closed on a new home or got a new job and need to relocate immediately, we will do our utmost to accommodate you.
• We’re trusted for our award-winning service, which means you can have peace of mind that you and your valued belongings are in extremely capable hands.

Make your move to the suburbs a success. Contact All Jersey Moving & Storage today for a complimentary moving quote.