Why Summer is the Most Popular (and Tricky) Time to Move

Every year, millions of Americans honestly plan their moves during the summer months, and there are some really good reasons why this time of year becomes absolutely crazy for moving companies and anyone trying to relocate.

School’s out so kids aren’t disrupted mid-semester, the weather’s usually more predictable than other seasons, and people’s schedules tend to be more flexible without having to worry about snow days or spring storms messing up their plans.

But here’s the thing – summer moves come with their own unique set of challenges, from absolutely scorching temperatures that make you question your life choices to tight booking windows where everything gets reserved months in advance.

That’s exactly why smart people start planning early, often turning to an affordable moving company in Fort Collins to lock in their preferred dates and avoid those last-minute surprises that can completely derail your moving timeline.

Why Everyone’s Moving in the Summer

Families with kids almost always prefer to move between school years because it minimizes disruption to their children’s education and social lives, which honestly makes total sense when you think about how hard it is for kids to adjust to new schools mid-year.

College students are constantly transitioning in and out of housing during summer months – moving out of dorms, into apartments, back home, or to new cities for internships or jobs, which creates this massive wave of moving demand.

Real estate activity peaks during summer too, with way more homes hitting the market and families feeling more confident about making big changes when the weather’s nice and they have time to settle in before fall gets busy again.

The Weather Factor (It’s Not All Good)

One of the biggest advantages of summer moving is having fewer chances of snow, ice, or those unpredictable spring rainstorms that can completely mess up your moving day and leave you scrambling to reschedule everything.

But here’s what people don’t always think about – extreme heat can make moving physically exhausting and honestly pretty miserable, especially during those brutal midday hours when the sun is beating down and you’re carrying heavy boxes.

Sensitive items like electronics, candles, certain medications, and perishable foods require extra care during summer moves because heat can damage them in ways that cold weather typically doesn’t.

Demand Spikes and So Do Prices

Moving companies get booked solid months in advance during summer, especially for weekends and end-of-month dates when everyone wants to move, so if you wait too long you might not have any good options left.

Rental trucks and storage units become way harder to come by during peak season, and the ones that are available often cost significantly more than they would during slower times of the year.

Costs can absolutely surge during those peak weeks in June, July, and August, so early planning and booking isn’t just about convenience – it can literally save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Tips to Make Your Summer Move Way Smoother

Book your movers at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead if possible, and honestly even earlier if you’re moving during those super popular times like the beginning or end of summer when everyone’s trying to get settled.

Schedule your move for early morning or late evening hours to beat the worst heat of the day, because trying to move heavy furniture at 2 PM in July is basically torture for everyone involved.

Stay seriously hydrated throughout the day, wear light-colored and breathable clothing, and make sure you have fans or air conditioning available at both your old and new places if possible.

Moving With Kids or Pets Requires Extra Planning

Keep plenty of snacks, water, toys, and cooling options handy for kids and pets, because moving day is stressful enough without having cranky, overheated family members making everything more difficult.

Consider hiring pet sitters or arranging childcare for moving day to reduce chaos and keep your kids and animals safe while there are strangers carrying heavy items through your house all day.

Help kids adjust to the idea of moving by involving them in age-appropriate packing tasks and taking time to explain what’s happening and why, which can make the whole transition less scary for them.

Making the Most of Summer Moving

Despite all the challenges, summer moving does have genuine advantages – longer daylight hours give you more time to get everything done, kids are available to help instead of being in school, and you have better weather for cleaning and organizing your new place.

Take advantage of summer’s natural energy and momentum to tackle other big projects while you’re already in change mode – this might be the perfect time to declutter, redecorate, or make other improvements to your living situation.

Summer May Be Popular, But It’s Not Without Challenges

The combination of high demand, hot weather, and busy schedules means that planning honestly becomes everything when it comes to having a successful summer move instead of a total disaster.

With the right preparation, early booking, and realistic expectations about the challenges you’ll face, your summer move can go from being a stressful nightmare to a manageable transition that sets you up well for settling into your new home.

Don’t underestimate how much the heat, crowds, and high demand can impact your moving experience – but also don’t let those challenges scare you away from moving when it makes the most sense for your family’s schedule and situation.