Tomball Magnolia Potpourri - News
Work driving force behind moving decisions
By ALLEN JONES
Work factors continue to be the driving force behind moving decisions, according to a relocation study conducted by Mayflower Transit, a van and transportation company based in St. Louis, Mo.
The 2008 consumer relocation study was conducted by the company to find out why Americans are on the move. According to the study, more than 50 percent of respondents moved for a job in 2008. Thirty-seven percent of those customers relocated for a new job while 13.2 percent moved due to a company transfer.
The most popular states for relocation, according to the study, include Washington, D.C., with 68.4 percent of inbound moves in that area; Kentucky (62.5), Vermont (62.5 percent) and Nevada (61.7 percent. The states had at least 60 percent inbound rates. South Carolina (59.5 percent) and North Carolina (56 percent) also remained high as inbound states compared to last year’s study.
The study ranked Nebraska as the top state to leave, with 64.1 percent of outbound moves in the area. Michigan was next with 62.9 percent of outbound moves. New Jersey (59.8 percent) and North Dakota (59.2 percent) also ranked high as outbound states, according to Mayflower Transit’s study.
Texas ranked as the 19th highest outbound state, said Jennifer Bonham, a spokesperson for Mayflower Transit. As an inbound state, Texas ranked just about the same.
Anne Sundquist, president of the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce said the study contained interesting statistics that help the non-profit business networking organization see that the indbounds and outbounds of Texas rank just about equally, with work the primary reason for moving in either direction.
“We know that Texas ranks first and second (various polls) with regards to being a business-friendly state, so many companies move here -- or begin here -- and add to the work force as they establish roots,” she said.
The Mayflower Transit study also gave insight into the American flight of the retired, which relocating trends indicate are dropping. Moving for retirement continues to drop as only 28.6 percent moved after retiring, compared to 30.4 percent in 2007 and 31.8 percent in 2006, according to the study.
“The stats also show that retirement is no longer a primary reason for moving,” said Sundquist, who reviewed Mayflower Transit’s study. “Communities geared to active retired people are popping up everywhere, and from my own unofficial ‘poll,’ many people seem to make their last move related to work to an area they deem desirable for retirement. Their last move, then, becomes not one for retirement but a two-fold one of work and life after work.”
According to the Mayflower Transit consumer relocation study, 44 percent, less than half of all respondents, indicated they have only moved once in their lives. Nearly 29 percent have moved twice and 16.3 percent have moved three times.
Sundquist said a number of companies located in the north Houston area list the Magnolia area as a positive one for employees to visit and locate residences.
“Our schools, our neighborhoods, and our natural environment draw people here to raise their families and develop permanence,” she said. “In spite of a slowed economy, we are still providing relocation packets to individuals, companies, and our realtors to help people make choices for their families.”
The 2008 Customer Relocation study’s data is based on the 75,828 interstate household moved handled by Mayflower among the 48 contiguous states, as well as Washington, D.C., Alaska and Canada, between January and August of this year. Other information is based on responses from Mayflower’s Customer Service Survey.
Mayflower Transit transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art, and specialized freight utilizing a network of 700 affiliated agents through the United States and around the world.
The 2008 consumer relocation study was conducted by the company to find out why Americans are on the move. According to the study, more than 50 percent of respondents moved for a job in 2008. Thirty-seven percent of those customers relocated for a new job while 13.2 percent moved due to a company transfer.
The most popular states for relocation, according to the study, include Washington, D.C., with 68.4 percent of inbound moves in that area; Kentucky (62.5), Vermont (62.5 percent) and Nevada (61.7 percent. The states had at least 60 percent inbound rates. South Carolina (59.5 percent) and North Carolina (56 percent) also remained high as inbound states compared to last year’s study.
The study ranked Nebraska as the top state to leave, with 64.1 percent of outbound moves in the area. Michigan was next with 62.9 percent of outbound moves. New Jersey (59.8 percent) and North Dakota (59.2 percent) also ranked high as outbound states, according to Mayflower Transit’s study.
Texas ranked as the 19th highest outbound state, said Jennifer Bonham, a spokesperson for Mayflower Transit. As an inbound state, Texas ranked just about the same.
Anne Sundquist, president of the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce said the study contained interesting statistics that help the non-profit business networking organization see that the indbounds and outbounds of Texas rank just about equally, with work the primary reason for moving in either direction.
“We know that Texas ranks first and second (various polls) with regards to being a business-friendly state, so many companies move here -- or begin here -- and add to the work force as they establish roots,” she said.
The Mayflower Transit study also gave insight into the American flight of the retired, which relocating trends indicate are dropping. Moving for retirement continues to drop as only 28.6 percent moved after retiring, compared to 30.4 percent in 2007 and 31.8 percent in 2006, according to the study.
“The stats also show that retirement is no longer a primary reason for moving,” said Sundquist, who reviewed Mayflower Transit’s study. “Communities geared to active retired people are popping up everywhere, and from my own unofficial ‘poll,’ many people seem to make their last move related to work to an area they deem desirable for retirement. Their last move, then, becomes not one for retirement but a two-fold one of work and life after work.”
According to the Mayflower Transit consumer relocation study, 44 percent, less than half of all respondents, indicated they have only moved once in their lives. Nearly 29 percent have moved twice and 16.3 percent have moved three times.
Sundquist said a number of companies located in the north Houston area list the Magnolia area as a positive one for employees to visit and locate residences.
“Our schools, our neighborhoods, and our natural environment draw people here to raise their families and develop permanence,” she said. “In spite of a slowed economy, we are still providing relocation packets to individuals, companies, and our realtors to help people make choices for their families.”
The 2008 Customer Relocation study’s data is based on the 75,828 interstate household moved handled by Mayflower among the 48 contiguous states, as well as Washington, D.C., Alaska and Canada, between January and August of this year. Other information is based on responses from Mayflower’s Customer Service Survey.
Mayflower Transit transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art, and specialized freight utilizing a network of 700 affiliated agents through the United States and around the world.
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