May is National Moving Month, and many families, couples and individuals are preparing to relocate for one reason or another. While it might seem counterintuitive to pack up your entire life and move somewhere new, it’s important to remember that relocation doesn’t always have to be a negative experience.

Why Do People Move? -related reasons continue to dominate movers’ motivations, making up about 26% of all moves. This could include buying a new home, finding a more affordable home, or moving to a neighborhood that better matches your lifestyle. This may include a desire for a walkable community, the ability to raise livestock or garden, more parking spaces, or even the opportunity to take advantage of local businesses and restaurants.

The next largest category of reasons to relocate focuses on family matters. This includes things like young adults moving out of their parents’ homes to establish their own households, couples seeking new opportunities to start a family together, or people wanting to be closer to their extended families.

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Work-related factors also make up a significant proportion of relocations. Job promotions, company changes, or simply a desire to be closer to work are all common drivers of relocating households.

Affordability continues to be a major motivating factor for relocating, especially as housing costs continue to rise across the country. Whether it’s the high cost of renting in certain neighborhoods, the financial strain of mortgage payments, or higher-than-normal grocery prices, it can be enough to push some residents to find a new place to call home.