| Residents came into and left the state in equal measure in the pandemic’s alleged urban flight.
A recent report from national moving company United Van Lines identified the Bay State as the eighth most-fled state – and the eighth most moved-to state – in the months between March and August 2020.
Among customers who cited COVID-19 as an influence on their move, the top four most common factors were:
- Concern for personal and family health and wellbeing.
- Desire to be closer to family.
- Change in employment status or work arrangement (including the ability to work remotely).
- Desire for lifestyle change or improvement of quality of life.
The survey also found that the pandemic’s influence on moving decisions has increased over time.
The pandemic has put no dent in Massachusetts’ housing market; the median price for a single-family home in August was a record $480,000, according to a report from The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman.
“For the second straight month, we saw the biggest upticks in single-family activity in Barnstable, Berkshire and the island counties, which could indicate that buyers are seeking homes in safer, more rural areas of the state,” Warren Group CEO Tim Warren said in a statement.
The full report from United Van Lines can be found on its website.
