2014's Top U.S. Moving Destinations

For the second year in a row, Oregon has been named the top moving destination within the U.S. according to United Van Lines' 38th Annual Movers Survey. As the nation's largest household goods mover, the company tracks state-to-state migration patterns, and reports that 66% of Oregon moves were inbound in 2014 as opposed to outbound. South and North Carolina were close behind, each at 61%. Oregon is popular due to its outdoor recreation, culture, and arts and entertainment scene, among other factors. In fact, CNNMoney cites Portland as one of America's most innovative cities. It notes that Portland built a light rail in 1986 instead of a new highway, and commends the city's sustainability and high percentage of bicycle commuters thanks to a 1973 bicycle plan, urban trails, and short blocks.

This is part of a larger patten in which people are leaving the Northeast (with 1/4th citing retirement as the reason) to southern and western states, where housing costs tend to be lower, the weather is more temperate, and job growth is at or above the national average.

States with at least 55% of moves going into the state are considered "high inbound" (marked in blue), states with at least 55% of moves going out of the state are considered "high outbound" (marked in yellow),  and states with relatively equal inbound and outbound rates are considered "balanced" (marked in gray). The migration map below depicts which states fit into each of the above categories:

States with the highest outbound rates include New Jersey (65%), New York (64%), and Connecticut (57%). New this year, Ohio is on the outbound list, ranking sixth with an outbound rate of 59%. Thinking about moving to or from Central Ohio? Visit my website and contact me to see how I can help. I am a full time Realtor with a lifetime of experience serving sellers and buyers in Ohio. 

Columbus, OH One of Best Markets For Landlords

RealtyTrac studied 370 major U.S. counties in order to determine the most attractive markets for landlords. Its results are based on factors including unemployment rates, median home prices, average rents, and demographics. An article released by CNNMoney states that, regarding demographics, a presence of large millennial and baby boomer populations is ideal because both groups are undergoing major life changes that sometimes entail changes in housing. While a significant number of baby boomers move to Florida, millennials are more spread out across cities such as Philadelphia, Pennsyvania and Atlanta, Georgia.

The results list Columbus, OH as the eighth best market for landlords. The median sales price for a home in Columbus is $125,000, while the average rent for a 3-bedroom place is $1,039 per month. This translates to a gross rental yield of 10%

The single best market in which to be a landlord is Anderson, South Carolina. Here, the median home sales price is only $69,900, and the average rental rate (again for three bedrooms) is just under $900, resulting in a 15.3% gross rental yield. Other top ten markets include Gainesville, Florida, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Charleston, South Carolina.