Texas Tops List For No. 1 Relocation Destination In U.S.
January 15, 2009
Texas may be well known for its tasty barbeque, rowdy cowboys and friendly nature, but it also boasts a solid employment base, low tax rates and some of the nation’s most affordable housing. And in these challenging economic times, those qualities can look particularly attractive to families and businesses looking to move to a place where they can plant some roots. So it’s no surprise that more people chose to relocate to Texas in 2008 than any other state, according to Allied Van Lines’ 41st Annual Magnet States Report.
For the fourth year in a row, Texas took the lead as the No. 1 destination state in 2008 based on Allied’s report, which tracks U.S. migration patterns.
Texas achieved the highest net relocation gain (inbound moves minus outbound moves performed by Allied Van Lines) of 1,903 in 2008. Also for the fourth year in a row, North Carolina placed second on the list with a net relocation gain of 800, followed by Virginia in third place with a gain of 398.
Colorado and Oregon placed fourth and fifth respectively for states with the largest net relocation gains.
“Texas truly offers such a wide range of activities for its residents,” said David King, general manager of Berger Transfer and Storage in Houston, Texas, and Allied Van Lines’ largest booking and hauling agent. Berger has 17 locations nationwide with four locations in Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio). King added, “It makes a lot of sense that we moved more people here than anywhere in the U.S. in the last several years. More retirees are relocating here, especially to San Antonio and The Hill Country. And a lot of people are moving here from the Northeast for employment opportunities, reasonably priced housing and the high quality of life.”
Texas experienced 5,891 inbound shipments and 3,988 outbound shipments by Allied, for a net relocation gain of 1,903—just slightly lower than last year’s net gain of 2,041. The Lone Star State chalked up 9,879 total shipments and ranked second behind California which had 11,400 total shipments and claimed “the most mobile state” title (the highest volume of inbound and outbound shipments by Allied Van Lines), followed by Florida in third place with 8,692 total shipments.
“It’s easy to see why Allied Van Lines moved so many people here,” said Bill Hammond, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. “We have no state income tax and continue to maintain low taxes, which is especially attractive to businesses. That, in turn, creates more jobs here. Add to that affordable housing and an overall great quality of life and there’s no question why Texas is so appealing.”
Brooke Hunt, chairman of the Texas Association of REALTORS?, agrees that moderate housing prices attract more people to Texas and said several other factors contribute to the state’s charm.
“Not only is our housing affordable, we also enjoy quality construction and can buy more for our money in Texas,” Hunt said. “In addition to drawing homeowners with great real estate, our public school systems rival the quality of many private schools and the business climate here is excellent. Our Legislature also works very hard to maintain low taxes, low unemployment rates and an outstanding business environment.”
Outbound States
The largest net relocation losses (more outbound than inbound shipments) were experienced by Michigan, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Illinois. Auto industry difficulties most likely continued to negatively affect relocations to Michigan in 2008, as Allied Van Lines’ outbound shipments of 2,388 were about double its inbound shipments of 1,181 for the state. Pennsylvania experienced the second largest net relocation loss with 855 more outbound than inbound moves, closely followed by New Jersey with a net relocation loss of 738, and Illinois with 551.
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