The Huffington Post posted research done by In-Deed concluding that the stress and pressures we go through when moving can age us by 2 years! This study also questioned 2,000 participants and they found:

• 10% suffered from hair loss

• 14% short-term memory loss

• 19% admitted a lack in their sex-drive

Death and divorce came in 1st and 2nd place, with moving coming in 3rd place for the most stressful life event we can go through. Yikes! The typical American will move 11.7 times in their lives, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s “Migration/Geographic Mobility” data. With each move shaving 2 years off our life expectancy, we are cheating ourselves out of 22+ years! So, why do we move from apartment to apartment? We all know how stressful it can be and how awful it can be for our physical and mental health, but year after year, we find ourselves in the same dilemma- do we stay or go? Yearly rent renewal increases have us looking across the street contemplating if we don’t mind trading customer service and amenities or location for a cheaper rent. However, each year we are back at this same dilemma and cyclically trading down to get a better deal. There are several factors to consider when you get your renewal notice that are important:

• Location and convenience

• Moving costs

• Market rent growth

• Not to mention service and amenities

These are just a few things to think about as you weigh this decision- this doesn’t even cover all the reasons. Forbes magazine gives us this advice from their article entitled “Should You Renew Your Apartment Lease?”  when faced with the decision between moving and lease renewal: “If your current location offers an easy commute to work and good public transportation or parking options, you may want to stay at least in the same area.” This is a convenience that is worth its weight in gold considering vehicle maintenance, gas and commuter grief. For those who live in big cities, a 20-mile commute can mean an hour in traffic one-way. So ask yourself, what is your time worth? In a healthy economy and market, property managers are going to increase rents to keep up with market growth rates. So, keep in mind any new apartment you move into will also give a renewal increase when your lease is up. Don’t be enticed by the fancy specials because you get what you pay for. If you sign a lease with a great move-in special, be prepared for a significant increase when your lease is up because they will be bringing your rate up to current market value. Another way to look at a rent renewal increase is to ask yourself if you can afford to move, then most likely, you can afford the renewal increase- especially if it is under $100. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, an inner-state move costs around $1200 and an out-of-state move is $5700. Do the math. You are still winning with a $100 increase if you stay put, not to mention you save stress and anxiety from cutting you short by 2 years. In short, moving is stressful! Weigh your options, research, and be sure you are making a good choice for you and your family before taking the risk of moving to a new location, with new neighbors, and a new leasing staff. There are some things money can’t buy and you get what you pay for. If you absolutely do have to move, consider these Moving Day Tips You May Not Have Thought Of.

By Chelsea Isaacson. Chelsea is a former English teacher who drank the Camden kool-aid and has been a Camden Trainer for almost 3 years. She loves her fur-babies + future hubby, traveling, volunteering at the Houston Rodeo and with local pet shelters, and spending time with family. @camdenliving  #Living Excellence (infographic provided by zornmovingandstorage.net)