The Grass Isn’t Always Greener: Why Most Americans Believe Moving Will Improve Their Lives—But Regret Follows for Some

Dreaming of a fresh start? You're not alone—most Americans think relocating will solve their problems. But here's the twist: some who actually make the leap end up wishing they'd stayed put.

The Moving Mirage

Packing boxes and chasing new zip codes sounds revolutionary—until it isn't. The fantasy of greener pastures often crashes into reality's hard floor. Those who moved expecting transformation sometimes find themselves facing the same old struggles, just with different scenery.

Regret's Heavy Suitcase

Not every relocation story ends with a sunset view. Some movers discover that problems have a funny way of following you—no matter how far you run. The thrill of new beginnings fades fast when you're still you, just in a new time zone.

Finance's Cynical Wink

Let's be real—moving costs more than emotional capital. Between realtor fees, security deposits, and that cross-country gas bill, you might wonder if that money wouldn't have been better invested in crypto. At least digital assets don't require cardboard boxes.

The Unmovable Truth

Geography changes nothing if mindset stays stagnant. Before you hire the movers, ask yourself: are you chasing improvement or just running away? Sometimes the best relocation happens between your ears—not across state lines.

Key Takeaways

• Many Americans said in a new survey that they think moving could improve their lives, but others who said they had moved didn't make them happier.
• Nearly all of those surveyed said there was at least one factor holding them back from moving to a more desirable location.
• Data has shown that moving has become expensive, and more young adults are holding back on moving away from their parents and other milestones.

A majority of Americans said in a recent survey that they could be convinced to move to another state or even country, and that they think moving could improve their lives, but the same study shows that the Grass isn't always greener on the other side.

More than a quarter of the 1,000 people surveyed by Clever Offers that said they had moved thinking it WOULD improve their happiness said that was not the case and moving hasn't helped.

Most People Say They Could Be Convinced to Move States, Countries

Americans are growing less satisfied with where they live. While 69% of those surveyed said they like where they lived, that number has shrunk compared to last year, the number of those who are "frustrated" with the location of their homes has gone up.

More than 60% said they are living where they are currently out of convenience more than that place being where they want to be long-term, and 50% and 73% of Americans said they could be convinced to MOVE to a new country or a different state, respectively. About 61% said they think moving to a new city or state would improve their lives, but 29% said moving had not improved their happiness.

Nearly all of the survey at 93% said there is at least one thing keeping them from moving to a more desirable area, and 46% of that group said finances were the biggest obstacle to moving.

Related Stories

What's Stopping People From Moving?

Data released by the Census Bureau earlier this month showed that young people were having an increasingly difficult time meeting traditional "adulthood" milestones like getting married and moving out of their parents' home, likely due to the rising cost of living.

The rate of 25 to 34-year-olds that had moved away from home, were in the labor force, had been married at least once and had at least once child fell from 45% in 1975 to less than half that at 21% in 2024.

Moving also tends to be costly for both renters and homebuyers, as data has shown that people are increasingly likely to make expensive purchases like new furniture and appliances when they move, and movers are even more likely to buy or lease a new car than those who don't move.