Moving Company Says Texas Was Top Destination in 2009
Moving company Allied Van Lines said that Texas was the top relocation destination in 2009, based on its outbound and inbound shipments.
Texas has been topping the annual relocation report of Allied Van Lines since 2005. Its net relocation gain for 2009 was nearly 2,000, higher than its gain of around 1,900 in 2008.
Allied Van Lines, founded in 1928 and one of the largest moving corporations in the world, ranks destination states by estimating net relocation gain – number of inbound moves minus number of outbound moves done by the firm. It has been issuing its annual report on the top magnet states for the past 42 years.
Ben Hurwitz, head of Houston-based Westheimer Transfer and Storage, one of the top international and domestic agents of Allied, said that his company moved a diverse group of people to Texas in 2009, including retirees, singles and families from various backgrounds. He added that Texas welcomes different ethnic and cultural groups.
Bill Hammond, head of the Texas Association of Business, said that Texas is still the best state in the country to work, raise a family and live.
His statement was affirmed by Bill Jones, head of the Texas Association of Realtors. Jones added that the state has wide spaces for businesses and housing development, has various fine arts facilities and recreational opportunities and has affordable housing for families and individuals.
According to Hurwitz, his moving company also helped a lot of corporations move to Texas, showing that the state is among the friendliest states for businesses.
Texas had nearly 8,800 inbound shipments, second only to California, which had nearly 11,000 inbound shipments. Florida ranked third with more than 8,600 shipments. California was cited as the most mobile state because it posted the highest number of total outbound and inbound shipments.
Michigan had the biggest net relocation losses in 2009, with its 2,210 outbound shipments overwhelming its 1,019 inbound shipments. The troubled auto and housing sectors of Michigan may have pushed residents to move out of the state.
In 2009, Michigan ranked eighth in foreclosure rates among states, posting more than 118,000 foreclosure filings during the year. The three other states with the biggest net relocation losses were Illinois, Pennsylvania and California.
Moving company Allied also reported that the three other states with the biggest net relocation gains were Arizona, with a net gain of 566; North Carolina, with a net gain of 564; and Colorado, with a net gain of 508.
