Moving house is often described by those who have experienced it as the most stressful time during their lives. The upheaval of your life and the need to pack up all your belongings and sometimes, relocate to a completely different part of the country, is understandably, a fairly hefty challenge.

Despite this, it hasn’t stopped people moving home throughout their lives, either to upsize, downsize of relocate for a new job. That is, until now. A recent study that was based on census data over a 40 year period has revealed that both renters and homeowners are much more likely to stay put than they were during the 1970s.

So, what is driving this resistance to relocate?

The research seems to have revealed a pattern of social change and seems to further indicate a slowing down in social mobility.

A fall in upsizing and downsizing

Back in the 70s, it was much more common for people to progress in different directions on the property ladder. That is, either moving up it to bigger and better housing or in a downward direction by downsizing. During the 70s, 55% of people would move over the course of a decade, but by the 2000s this number fell significantly to 45%.

An aging population

There is also speculation that a fall in the number of people choosing to move house and relocate could be thanks to an aging population that continues to grow. Considering the fact that people now live, on average, for a decade longer than they did during the 70s, this conclusion would seem to make sense.

The lack of affordable housing

It’s no secret that the UK is currently being blighted by a severe lack of affordable housing, something that the Prime Minster is desperately trying to address. With house prices continuing to rise also, there is much less choice and availability for those with dreams of relocating, causing many people to choose to stay put.

Job insecurity 

There is certainly more than one factor contributing to a rise in job insecurity in the UK. The rise in automation, the uncertainty of Brexit and the pressure for businesses to remain productive in an ever-changing economic landscape are just the tip of the iceberg. Feeling insecure in job roles could be contributing to people staying in their homes and commuting longer distances instead of relocating for work.