Some 50 percent of people who recently moved did so to improve their living situation, whether to move into a bigger home or move to a better neighborhood, according to Relocation.com. Those were the results of Relocation.com's most recent survey, conducted in June. It's a dramatic reversal from a similar Relocation.com survey in March 2009 that found the recession played a much larger role in the decision to move.
 
As the primary reason for moving, No. 1 on the list was to live in a bigger/better home (26 percent), followed by living in a better neighborhood or area (24 percent); to be closer to family/friends (12 percent); living in an area with a lower cost of living (9 percent); or a move that was sparked by a change in marital status (6 percent). Moving because of school, job loss, retirement or foreclosure each garnered 3 percent or less.


The change between the March and July surveys point to evidence that consumer attitudes are shifting. With more people taking advantage of favorable real estate deals and falling rents, even as the recession continues to pinch most Americans, they are demonstrating a boost in consumer confidence.
 
While finances still factor into the moving decision, fewer people were feeling the need to move due to job losses, foreclosures or downsizing to cut costs. The people who looked to improve their living situation were a mix of those buying a home or renting that were seeking to take advantage of lower rents and home prices to move smart.  Government incentives to buy a home, coupled with market forces lowering housing prices, have helped boost home sales in recent months.