Dreaming of making your favorite vacation spot your forever home?
Join the club. Cities across the South and Southeast are experiencing population explosions as vacation towns welcome new full-time residents. From Myrtle Beach to Savannah to the Outer Banks…
Americans are making their vacation destinations into permanent residencies.
But before you pack up the U-Haul and move into that dream coastal cottage…
There are a few things you should know. From how much money movers cost to seasonality pitfalls you’ll want to account for…
Here’s everything you need to know before making your vacation town a permanent residence.
What you’re going to learn:
- Why vacation towns are attracting long term residents
- What you should expect from mover’s costs
- 4 factors to consider before making the jump
- Planning tips to set yourself up for success
Why Vacation Towns Are Attracting Long Term Residents
Let’s start with the big picture.
Move data from across the country has revealed a serious declining trend in American mobility. A recent analysis from HousingWire shows that only 11% of Americans moved in 2024. That’s down significantly from previous decades. Americans simply aren’t moving like they used to.
But those who are moving? They’re moving to vacation towns.
Remote jobs have exploded across the country. No longer are workers required to live near a physical office location. Now more than ever before, employees can pick where they live. Turns out many of them choose to live where they used to vacation.
Consider these migration stats:
- South Carolina led the country in net migration per capita in 2025.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina follow closely behind SC’s lead.
- This is especially true in cities like Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Greenville, Savannah, Asheville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Hilton Head.
Many factors play into “why”. For most, it’s about affordability, favorable climate, beach and mountain access, and relaxed lifestyles. If you’ve ever driven up to the Carolina beaches and thought “wow, I could live here…”
Now you can.
How Much Do Movers Cost When Moving to Vacation Towns?
Now the reality check.
Moving to your favorite vacation destination is rarely going to be close to where you currently live. Unless you live in the South or Southeast and are moving near-by. For most cities on the coast or in the mountains…
This is a cross-country move.
Cross country moves mean crossing state lines. How much do movers cost when they have to travel that far? It depends on a few variables.
The best place to start is by researching local and cross-country mover rates to see what your potential move could cost. Distance, quantity of items moved, housing size, and additional services all contribute to your final bottom line.
If your destination is outside the U.S. and international, it’s best to work with an international moving company such as Oz International Movers NYC. They can guide you through every step and help you ship your belongings by land, air, or sea with ease.
Generally speaking, you can expect:
- Local moving services (under 100 miles) cost between $500 and $3,500.
- Long distance moves (greater than 1,000 miles) range from $1,500 to $8,500+, depending on your location.
- Peak season moving costs (May through September) to be 20-30% higher than movers will charge in the off-season.
And remember, those prices don’t include extra services. Packing, furniture disassembly, storage fees, and specialty items like pianos or hot tubs can easily push your total bill beyond $5,000 when moving cross country with full-service movers.
The moral of the story?
Don’t trust the first price you’re given. Get at least three written quotes. Compare them apples to apples. If your move can wait until the off-season, wait. You’ll thank yourself later.
4 Things to Consider Before Making The Move to Your Vacation Town
Throwing down roots in a place you fell in love with on vacation is easy. Living there year-round is a whole other story. Here are four important topics to consider before moving from vacationers to locals.
Research the Cost of Living Standard
Your $10 seafood dinner at the beach may not be so cheap when you’re eating out every week. Sure, plenty of beach towns, cities in the South, and mountain communities have a cheaper cost of living than larger metro areas up North…
Some don’t.
Touristy towns often come with touristy prices. Higher housing costs and inflated prices on everyday services. As popular as these vacation spots are with tourists… They aren’t always so great for living there. Research the year round cost of living and compare it to what you know.
Factor in Job and Income
This one is simple if you work remotely like many others these days. But not everyone’s job qualifies for remote work.
If you need to work locally to support your income, take a hard look at the job market before you move. While Myrtle Beach is a great destination to live, not every city surrounding the coast is like-minded. Look at local job postings to get an idea of expected wages. Visit your state’s employment site to research average income numbers.
Consider Access to Healthcare and Other Services
This one is often overlooked…
Just because there are doctors nearby doesn’t always mean they accept your health insurance. Many smaller coastal towns and mountain villages have limited healthcare services. The closest hospital may be 30 minutes away. Want to see a specialist? You might be driving to a major city.
Investigate Weather Outside of Peak Season
Beautiful beach towns in July sound dreamy until hurricane season rolls around from June-November. Cabin in the mountains? Don’t forget about snowing six months out of the year. Every vacation has an off-season. And chances are, when that season rolls around those tourists better pack up and leave too.
Visit your favorite vacation spot during the worst time of year. See if you could imagine living there when it’s not “perfect”. If you still love it when the beach isn’t nice, the tourists are gone, and restaurants are limited…
It might just work.
Helpful Tips to Set Yourself Up for Success Moving to Vacation Destinations
One of the best ways to prepare for any relocation is to plan, plan, and plan some more. Almost 15 million adults relocated to another state in the United States in 2025. What did those people who moved have in common?
They took their time.
Take a trial vacation. Spend a month or two living in your new city before buying a home. Renting will allow you to experience true day-to-day life in your new town. You’ll figure out your commute, where the best grocery stores are, and meet your new neighbors.
Plan your finances carefully. Moving is expensive. Between paying the movers, security deposits, travel costs, food, furniture, and setting up your new home… Plan to spend at least 20% more than expected.
Build your network before moving day. Need somewhere to go while your house is being built? Looking for a weekend getaway spot? Having local friends you can turn to after moving will make all the difference. Join Facebook groups and meet locals online before you arrive.
And of course, don’t forget the basics. Change your address with USPS, forward your medical records, do your taxes based on your new state’s laws. Small tasks like these add up when you’re not home to complete them.
Bottom Line
Making your favorite vacation spot into your permanent residence is a wonderful goal. And while it is totally achievable…
It takes research and planning to make sure it actually is your dream home.
Do your due diligence. Crunch those numbers. And go into your move with your eyes wide open.
