Where Are New Yorkers Moving To?

The state of New York can be an awesome place that offers a great many things to see and do.

Unfortunately, like anywhere you go, there's a downside as well. You hear the complaints: It's too expensive! The winters suck! The taxes are too high! 

Some have had enough. In fact, New York has the third highest number of out-of-state moves in the United States, according to a new study.

United Van Lines put together their 40th annual national movers survey, and it looks like New Yorkers as well as many others from the eastern U.S. are heading out west.

This may surprise you, but South Dakota came in at number one for where Americans are moving to. Vermont, one of the only northern states to finish near the top, was number two. Oregon was a close third. Many other western states finished near the top of the list, with the Carolinas and parts of the south also ranking high.

Retirees are leading the exodus out to the west. Michael Stoll, an economist, and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said:

This year’s data clearly reflects retirees’ location preferences. We are seeing more retirees than ever decide to relocate, and as a result, new retirement hubs are popping up in Western states.

Interestingly enough, these retirees are leaving at such a fast pace that the movement of millennials to urban areas in the Midwest and Northeast is being overshadowed.

Only New Jersey and Illinois ranked ahead of New York for outbound moves. Connecticut ranked fourth.