In today’s hyper-mobile world, changing cities every year has become a common lifestyle—driven by job flexibility, remote work, economic shifts, housing shortages, and an evolving definition of what it means to “settle down.” From digital nomads and contract workers to students and separated families, more people are living transitional lives, often relocating every 12 months or less.
At first glance, this lifestyle can look exciting and aspirational. But beneath the curated photos and fresh cityscapes lies an emotional cost that often goes unspoken. Moving once in a while is manageable. Moving every year can have serious, lasting effects—on mental health, emotional identity, personal relationships, and even physical wellbeing.
🔍 1. Why Are So Many People Relocating Annually?
According to ONS data, over 3.2 million people moved home in the UK in 2023, and tenancy contracts shorter than 12 months are now common in urban centres. Key reasons include:
- Rising rental costs: For many, price hikes force relocation even when they’d rather stay.
- Remote work flexibility: More professionals are choosing to explore new places while working online.
- Lifestyle trends: Minimalism, nomadism, and the pursuit of “living fully” are reshaping housing norms.
- Relationship or family shifts: Co-parenting and separations often result in annual moves.
- Contract-based employment: Construction, media, consulting and care workers often follow the project.
What used to be the exception—living in five cities in five years—is fast becoming the norm for millennials, Gen Zs, and even semi-retired professionals.
🧠 2. Mental Health Impact: The Cumulative Toll of Displacement
Relocating once can be exhilarating. Doing it every year? That’s a different story.
The mental load of repeated transitions is well-documented. A 20-year longitudinal study from the UK Household Longitudinal Survey (UKHLS) found:
“Residential mobility is associated with higher levels of psychological distress… especially when repeated or forced.”
(University of Essex, 2021)
Key mental health effects include:
- Increased anxiety and stress: Packing, housing admin, financial uncertainty, and the unknown contribute to elevated cortisol levels.
- Sleep disruption: Unfamiliar sounds, lighting, and temperature affect sleep quality for up to two months post-move.
- Cognitive overload: Constant decision-making during relocation (where to live, how to commute, how to furnish, etc.) results in mental exhaustion and burnout.
- Emotional detachment: Many mobile individuals report emotional “numbness” over time, as they learn not to form strong attachments they know will be broken.
Even voluntary moves can cause distress when the frequency disrupts basic psychological needs: safety, familiarity, and social connection.
🏡 3. The Erosion of Place Attachment
According to environmental psychologist Setha Low, “place attachment” refers to the emotional bond between a person and a physical location. This bond is formed through memories, relationships, daily routines, and sensory familiarity.
Changing cities annually prevents that bond from forming.
- You don’t have time to get to know neighbours.
- You avoid investing in local friendships or community groups.
- You may skip registering with a local GP or gym because it feels temporary.
- You hesitate to personalise your living space with more than the essentials.
The result? A kind of identity instability, where no place ever feels like yours—even if it looks beautiful or “Instagram-worthy.”
👥 4. Loss of Community and Social Infrastructure
Strong social bonds act as a buffer against life stress, improve resilience, and lower risk of depression and anxiety. Yet when you relocate frequently, social support networks are constantly disrupted.
A UK Mental Health Foundation report notes:
“People with strong social connections are 50% more likely to live longer. Those without are more likely to suffer depression or anxiety.”
In our own Nezt audience survey of 500 past residents (2024):
- 71% said they didn’t have a “go-to person” in their neighbourhood
- 54% hadn’t participated in any local events due to feeling “transient”
- 42% moved on before fully unpacking
The emotional result? Many said they experienced a sense of “floating”, loneliness, and disconnection—even in busy cities.
🧳 5. The Invisible Work of Moving: Decision Fatigue & Lifestyle Disruption
Moving isn’t just about changing your address. It’s the hundreds of micro-decisions that come with it:
- Do I keep this piece of furniture or sell it again?
- Will my work commute get longer or shorter?
- Do I need a new dentist or GP?
- Is the new neighbourhood safe at night?
These decisions add up to cognitive fatigue—especially when repeated yearly.
Moving also disrupts habits: morning routines, gym visits, walking routes, grocery lists. The little structures that anchor our days and support mental health often need to be rebuilt from scratch. And sometimes… you don’t bother. So structure erodes. So does wellbeing.
🧬 6. Physical Health: Yes, Relocation Can Impact Your Body
Moving every year doesn’t just affect the mind. It can hurt the body, too.
- Sleep deprivation, common after relocation, impairs immune function
- Stress-related inflammation contributes to fatigue, poor digestion, and muscle tension
- Over-reliance on takeout during moving periods reduces nutrition
- Disrupted routines lead to missed health appointments and inconsistent exercise
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology showed that even minor environmental shifts (like lighting or layout) can affect appetite, digestion, and sleep cycles.
🌍 7. The Upside: Is There a Healthy Way to Move Often?
Yes. There’s a difference between thoughtful mobility and chaotic transience.
Frequent movers who maintain mental wellbeing tend to:
✅ Keep a stable daily routine no matter where they are
✅ Travel with familiar objects (pillows, coffee makers, books, etc.)
✅ Set up home quickly: decorate, unpack, personalise early
✅ Join community groups ASAP (yoga classes, co-working spaces, libraries)
✅ Create “ritual anchors” like weekly Sunday dinners, walks, or journaling habits
✅ Have reliable digital connection to friends/family from previous cities
Also, staying in accommodation that feels safe, spacious, and homely makes a major difference.
🏠 8. How Nezt Helps Create Stability — Even When You’re on the Move
At Nezt, we’ve worked with thousands of individuals and businesses managing frequent relocations—across industries like construction, project consulting, healthcare, and media production. What we’ve learned:
- People don’t just need a roof—they need reassurance.
- A calm, clean, well-furnished space reduces moving stress instantly.
- Location matters—but emotional safety matters more.
With over 1,300+ UK locations, we offer:
- Fully-furnished homes for 1 to 6+ months
- Flexible terms without long contracts
- Housing suitable for solo travellers, families, and large groups
- Access to safe, community-rooted areas with shops, transport, and support
- The ability to recreate the same quality of life in every city you move to
Because when you’re living out of a suitcase, you shouldn’t have to feel like a guest in your own life.
📌 9. Final Thoughts: Should You Keep Moving Every Year?
The freedom to move frequently is a privilege—but it comes with responsibility.
Ask yourself:
- Am I choosing movement, or running from discomfort?
- Do I have the emotional and logistical tools to stay grounded?
- Is this sustainable—financially, socially, and mentally?
- Can I bring elements of “home” with me, or build them quickly?
For some, the answer is yes. For others, it may be time to slow down—not to stop moving entirely, but to move intentionally.
