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How to Tell Friends and Family About Your Relocation

Author: Patrick Hanan | Updated Date: 11-24-2025

If you're moving abroad or across the country, inevitable conversations with friends and family will be hard.

It's important to understand that your emotional and physical presence affects people when you interact with them.

Telling someone that you're moving away can be a very emotional experience.

Stay calm when telling your friends and family about your upcoming move.

Moving will not only impact your life — but also those around you.

Whether you are telling a friend or family member about your move, there are a few approaches you can consider.

Prepare Before Telling Your Friends and Family About the Move

Take general notes of details you want to share with people related to your move.

If there are any specific topics about your move that you don't want to discuss, it's better to establish your boundaries before you talk about the moving decision with anyone.

Also, you may want more time to include information that you believe will make others happier with your decision to move.

Have a mock conversation

Pretend that you are having a conversation with the person that you intend to inform about your move.

This will give you an opportunity to determine how you want to inform certain people as well as think of their possible reactions.

Pick a location

Where you tell someone about moving is important too.

If you choose a busy or noisy public space, then your discussion might be interrupted or unheard.

It’s recommended to pick a location that is comfortable and familiar. This will help you set the tone for telling someone that you're moving away.

Think about your audience

You'll need to consider if your approach of informing people about your move will churn the same reaction from everyone.

If you need to adjust what you say to someone in a way that makes you uncomfortable, just keep in mind that you are trying to help ease someone else's understanding of your move.

Plan How You'll Tell Your Friends and Family About the Move

Before you move, you should have an idea of who you want to inform about your move.

If you are telling friends, think of their feelings.

Remember, you have had more time to adjust to the thought of moving.

Consider the following places where you could tell a friend about your move:

  • Quiet beach picnic

  • On a road trip

  • Over tea, at your house

Also, it's important to prepare and know how to properly react.

Here are a few tips to use when telling your loved ones about your upcoming move.

Let your family know first

To avoid unnecessary misunderstanding, it's best to tell your close family members about your move before anyone else.

The worst thing that can happen is for them to find out last or from someone you told first.

This might create a rift in your relationship that might last after you move.

Try to talk one-on-one

If possible, consider having a conversation about your move with one person at a time.

Disclosing the information to more than one person at once could result in a bombardment of questions and emotions.

A group discussion could also obscure a person's truer emotions, which would otherwise be revealed if they were alone with you.

Expect different reactions

When dealing with friends and family, you will be faced with a range of emotional reactions.

The way your friend reacts to the news might be completely different compared to how your mom reacts.

Also, some may cover up their feelings to avoid breaking down in front of you.

Let them know you are open to talking about how they really feel.

Have options to keep in contact

Before meeting up to tell them the news, have a range of options to keep in contact with them.

This will ease out the initial feelings of you moving away.

Essentially, you are letting them know that even after you move away, the relationship will still be intact.

Social media, frequent calls, and Skype video calls are all options to lay on the table.

Throw a going away party

A great way to gather everyone at once is to have a proper farewell party.

This will ensure you get to see everyone important to you.

Although surprise going away parties do happen, it's best not to expect it.

Make sure to send out invites early, so everyone has time to clear their schedules.

Informing your friends and family about your move can be difficult, so by taking proactive steps you can make the discussion honest, straightforward, and comfortable.

Conclusion

Informing people about your moving plans with family and friends is never easy. The moment can be emotional and being prepared for any type of situation helps a lot.

After the conversation with your loved ones, it’s important to find a trusted moving company for moving.

At movers.com, our moving experts can guide you through comparing quotes from reliable moving companies and provide you with a free quote to provide a smooth and stress-free moving experience.

Infographic on how to tell your Friends & Family you are moving

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