81% of young residents of Neringa say that buying a home in their hometown is practically impossible for them. That figure isn't a guess – it's recorded in the Curonian Spit management plan. When a young professional can't find year-round housing, they simply leave, leaving behind an empty job vacancy and yet another flat waiting for summer tourists.
In brief:
- 81% of young people in Neringa rate their chances of buying a home poorly – a similar situation exists in Palanga, Druskininkai, and small district centres.
- Most people leaving choose not to emigrate abroad but to move to Vilnius, Kaunas, or Klaipėda – it's easier to find work and rented housing there.
- Moving to another city requires 3–6 weeks of preparation and a clear budget: rent, deposit, and moving costs.
- A service with 2 movers and a van costs from €65/hour, with a minimum order of €130.
Why young people are leaving Neringa and other resort towns
Neringa council member Matas Lasauskas writes about an engineer who wanted to work in Neringa and asked for just one thing – a place to live year-round. No such place appeared, and she left. This isn't an isolated case but a documented trend: it's not the buildings that are disappearing, but the community (source).
Young people feel similarly in Palanga, Druskininkai, or any small district centre, where flats are rented out to tourists in summer for three times the annual rental price. It's hard for a local resident to compete with such an offer. The result is simple: a teacher, doctor, or engineer who can't find housing in their own town packs up their belongings and moves to where housing is affordable.
When one person does this, it's a personal decision. When dozens do it every year, it becomes economic emigration from one region of the country to another. The town loses specialists, the school loses pupils, and local businesses lose workers who could be employed beyond just the tourist season.
Where those leaving relocate to: a big city, another town, or abroad
Statistics show a clear trend – most people leaving small resort towns choose not to emigrate abroad, but to move to another city in Lithuania. The reason is straightforward: there's no language barrier, paperwork is simpler, and family and friends remain within reach.
Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda attract people because of the breadth of the job market and greater availability of rental housing. But before packing the boxes, it's worth getting familiar with the reality of the rental market – a one-bedroom flat in central Vilnius now costs around €500–600 per month, and the deposit is usually equal to one month's rent. It's worth reading about how to prepare for moving into rented housing before signing the contract, not after.
Moving to another city in Lithuania becomes a more rational decision when the salary difference exceeds the difference in rental costs, or when a job offer is already confirmed – not just a hope that something will turn up after arrival.
A practical moving plan: from decision to new front door
For a job-related move, it's best to allow at least 3–4 weeks; if you're moving to another city with your family, allow 6 weeks. During this time you need to find housing, agree on a starting date for the new job, and plan the moving day itself so it doesn't clash with your first week at work.
It's worth calculating your budget in advance by adding up all the amounts together:
- first month's rent;
- deposit (usually equal to 1 month's rent);
- moving costs (from €130, depending on distance and volume of belongings);
- a reserve for unexpected expenses – at least €100–150.
When moving to a different municipality, you must declare your place of residence within 1 month of settling in – this matters for school enrolment for children, assignment to a healthcare institution, and municipal fees. Declaration can be done online through the Centre of Registers system, so there's no need to bring any paperwork in person.
How much does moving cost and how to save
A real-life example: moving a two-room flat with 2 movers and a van costs €65/hour excluding VAT. The minimum order is 2 hours, so the cheapest option starts from €130. If you have a lot of belongings or need to carry heavy furniture up stairs without a lift, an additional mover costs +€30/hour, but this often cuts the total job time in half – ultimately working out cheaper than paying for an extra hour with a smaller team.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| 2 movers + van | €65/hour (excl. VAT) |
| Additional mover | +€30/hour |
| Minimum order | 2 hours (from €130) |
| Evenings / weekends | ×1.5 rate |
The evening and weekend rate increases by one and a half times, so it's worth planning your move on weekdays, between 8 am and 5 pm. The exact amount based on your distance, floor, and volume of belongings will be shown by the price calculator – once you enter the details, the total appears immediately, without calls or negotiations.
What to do with belongings you won't need in your new home
The most common mistake we see with clients moving across all of Lithuania is bringing everything that's accumulated in the garage or storage room over the past 10 years. The more belongings there are, the more expensive the move becomes and the longer the moving day itself takes.
Before a long-distance move, it's worth applying the principle of minimalism before moving – go through every cupboard and ask one question: have I used this item in the past 12 months? If not, it doesn't need to come with you.
An old sofa, a broken fridge, or a wardrobe with damaged doors usually won't find a place in your new flat. It's better to hand such items over to an old furniture removal service locally, rather than paying to transport them 300 km only for them to end up in a skip a week later.
Appliances and furniture that are still usable but won't suit your new flat in terms of size or style are worth selling on classifieds sites or donating before the move – there are always more buyers locally than in a new city where nobody knows you yet.
Seasonal moving: when work at the resort is only in summer
For those working seasonally in Neringa, Palanga, or Nida, the situation is different – belongings need to be brought in April–May and taken back in autumn. A common mistake is trying to squeeze everything into your own car over several trips, losing an entire free weekend right before the season starts.
A one-off intercity move with a van is often cheaper than three or four trips in your own car, once you factor in fuel, time, and the frayed nerves of carrying furniture on a roof rack. When planning seasonal work, it's worth agreeing on two dates straight away – delivery in spring and collection in autumn – to avoid a last-minute scramble when all the teams are already booked in early September.
How to choose a reliable moving team for a long-distance move
When transporting belongings across all of Lithuania, insured service isn't a luxury – it's the only protection if something happens to the transport or your belongings along the way. Before signing a contract, it's worth checking whether the company has a genuine address, checkable reviews, and a clearly stated hourly rate – not a "preliminary" figure that suddenly doubles on moving day.
An unreliable provider is usually given away by three signs: a price quoted "by eye" with no calculation at all, a demand for full payment in cash upfront, and no written terms regarding liability for damaged belongings. It's worth reading a more detailed list on how to choose a reliable moving company before your first phone call, not after.
Common mistakes when moving for work or housing reasons
- Booking a date too late. In July–August and at the end of the season, teams get booked up a week before the date, especially for resort destinations.
- Underestimating the time-to-cost ratio. Trying to save money with just one mover for a large three-room flat often ends up taking longer and costing more overall than if you'd booked an extra mover from the start.
- Bringing unnecessary belongings. In a new, often smaller rented flat, there's simply nowhere to put a second ironing board or a set of three mismatched chairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a moving service?
Outside peak times, booking 5–7 days in advance is usually enough. During the busy season, especially May–August or at the end of the month, it's better to arrange things at least 2 weeks ahead of your planned date, as teams are busiest then.
How much does moving from one city to another cost on average?
Moving a two-room flat with 2 movers and a van is calculated at €65/hour excluding VAT, with a minimum charge of €130. The final price depends on the distance between cities, the volume of belongings, and whether there's a lift, so the price calculator will show you the most accurate figure.
Is it worth bringing old furniture to a new flat?
Usually not, if the furniture is worn out or doesn't fit the dimensions of the new home. It's cheaper and simpler to hand it over for disposal locally and buy what will actually fit and be needed in the new city.
How do I declare my place of residence when moving to a different municipality?
You can submit the declaration online through the Centre of Registers system within 1 month of settling into the new place. This matters for school and clinic assignment as well as for local fee payment arrangements.
What happens if a piece of furniture is damaged on moving day?
Reliable companies provide a 100% insured service – damage is compensated according to terms agreed in advance. Before placing an order, it's worth clarifying exactly how the insurance works and what counts as damage.
If you already know your date and destination, the quickest way to plan your budget is to check the price calculator or go straight ahead and book your move online. We've been handling flat and house moves across Lithuania since 2013, having completed over 9,500 moves – you'll find more detailed information about our flat moving service on a separate page.