"September 1 is a day of moving truck madness, statuesque trash pile-ups, and not-so pleasant traffic jams. The day has even generated its own lingo (see: Storrowing, Allston Christmas). But despite local lore, the annual move-in phenomenon has largely gone unstudied by housing researchers and economists. There's a widely-held notion that Boston's moving day falls on September 1 because of students starting the new academic year. But is this actually true? Has it always been this way, and will it ever change?"
"'With people domiciled in the country, tradition has always fixed upon Sept. 1 as 'moving day.' It is thought to be incumbent upon them to get back into the city, prepare the children for school, and set things in order for the winter's duties,' An article from September 1, 1925 titled 'Much Greater Boston Furniture On Vans Today' also includes the date as Boston's moving day, and vividly describes the chaos of moving. The article explains that 'a certain percentage of the furniture in the city is loaded on vans, en route between one home and another.' It goes on to describe the post-move mayhem of unpacking."
September 1 functions as Boston's traditional moving day, producing concentrated moving-truck congestion, large trash pile-ups, and traffic disruptions, with local lingo like Storrowing and Allston Christmas. The practice dates back at least to 1899 and is linked to returns from summer residences, preparing children for school, and winter readiness. A 1925 account vividly describes furniture-loaded vans and chaotic unpacking. Many attribute the date to student academic calendars, but the phenomenon has largely avoided study by housing researchers and economists. Uncertainty remains about exact origins, historical continuity, and whether the pattern will change.
Read at Boston.com
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