A third (33 percent) of Londoners claim that moving house is more stressful than getting married, while one in four (26 percent) think it is harder than getting divorced and even splitting up with a partner (24 percent), according to new research.

More than a quarter (27 percent) claim that packing up their belongings and moving them to a new address is harder than having a job interview, as well as starting a new job (26 percent), having a baby (22 percent) and getting fired (19 percent).

According to the new study, which was commissioned by St. Modwen Homes, the average London dweller will move home four times in their lifetime spending EIGHT days of blood, sweat and tears packing everything up and moving it into their new home.

Adding to the worry and stress, the move causes an average of two minor injuries like a sore back or twisted ankle, three arguments and five bouts of tears.

But it’s not all doom and gloom for London residents, thanks to St. Modwen Homes’ Assisted Move scheme. Through the initiative, the national housebuilder takes care of the selling process for you and even contributes towards the cost of the estate agent fees*.

As the scheme helps ease the stresses of moving, it’s sure to be welcomed by many. Especially as forking out on estate agent’s fees (40 percent), packing everything up (63 percent), unpacking all the boxes (32 percent) and telling the bank, local council and water company your new address (28 percent) are the most annoying elements of moving.

Over four in ten (43 percent) feel like pulling their hair out at the cost of packing materials and moving vans, while a third (35 percent) get frustrated having to carry all the boxes.

The stress is so much that other situations considered easier to deal with than moving include looking for a new job (25 percent), being pregnant (20 percent), doing exams (19 percent), filling out your tax return (17 percent), going on a date with someone you fancy (16 percent) and losing your car keys (15 percent).

It’s no surprise that almost three quarters of Londoners (72 percent) say that packing up and shipping out is one of the most stressful situations they’ll ever experience, so much so that more than four in ten (43 percent) find it more emotional than attending a friend’s wedding.

Jo Winston, Sales and Marketing Director, at St. Modwen Homes, who commissioned the research said:

“Whilst some of these stats are shocking to read, for those who have endured the stresses that come with moving, this will unlikely come as a surprise. We often see Brits underestimating the amount of time and money that goes into moving house – turning what should be an exciting milestone, into a process filled with anxiety, tears, and in some cases, even injuries!

“We are keen to put the excitement back into moving home, which is why we set up our Assisted Move scheme – to relieve home movers of both financial and time-related worries that seem unavoidable. Our initiative takes the pressure out of selling your existing home as we handle some of the most difficult parts of the process.

“We take care of the valuation, liaise with estate agents who will handle the listing of the property, all of the viewings and the sale of your existing home, as well as paying towards the estate agency fees. Whilst keeping homeowners informed every step of the way!”

London residents splash out an average of £3,448 on moving. With the most expensive city in the UK being Cambridge, where residents fork out as much as £3,966. Leicester, (£3,897), Oxford (£3,497) and Bristol (£3,393) are also among the most expensive places when it comes to moving home.

In contrast, Stoke-on-Trent is the cheapest city to move house with costs adding up to an average of just £1,784, along with Liverpool (£2,138) and Sheffield (£2,163).

Unsurprisingly, six in ten (63 percent) agree that costs are out of control and too expensive, so much so that 54 percent have been put off ever packing up and moving home again. However, 54 percent say they would find it easier to move house if someone helped out with the costs.

Over a third (39 percent) admit that they found it so stressful that it had a negative impact on their mental health, with 84 percent saying they would love someone to come in, pack and organise everything for them.

But for over half of Londoners (54 percent) it wouldn’t be their partner as they DON’T trust them to handle it all on their own.

In the end, despite all the stress and worry, 89 percent of London dwellers said that it is all worth it, thanks to their additional bedrooms (47 percent), larger living space (35 percent) and a bigger garden (25 percent).