So Tia moved out, took me completely by surprise

[Skyfall]

I play every day and talk to all my villagers diligently, daily. I don't TT, and play rather slowly, day by day. So I figured, a "surprise" move-out would not happen to me. Wrong! Tia was in boxes a few days ago, and it took me by complete surprise. She never pinged me, and no other villager warned me. Sigh. I'm a grown woman in my early thirties, but I swear, I had tears in my eyes when I found out she was in boxes. I feel a bit silly, but I was really surprised!

Just posting as a warning to everyone. If there is a villager you really care about, walk by them several times a day, logging in at different times. I play only once a day, so maybe I missed it somehow.

Also, random theorizing. I have been holding onto all my villagers for a long time because I like all of them. I think in some ways, the game is designed to encourage turnover? So, maybe it was just Tia's turn to go. At least she went to a good friend who will enjoy her for a while.

 

[gingypie]

I'm sorry to hear that :[ I wonder why no one warned you? But if anything that's a good way to meet new villagers who you will learn to love!

 

[feminist]

oh I'm very sorry! The exact same thing happened with me too (with Tia too actually) but if you have 16 different villagers move into your town after Tia has left, you'll be able to get her back once the 16th villager has moved in
But, who knows, maybe while you're cycling villagers through your town you'll find another one you really like~

 

[Ras]

It can sneak up on you. I played several times today and it was around midnight that Winnie told me Bree was thinking of leaving. I don't know why she didn't say something earlier. But, I was able to stop her.

 

[cheezu]

They only warn you if the "moving" villager is outside. So it's very possible that no one would have mentioned anything unless Tia was outside in your town at the time (by outside, I mean in the village, and not the shops, main street or re-tail). Also, they don't always mention the mover right away. I once had a villager bring up a mover after I spoke to her about 8 times. Sometimes, it's sooner.
Also, reloading the game several times to catch everyone outside and walking in front of them usually does the trick - the mover does ping sooner or later. I usually do that before talking to anyone because again, talking to the moving villager will only delay the ping as they won't bring up moving in normal conversation.
In other words, it requires a lot of effort to prevent villagers from moving.

 

[Gizmodo]

That really sucks i hope you get her back one day