Unexpected Move-Outs?

[RLinksoul]

I keep noticing this in places where this game is discussed. People mentioning that a beloved villager surprised them by moving out. I've been playing New Leaf for almost a year. Most of the time I play it ever day but there were times when I would play it only once every 3-5 days. I've never had a villager I didn't want gone move out, so I'm curious how this is possible.

I know that sometimes a villager will say "I heard this person is planning to move". That's only happened to me twice so far and it was with villagers I was specifically neglecting.

I know that every now and again a random villager will ! and approach to tell you they want to move. Does that villager just decide to move even if you don't encounter them and have the ! happen?

 

[RoseNitemare]

If none of your other villagers tells you that a villager is planning to move and you don't hear it from them or get the !, then yeah, they'll move without telling you. I used to play the game early in the morning before 11am and sometimes in the afternoon/evening, but Uchi villagers don't wake up until 11. So Phoebe moved out on me and I didn't know because she was always asleep when I played and none of the other villagers told me about her plans.