Whether you’re looking for a more rewarding job, lower cost of living, better educational opportunities, or just a fresh start, there may come a time in your life when you’re eager to move someplace new.
You may be ready for new adventures and new experiences, willing to take on new challenges and opportunities, keen to meet new people and make new friends…
But even though you may want to move, you may not be sure where to move to.
Moving across the country? Watch this cost breakdown first!
Choosing where to move is a big decision – the place where you live will define your world and influence all aspects of your life. You need to make the right choice if you’re to build a bright future and a happy life for yourself.
But how to know where to move to?
How to pick the perfect place to live?
Here is an in-depth analysis of the most important
considerations – and proper course of action – that will help you find the best
city for you.
Determine What Is Most Important to You
The first thing to do when deciding where to move is to assess your lifestyle, determine your needs, and specify your preferences.
Think about what’s most important to you, what you really want, what is a must, and what is desirable but nonessential.
If you’re a recent graduate, a lively city with plenty of job opportunities and vibrant nightlife might be the ideal location for your next home;
If you have children, you’ll need a big home in a safe and green area, near a good school – moving to the suburbs may be your best option;
If you’re moving after retirement, you’ll most likely wish to live in a peaceful area with a warm climate, good healthcare, etc.
Take some time to consider what really matters to you (a thriving job market so you can catapult your career, a community that reflects your values and principles, an opportunity to pursue your interests, etc.) and what will be best for your family (safety, low cost of living, good educational system, quality healthcare, closeness to nature, friendly community, etc.), so you know what to look for when choosing where to live.
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The decision where to live should be approached with a lot of
care and consideration – from job prospects and living costs to weather
conditions and social opportunities, you need to take everything into account
as even the smallest thing can make a big difference to your life and your
future.
1. Professional opportunities
Your job prospects and income potential will be a decisive factor in choosing where to move to. You want to go to a place where you’ll have a chance to advance in your career or establish a successful business of your own.
It is, therefore, a good idea to research opportunities within your industry and identify locations where there is a concentration of companies in your field or where your professional skills are in high demand.
You need to know that you’ll be able to easily find a job (or start a business) in your new town or city and that your income will be at least as high as the median for the area.
2. Affordability
How much does it cost to live here?
No matter how good a job you have and how much you earn, your money will go much further in some places than it will in others.
And since you will no doubt want to be able to live comfortably in your new area, affordability should be among your first concerns when deciding where to live.
“Affordability” refers to everything from housing costs and living expenses to taxes and insurance:
Cost of living
The costs of goods and services (groceries, utilities, transportation, medical care, education, clothing, entertainment, etc.) vary greatly from state to state and city to city and define the living standards in an area.
The higher the cost of living, the more money you’re going to need in order to be able to support yourself and your family and lead a high-quality life.
Keep in mind though that expensive places are expensive because they are highly desirable for a variety of reasons – the cities with the greatest career opportunities and richest cultural scenes are the costliest to live in, while the more affordable places have little to offer in terms of job prospects and cultural activities.
Real estate market
The available housing options and the median home price in an area (as well as the resale value of homes) must be carefully considered when choosing where to live.
You need to be able to afford to buy/rent a home that suits your needs and preferences – appropriate size and type of dwelling, convenient location, good neighborhood, etc.
Аnd you need to be able to sell the property without losing money if you decide to move again.
Taxes
State taxes – sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes, and other local taxes – should also be taken into account when choosing a place to live as they will affect your finances and investments.
The climate in your new area will have a great impact on your lifestyle as it will determine what kind of outdoor activities you can enjoy, what clothes and equipment you’re going to need, how comfortable you’re going to be in your new surroundings, etc.
Pick a place where you’ll feel safe and content at any time.
Even your daily activities and mental health will be affected by the weather – you may need to spend half an hour digging your car out of the snow in the morning, may feel depressed when the skies are overcast, etc. And some types of climate may have a negative effect on your health.
So, climate will definitely factor into the equation when deciding where to move next.
Think about how the weather will affect your ability to practice your favorite hobbies and activities, whether you prefer a warmer or cooler climate, how much humidity you can tolerate, etc.:
If you really love the snow and enjoy skiing, you won’t be happy moving to a southern state where the temperatures are high all the time;
If you’re tired of cold and snow, you will probably enjoy moving to a place with a year-round warm climate;
If you have asthma, you should avoid living someplace hot and humid; etc.
So, when asking yourself “Where should I move?”, be sure to look into the average temperatures, humidity levels, and precipitation rates in an area. Consider any weather-related natural disasters that are common in that part of the country (large storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc.) and avoid climates that may aggravate your health condition.
There is some amount of crime everywhere, but crime rates are quite different in different states and cities, so it’s important to check an area’s crime statistics when deciding where to live.
Identify the risk of personal and property crime for a city, consider the police presence and activity in an area, and be aware of the warning signs of vandalism, drug dealing, and other nefarious deeds in a neighborhood, so you can find a safe place to call home.
5. Commute times and transportation options
Convenience and opportunities – what else can you wish for?
Commute time has a big impact on daily life, so you should really consider the traffic patterns and transportation options in an area before making your final decision to move there.
Keep in mind that:
Traffic will be lighter in the country and in smaller towns, but you may need to frequently drive to the nearest metropolitan areas to access amenities and services;
Moving to the suburbs while working in the city will result in long daily commutes;
If you choose to live in a big city, you’ll have to deal with heavy traffic and parking issues on a daily basis.
When looking for a new city to move to, focus on places that
have good public transportation systems – efficient public transport makes it
easier and cheaper to get around and helps cut down on commute times.
6. Education system
If you have children, you will want them to go to a good school and to be able to pursue their interests, so the educational opportunities in an area will be of primary importance for your decision about where to live.
You’ll need to examine the public school system, research
school districts, and find out what extra-curricular activities are offered, so
you can pick a place that will provide a safe, friendly, and stimulating learning
environment for your kids and will help them develop their potential.
Quality healthcare improves the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of the population, so when choosing a new place to live, be sure to look for towns and cities with good hospitals and good medical care facilities.
Easy access to healthcare is especially important for
children and older adults, so senior citizens and families with kids should make
certain to move to an area where medical services are readily available.
Each town and city has its own cultural scene and different
places offer different social opportunities – you need to find the right match
for your lifestyle.
Consider your hobbies, interests, and desires, and think about where you’ll be able to follow your passions, practice your favorite activities, and lead a comfortable, enjoyable life:
If you appreciate diversity, thrive in a dynamic and progressive environment, and want a wide choice of recreational and entertainment options, you should move to a bustling urban setting;
If you cherish nature, crave peace and quiet, and enjoy outdoor activities, you won’t be happy stuck in a large metropolitan area – moving to the country or to the mountains may be the best choice for you;
If you love arts and music, you should opt for a major city that offers plenty of cultural experiences;
If you’re into sports and games, you may want to be near your favorite team and live in an area where many sports events take place or where you’ll be able to practice your favorite sport all year round; etc.
The culture in your new place should reflect your attitudes, beliefs, and passions.
Whatever you love, you need to be able to enjoy it in your new town or city.
Otherwise, you will never be truly satisfied and happy there.
You need to find a place where the culture reflects your values, where you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your recreational passions, and where you’ll be surrounded by people who have similar interests and beliefs as you.
Then, you’ll feel comfortable in your new environment, will easily make new friends, and will relish your new life.
Last but not least, you need to consider the people in your
life when deciding where to move.
If extended family and friends are important to you and you want to see them often, spend time with them, and be together on holidays and special occasions, you shouldn’t move too far away from where they live – it will cost you a lot of time and money to visit your loved ones if your new home is halfway across the country.
If, on the contrary, you’d rather not see your family very
often, you might want to move as far away from them as possible.
If you have a close friend – or a group of friends – in
another city, you may decide to relocate there to be close to them.
If you’re expecting or have a baby, it may be a good idea to
move closer to family, so you have some help raising your child.
If you’re in your golden year, moving near your children and
grandchildren can bring you lots of joy – and give you peace of mind as you’ll
be able to count on your family when you need help.
Depending on your current situation, your relationships, your
need for a support system, and your preferred lifestyle, proximity to family
and friends will play a big role in your choice of where to live.
When you want to relocate but don’t know where, considering these important factors will point you in the right direction. Yet, you will still have to be vigilant in your search for the best place to call home.
Having thought through all the relevant factors and determined what really matters to you, you will know what kind of place you should move to – a peaceful rural area, a vibrant large city, a coastal town, a warm southern state, a location that is a hub for your industry, etc.
But where exactly should you live?
How to choose a new city and make sure it’s right for you?
When wondering “Which
city should I move to?”, you’re advised to:
Make a list of the most important features you need in your new area (excellent job prospects, low cost of living, warm climate, good public schools, etc.) and the characteristics you’d like it to have (lovely parks, sunny beaches, good restaurants, vivid nightlife, rich cultural scene, plentiful entertainment venues, lots of hiking trails, etc.);
Research your options – Peruse city guides and use various online resources to find out which cities might meet your needs and preferences;
Create a spreadsheet with three columns – cities, needs, and wants. Assign values that show how well a city suits each of your requirements – from 10 (if the city offers exactly what you need/want) to 0 (if the city completely lacks the feature);
Take a closer look at the cities with the highest scores and consider the trade-offs. No place will have it all – you’ll have to give up something for another (if you want to live close to nature, you’ll have to do without the conveniences of a big city; if you want your kids to go to a good school, you’ll have to buy/rent in an expensive neighborhood; etc.);
Narrow down your choice to three or four places that best suit your needs and desires. Visit each of them and, if possible, spend an extended vacation there to get a feel of the area before making your final choice;
Pick the city that appeals to you the most and move there – find good movers so you have a safe and successful relocation, find an appropriate place to buy or to rent so you feel at home right from the start, and enjoy your new life.
And remember – if things don’t work out the way you have hoped, you can always move again.
One last piece of advice: Home is where the heart is, you know. So, when not sure where to move, just follow your heart – it is certain to find the right place for you.
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