The process of moving is long and often stress-inducing. While the end goal brings new opportunities and experiences, reaching the end goal can still feel like a hassle. You’re not alone, however—millions of Americans move each year.
Even amid all the hustle and bustle of people uprooting their lives and replanting elsewhere, commonalities can be found. However, sometimes useful information about moving can be difficult to gather in one place. So, that’s why this article covers 10 things to consider when moving to a new neighborhood.
Personal Considerations
The personal considerations span all aspects of your personal and family life that change when you move. Everyone has their defining idiosyncrasies and tastes that form how they interact with the space around them. So, be sure to balance these parts of your life as you choose and move into a new neighborhood.
Job Options
No matter where you live, you need a way to pay the bills. For most people, this income arrives in the form of a job. Wherever you move, there must be job opportunities in your field. How many companies in your industry work in your area? Are there remote work options for flexibility?
Maybe you’re moving because of a new job—congrats! While the prospect of starting a new job comes with an array of emotions, there are a few practicalities to address. What will the commute look like from various potential homes? Do you have internet providers that could give you a continuous connection to work from home if you need to? How will you get from home to work and back again each weekday? You must answer all these questions before your first day of work.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is the average price for all basic goods and services in your area. For example, the cost of living in downtown New York City is much higher than in rural Mississippi. You can’t change the financial burden a place will have, but you can change where you move. So, be sure to factor in the pecuniary implications of your new locale.
The easiest way to anticipate your cost of living is to use an online calculator. It’ll access the cost of living index that pulls information from federal and local databases to create a simple number representing the zip code’s relative cost. Though the cost of living depends on your lifestyle, you can find succinct answers regarding the comparative expense of one place to another.
Family Makeup
Unless you’re a single person living on your own without family or roommates, moving involves your whole family. The size and needs of your family will determine the moving options available to you. Furthermore, the age of the people in your family will change your choices, making moving a much larger decision than if you lived on your own.
You must address questions such as the following: How many people are in your family? What ages are they? What are their specific needs, age-related or otherwise? What is the quality of the local school system? Are there retirement facilities in the area?
Lifestyle Choices
Your lifestyle impacts where you move. Think about things like your shopping preferences, transportation choices, and all-around housing type. Do you want rural, urban, or suburban? Do you enjoy picking up food at local farmer’s markets or at an all-organic superstore? Public transport or driving? Electric or gasoline-powered vehicle?
Moving Needs
How you move is a critical part of the moving process. Setting your sights on a location is one thing—but it’s quite another to get your belongings there. You’ll need to anticipate your moving supply needs, organize your subscription services, and file for an address change.
You should also set a date with a full-service moving company like us at Your Hometown Mover. We can help you organize, pack, and transport all your possessions from your previous residence to your new home.
Location Considerations
After weighing all these personal considerations, it’s time to assess the location itself. Below are the primary aspects you must consider before selecting a new living space.
Local Demographics
Every location is different, largely because of the local population. The place you move to will feel distinct from your previous one, so make sure you visit and explore the vibe. Consider aspects of the area such as cultural diversity, socioeconomic differences, age range, average family size, school variety, and more. This information will influence how you navigate your new life, so make sure you understand the nuances of the area around your new home.
Geographical Particularities
The geography of a place is quite important. Every area has its particularities when it comes to natural features. Will you want a place to hike? Or do you never want to see a tree again? What kind of weather and climate do you prefer? Are you open to extreme weather during opposing seasons? How about elevation and breathing sensitivities?
Housing Market
You may have thought the housing market would be at the top of this list of 10 things to consider when moving to a new neighborhood. But the truth is your house is only a small part of your new life. Every part of your daily experience changes when you move, and the place where you sleep and spend your downtime is only part of that.
You must consider aspects of the local market like availability, size range, and average cost. You should have a solid grasp of the local options before settling on any one offer.
Community Services
A new home refers to more than simply your family—thousands of people living nearby who organize events, run charitable centers and bring people together from all walks of life. When moving somewhere new, you join a broader community of people who call your area home.
So, check out the local resources and community services available to you and your family. What kinds of clubs, organizations, and associations exist in your area? Are there options for artistic, sporting, and hobby interest groups? Are there institutions with accessible areas open to the public?
Activities and Night Life
No matter your age or the age of your family, you should know about the recreational options in your new locale. Do you have a wide array of fun daytime activities, or is there a limited number of recreational areas? Do you have plenty of clubs, bars, and late-night restaurants you can go to for romantic outings, or do you have a quieter neighborhood? Every person and every family has their preferences, so make sure you understand your location’s activities and nightlife before moving.
Picking up and starting somewhere new requires time, patience, and monumental effort. However, the joy of a fresh life is rewarding. So, when you start planning your move, reach out to us at Your Hometown Mover for more tips and services.
