Moving To Another State? Here Are Some Things To Consider First
The global health crisis sparked an increased interest in long-distance moving. Some people want to capitalize on the buyers market or be closer to relatives. Others are interested in finding gainful employment or a more affordable cost of living. Whether the reason is financial stability, personal gain, or peace of mind, selecting a place to move isn’t a simple decision. As out-of-state moves are stressful and expensive, you must consider all factors.
Your Budget
An essential part of being financially stable means leading a lifestyle you can afford. Before making any decisions on where you’d like to live, you should have a clear understanding of your finances. Based on your current income, how much can you afford to pay for rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses? When evaluating these factors, ensure that you’re as honest and accurate as possible to avoid biting off more than you can chew.
Cost of Living
You may have your eyes set on a particular city or state already, but how much will it cost you to live there? The cost of living is an average of monthly expenses ranging from housing to entertainment. It gives you a general idea of what you’d need to make annually to live comfortably in a particular area. Review this data for the destinations you’re most interested in relocating to.
Job Market
If you don’t already have a job lined up, you must evaluate the employment opportunities in a city or state. Investigate more to learn things like the types of companies in the area, unemployment rates, and job types. Does the information you’ve discovered align with your educational or professional background? More importantly, do the average salaries for these jobs enable you to live a comfortable life?
Neighborhoods
A nice and affordable house or apartment isn’t all you should consider when evaluating places to live. You also want to be aware of what the neighborhoods are like. Is there high crime in the area? Are there quality schools for your children? Is it a family-oriented neighborhood, or is it more of a singles town? Who are the government officials in the area, and how have they helped their communities? If you don’t know anyone that lives in the area, talking with a real estate agent is recommended. For instance, a local realtor could give insight into neighborhoods in the city. You can even look at online recommendations, so if you’re moving to Kansas City and you love golf, try looking for the best golf courses in Kansas City before you move to get a good idea of the options available.
Cost Of Moving
Relocating long-distance is more expensive than you may have imagined. You’ll have to hire long-distance movers or rent a moving van (and pay for gas and tolls) to travel out-of-state. Not to mention, you’ll have to pay for transportation for you, your family, and your pets. If you’re relocating across the country, you may even need to pay for an airline ticket or hotel along your route. Moving companies can provide estimates for their services to make it easier to calculate the cost of your out-of-state move.
Personal Considerations
When deciding to move long distances, you have to get detailed to ensure you’re making an informed decision. For example, what is your cultural or religious background? Does the community you’re relocating to support or consist of like-minded people? If you or a family member has certain health conditions, are there medical experts in the area you can visit for treatment? You should also consider factors like entertainment. Does the town you’re considering have establishments and activities that coincide with your interests? And, of course, you should also consider if the place you’d like to move to has the basic medical services you need. For example, if you’re moving to Florida, you should see if they have dentists who offer a comprehensive list of services like crowns, bridges, implants, and teeth whitening in naples. You should also see if there are reliable physicians and pediatricians if you have kids.
The chaotic times we’re in may have convinced you that it’s time for a move. No matter your reasons for relocating to a new state, don’t make the decision without research. Wherever you move to, you want it to be someplace where you and your family can live comfortably and flourish. Although nothing is foolproof (i.e., things happen), the best way to ensure you move somewhere beneficial is to do your due diligence by considering the list of factors provided above.
