5 Tips to finding a new city to move to

Whether you are moving in an effort to find work, move closer or further from family, or seek out a different culture, moving to a new city should be preceded by research and thoughtfulness to ensure that you find a place that you can settle into for a time. Here we will review some of the primary things to consider when determining what city should be your new home.

1.  Identify your why

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Really consider what is motivating this move. If you are moving to be closer to family or friends, you likely already have a certain geographic area in mind and can start by doing some general research and identify cities that spark your interest. On the other hand, you could be moving in an effort to find a culture that matches your goals for this phase of life. If that is the case, it will be more important to first understand what you are looking for. Alternatively, if you are hoping to see the LA Clippers or planning to attend New York Fashion Week, you will start to limit the geographic options that lay before you.

2.  Moving Feasibility

Moving is almost always a pain, and one of the biggest things you can do to save yourself time, muscle strains, and stress is to hire movers, especially when moving to a new city you are not familiar with. As you research potential cities, look into local moving companies. For example, moving companies Seattle are a great option if you plan to move to the pacific northwest! Or, a relocation company in Phoenix is an excellent idea if you plan to move near the Grand Canyon.

3.  Budget

The first part of understanding your budget is understanding your goal. If you plan to get a house with a yard, you’ll need to explore home loan options. If your aim is an apartment with a balcony for decorating, that will dramatically shift your required budget. Each city will have a different cost of living, so determining the type of living you’d prefer and the ballpark estimate for each of the options you’re considering may further narrow down your list.

Another factor to consider with budgeting is employment. If you already have a job, then you have a clear picture of your monthly income, but if you are searching for a new job,  you’ll want to get an idea of income ranges to help you determine your budget.

4.  Transportation

Ask yourself questions about your preferred mechanism of transportation. Are you planning to rely predominantly on centralized public transit? Or, will you access everything you need by bike? Are you already planning to purchase a car to get around? The answers to these questions will determine the size and location of the city that might make the most sense for your lifestyle.

5.  Weather

This is key. Weather varies dramatically around the world and will play a massive role in how you live in the city you plan to move to, making it critical that you think about the weather conditions that are livable for you. If you know that you like a more limited temperature range, southern California may be a better location for you. If you enjoy rainy weather or dawning a winter coat in the early months of the year, look into the pacific northwest or east coast cities.

Weather will shape how you interact with others, the activities available to you throughout the year, and your general comfort, so consider this and research the typical seasons in different cities.

Finding a new city to call home is an exciting venture, and moving to a new town can be a lot of work. So it’s essential to consider the tips above in the beginning stages to ensure that you’ve thought about the factors that will influence your daily life wherever you end up calling home.