Ready to move but not sure where? When looking for a new place to call home, whether you’re retiring, going to school, moving for work, or just looking for a fresh start, it can be overwhelming to weigh out all your options. As a professional moving company, we understand how large of a decision relocating can be and want to give you some tips to make the transition as easy as possible. Everyone’s idea of the perfect place to live is different so it’s always important to take your time and really consider all of the factors involved in moving to a new home. Here’s a list of things you should research for each of your potential new locations before making the big move.
Size
This is one of the most obvious factors that people consider when moving to a new place. Some people thrive in larger, crowded cities while others prefer to settle in the secluded nature of country living. Make sure you research your potential moving destinations’ population and weigh out the pros and cons of both. If you find that you want a mix of both small-town quietness and big-city excitement, consider looking into either small neighbourhoods located within larger cities or small towns that are located close to larger cities. This way you can have the connectedness of a small town while still having access to the cultural scene of big city living. We always recommend looking up the population of potential cities and neighbourhoods you could move to as well as the population of their surrounding cities so you can get a better idea of what living there will feel like.
Cost of Living
How expensive is it to live in your potential new home? The answer to this question is often crucial information that you need to research before moving. Your search should include everything from real estate prices to transportation, groceries, restaurant, and entertainment costs. The higher the cost of living, the more money you will need to earn to live reasonably in each location. Consider what you would be comfortable spending and compare it to what you could potentially be earning in the area. When calculating the cost of living, it’s easy to just focus on the bigger costs but you need to include all of the smaller costs associated with the area (like laundry fees, road tolls, taxi rides, etc.) that will add up over time. Remember that most areas with a higher cost of living also often have more job openings and opportunities for higher-paying jobs so do your research!
Job Prospects
Speaking of doing your research into jobs, you also need to make sure you look into each of your potential moving location’s job market. You may already have a potential job lined up or are moving for work, but other times you will need to consider how easy or difficult it will be to find a new job once you have relocated. Choosing a city where you already have deep social and professional networks will make finding a job easier – make use of your connections whenever you can. Look up where there is a strong market for your specific field, qualifications, skills, or previous work experience before making your decision.
Infrastructure & Resources
Consider what each area has in terms of things like hospitals, schools, transportation, spiritual buildings, and outdoor parks. Do you prefer to walk, commute, or drive into work? Ensure the transportation accommodates for your answer. Do you or a family member need access to quality and close healthcare options? Choose a location with nearby medical facilities. Do you have children that are in or will be entering the school system? Look into areas with schools nearby that you would be happy to send your kids to. Make sure you consider all of your family’s infrastructure needs before making your decision to avoid stressful situations later down the road.
Lifestyle
We recommend making a list of all the activities that you like to do and want to be able to do at your new home. If you’re into hiking or biking, you should try to move somewhere with trails or outdoor spaces. If you are more into art and music, consider moving somewhere with a vibrant concert life, lots of museums, or social venues. While you may not necessarily take advantage of all the opportunities each potential location offers, it is always a good idea to move somewhere with options than not enough options. Weather also plays a huge role in your lifestyle choices so make sure the climate where you’re moving suits the activities you love doing. If your lifestyle involves a lot of family time, don’t forget to consider how close and/or easy it would be to visit friends and family living elsewhere.
Safety
No one wants to move to an area with a high crime rate so do your research to find the rates in your potential new cities. For larger cities with detailed crime reports, you can normally get a good understanding of the risk of personal and property crimes for a location. You can also call the local police department for more details about a specific neighbourhood as well as information about how involved a community is in crime prevention or community policing.
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We hope this list of things to consider before moving is helpful to any of you wanting to find a new home! Want more moving tips and advice? Never hesitate to contact our team with any questions you might have about the moving process. Whether you’re moving across the street or to a brand new city, choosing Deluxe Moving & Storage for your next move is the best thing you can do to ensure a safe and healthy moving experience for you and your loved ones. Learn more about our moving services and packing services that will give you peace of mind when moving. To start your stress-free moving process, give us a call at 519-212-3023, send us a message at rick@deluxemoving.ca, or fill out our FREE, no-obligation quote form. We can help make your move easier and safer, leave the work to us!