5 Things To Do Before Moving To A New Area
Whether you are moving across the country, to the other side of the state, or a few miles down the road, relocating to a new area is exciting and a bit hectic. There are a lot of elements that go into moving to a new area, and the key to a successful move is to do your homework in advance. Before you start packing any boxes, these are the most important things to do before you move to a new area.
Understand the job market
Many moves to new cities are fueled by job transfers or landing a new gig in the area. If that’s you, good job! You are ahead of the game on this one! But, if you are considering moving to be closer to family, to experience a new lifestyle, or just because it strikes your fancy, it’s time to start your job search. Even if you have a position in place, it’s a good idea to get a feel for the overall job market in the city. Not can understand the job market give you an idea of the economic health of the area, you never know when you might need to restart your job search. Learn what the major industries are, who the largest employers are, and what salary ranges businesses are offering.
Calculate the cost of living
Once you know what to expect from the job market, it’s time to find out if your salary to fuel your lifestyle. The cost of everything from health care to groceries varies from city to city, so it’s important to understand how far your money will go. Use a cost of living calculator to compare the cost of living in your current city to the area where you wish to move.
Look at housing options
There’s no point in packing boxes if you have no place to take them. Before you commit to a move to a new city, you’ll need to dive into the housing market. Use REPYYC to connect with a realtor to get an idea of what type of housing will land in your price range, which neighborhoods you should focus on and how long it might take to find and acquire your new place. Even if you are initially leaning toward renting, speaking with a realtor is a worthwhile way to find out if buying a home is a better investment in your situation.
Check out the school system
If you have little ones, the local school are going to be at the top of your concerns when moving to a new area. When you are weighing options on where to move, compare the local public schools and private schools in the area to see if they will be a good fit for your children. Then, reach out to the school district or school administrators for specific information about school selection and enrolment.
Go for a visit
While most of your research can be done online or through email, there is no substitute for getting to know a city in person. Once you have a few neighborhoods in mind, schedule a few days, or a week, to visit the area. Remember, this isn’t a vacation, it’s an investigative trip. So skip hotels in the tourist areas of the city and opt for a short-term rental in or near the neighborhood you are most interested in. Then, pop into the nearby grocery stores, eat at the local restaurants, drive through the neighborhoods on your wish list at different times of the day and find places to engage in your favorite hobbies. Though a quick visit isn’t the same as living there, a few days can give you a sense of whether this is a place you actually want to relocate to.
