Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Moving

Moving to a new town is never easy, but there are ways to make it at least a little easier. Before you pack up all your belongings and set off for parts unknown, here are a few key questions you should ask yourself…

Can You Afford to Move Right Now?

The first and most important question to ask yourself before moving is if this is something you can even afford to do. Whether you’re looking at apartments or houses, moving is always an expensive prospect, and not just because of the price of housing.

You also have to take into account moving and transportation costs, as well as the cost of living in your new hometown. Just because gas, groceries, utilities, or taxes are cheap here, doesn’t mean they’ll be the same price there.

Having employment lined up is crucial, too. If you don’t, you’ll want to double-check what your destination’s job market is like, and also make sure you have a good amount of money in your savings.

Is This Long-Term or Short-Term?

Determining if you plan to live in your new hometown for a short period of time or a long one can have a major impact on the moving process. You may even decide it’s not worth the trouble.

For instance, if you’re only planning a short-term stay, you may prefer looking at inexpensive rental properties rather than higher-priced ones. You certainly won’t want to consider taking out a mortgage. You may not even want to transport all your belongings with you, opting instead to keep certain items in storage elsewhere.

If you are planning to stay in your new town on a long-term basis, though, you should definitely make sure it really is somewhere you’re comfortable calling home. It’s important that you find somewhere to live that meets your needs, but that also makes you feel safe and happy.

What is Life Like in My New Town?

When researching your moving destination, the cost of living isn’t the only thing you need to research. There are numerous factors that differentiate one place from another. Overlooking any one of these factors can leave you with unpleasant surprises later on down the road.

Climate is a big one. How warm or cold is it where you’re moving? Is it warmer or colder than you’re used to? Does it rain or snow often? Then there’s transportation. Do you have a car? Will you need one? Is traffic an issue? How good is the public transit system?

If you’re raising a family, you might want to look into the quality of the local school system. You should also consider the crime rate and the proximity of emergency services. After all, better safe than sorry.