Method 1 of 3: Exploring Your Options
- Make a list. Write down the cities, states, nations, or regions that float to the top of your mind when you think about where you might want to live.
- Run a web search, talk to people, and read guidebooks in order to learn more about each place that finds its way onto your list.
- Notice the trends. ...
- Cost of living.
- Job availability.
- Desirability and happiness.
- Crime.
- Quality of education.
- Commute.
- Quality and availability of health care.
Do you choose where you want to live?
Choosing where you want to live can feel like choosing who you want to be, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. But you can bring your whole self to one place ‘Daydreaming about each place when you’re in the other is a common experience for emigrants or people who split their time.’
What should you not second-guess when choosing your next location?
One thing you definitely don’t want to second-guess is where you choose to relocate. Whether you’re a location-independent professional picking from the best places to live and work remotely or just looking for the ideal community within commuting distance of your job, this important decision will set your life’s course for years to come.
Can’t choose between two homes you love?
When choosing between two homes you love, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and how each home matches in terms of location and style. If you truly can’t choose between the two homes, try writing out and ranking each property’s pros and cons.
Should I move between two cities during my 20s?
I have moved between two cities during my 20s and feel as though I have strong communities in each place. While both offer beautiful friendships, experiences and feelings of home, both also (inevitably) have their drawbacks. One city is where I created a lot of independence away from family and friends and found new parts of myself.
How does one decide where to live?
Things to Consider When Choosing a Place to LiveAffordability. Wealth is relative. ... Taxes. It's impossible to escape taxes entirely, but moving to the right place can trim your overall tax burden. ... Employment Opportunities. ... Real Estate Value. ... Crime Rates & Statistics. ... Proximity to Family & Friends. ... Climate. ... Education System.More items...•
How do you decide where to live to be happy?
8 Factors to Consider When Choosing Where to LiveProfessional Opportunities. ... Aesthetics. ... Recreational Opportunities. ... Climate and Geography. ... Available Mates. ... Proximity to Family and Friends. ... Environment for Child Rearing. ... The Cost of Living.
How do you know if it's the right decision to move?
The Questions to Ask Before You Decide Do I think a new place will make me happier? Do I expect to leave my troubles or hurt behind me? Will moving to a new place offer me a different kind of life, one that I want? Will a shift provide me with options I don't currently have?
How do you choose between cities?
How to Choose the Right City for YouJob Prospects. First and foremost, consider your job prospects and income potential before choosing a city. ... Demographics. ... Cost of Living. ... Housing Market. ... Education. ... Weather. ... Proximity to Family & Friends. ... Crime rates.More items...•
What makes an ideal place to live?
The most livable cities have high-quality public health care and education systems, good housing, and good public transport infrastructure. The lack of green spaces, air pollution, noise, and low neighbourhood safety contribute to higher prevalence of depressive mood in urban areas.
Will moving away make me happy?
So, can moving make you happier? Likely yes, if it comes with general improvements in your living environment, social network, and work-life balance. But it's far from a cure-all, and you're unlikely to notice a change in how you feel if your move doesn't offer more than just a superficial change in scenery.
When should move in together?
Couples should move in together when they feel that this step is symbolic of becoming more committed to each other, while also holding the understanding that you are each two separate beings who can maintain a level of independence from each other.
Where is the most economical place to live?
Here are the top 10 most affordable cities to live in the U.S., according to the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living report.Cedar Park, Texas.Midland, Texas.Ogden, Utah.Raleigh, North Carolina.Provo, Utah.Des Moines, Iowa.Austin, Texas.Minneapolis, Minnesota.More items...•
What to consider before moving to another state?
Now let's get started!Research your new city. ... Check Cost of Living Differences. ... Figure out Moving and Storage Options. ... Set Aside Extra Money for Moving. ... Power Up Your Utilities. ... Figure Out Healthcare. ... Change Your Driver's License and Vehicle Registration. ... Update Your Address.More items...•
What to consider when moving countries?
8 things to consider before moving abroad. Read Time. ... Understand visa requirements. ... Find out if you're eligible to work. ... Create a budget. ... Search for housing. ... Discover transportation options. ... Apply for healthcare or insurance. ... Keep up to date with COVID-19 travel regulations.More items...
Where in America should I move?
Its 2022 ranking for the best places to live looked at five metrics: job market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration. The best place to live in America is Huntsville, Alabama, followed by Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Where should I move tool?
The process of moving is hard enough....The 6 Best Sites That Help You Find the Best Places to LiveNiche. ... Livability. ... AreaVibes. ... Teleport. ... BestPlaces. ... HomeSnacks.
What to consider when choosing a new city?
Before you make the choice to call a new city or neighborhood home, consider costs, job options and whether you'll be happy in a new place.
What are the factors to consider when moving?
Here's a breakdown of the most important factors to consider when moving: Cost of living. Job availability. Desirability and happiness. Crime. Quality of education.
Why do you move to a metro area?
Depending on the reason for your move, you may consider a metro area with a lower cost of living to afford a home closer to work or your preferred type of home , as opposed to living on the outskirts of a pricier metro area.
Why do millennials move to a new city?
For millennials, finding a new job was the No. 1 reason they moved to a new city, according to a 2019 survey. (Getty Images)
What to focus on when moving?
For your own move, you may be focusing on the job market, or you may be most interested in finding a great neighborhood.
Do you have to move with school age children?
If you're moving with school-age children or plan to have children, education likely weighs heavily on your mind. Most metro areas offer a variety of schooling options for children, and it's important to look closely at the information about a school that will help your student succeed.
Why is choosing the right place to move important?
And because it occurs early on and sets the tone for what’s to come, choosing the right place to move is one of the most crucial parts of that process. If you can nail down most or all the relevant considerations before packing your first box, you’ll have that much less to worry about when crunch time hits.
Where do workers earn more?
All other things being equal, workers tend to earn more in places where the cost of living is high or competition for their talent is fierce (or both). For example, a marketing manager in San Diego, California, could earn 30% more than their counterpart in Salt Lake City, Utah.
How to get to the airport if you live in an exurban area?
If you live in an exurban or rural area an hour or more from the nearest commercial airport, the most efficient way to get to the airport probably involves a personal vehicle. And unless you have a doting family member willing to drop you off, that means parking at the airport. That’s a costly prospect.
What percentage of people define wealth as a function of quality of life?
Another 27% define wealth as a function of quality of life rather than finances. Still, most of us would prefer to have more money to spend and save — or at the very least, some breathing room in our budget. That’s where affordability, arguably the most critical factor for people who are moving, comes in.
Why is it important to research real estate before moving?
Thoroughly researching prevailing rent prices before moving (or even choosing to move) ensures you’ll find an affordable place — or avoid moving to a new city you really can’t afford.
Where to go for a change of pace?
If you want a change of pace or scenery that doesn’t take you too far out of pocket, consider nearby college or vacation towns with strong, diverse local economies.
What is affordable housing?
In this context, “ affordability” encompasses the total cost of living — not just housing costs, but expenditures like utilities, groceries, transportation, durable goods, and health care. The less you need to spend to get by in good health, the more affordable your chosen home.
How to choose between two homes?
The end of the house hunt: How to choose between two great homes 1 Inventory is low, but plenty of buyers are finding it difficult to choose between two homes currently listed for sale. 2 When choosing between two homes you love, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and how each home matches in terms of location and style. 3 If you truly can’t choose between the two homes, try writing out and ranking each property’s pros and cons.
What does "location, location, location" mean?
Measure the perks of each location. The saying, "Location, location, location" is a cliché for a reason. While you can change many things about a home, you cannot alter its proximity to your work, schools, grocery stores, workout facilities and other locations you’ll visit often.
What to ask your realtor about your home?
Talk with your Realtor about each home’s potential long-term value, and be sure to ask which neighborhood is likely to grow in popularity and price over the coming years.
What to do when you are in the early stages of buying a home?
If you’re in the early stages of buying, it can help to set expectations with an educated neighborhood specialist. Reach out to our customer care team to be matched with a REALTOR® who can get you started on the path to buying the perfect home.
Is inventory low for two homes?
Inventory is low, but plenty of buyers are finding it difficult to choose between two homes currently listed for sale. When choosing between two homes you love, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and how each home matches in terms of location and style.
Can you change your home on HGTV?
As HGTV has taught us, there are many things you can change about a home, but some elements will remain the same no matter how much money or effort you put in. As you look at both homes, evaluate the amount of work each will need — and how much that will change the overall feel once the renovations are complete.
Affordability
Taxes
Employment Opportunities
Real Estate Value
Crime Rates & Statistics
Proximity to Family & Friends
- If you value time spent with family and close friends, you might want to think twice about moving too far from them. Driving across state lines to reunite for the holidays (or just because) takes time, and flying is both a source of stress and a not-insignificant strain on tight budgets. If you want a change of pace or scenery that doesn’t take you...
Climate
Education System
Culture
Commute Time & Public Transportation Options