How to Pick a City to Live In? Here Are 7 Things to Consider Before Relocating

So, how to find the best city for you? There are a lot of great cities you could potentially call home, and it can be hard to try and narrow it down to get to the final decision. By going through our list, you will be able to understand what aspects you should be looking at and which of those are most important to you personally.

#1 When You’re Working Out How to Pick a City to Live In, Start With the Cost of Living

Are you ready to move but not sure how to choose a city to live in? Start with the affordability of the new location. There are a lot of reasons to move, and lower expenses probably brought up this decision in the first place. Maybe you don’t want to keep paying your expensive rent, or you want to get a bigger space for a price that doesn’t make your eyes roll in the back of your head.

Even if your relocation wasn’t motivated by these aspects and you’re simply looking for a change of scenery, it is still important to think about affordability when you’re deciding on your new residence. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospects of finding the best home for you, it’s best to help yourself out by booking a white glove moving service. This way at least the process of relocation won’t be a worry.

Researching Affordability Will Bring You One Step Closer to Your Final Moving Destination

Affordability includes all living expenses, from housing to grocery store prices, commuting, and other utilities. Easy access to amenities is crucial, so it’s important to do your research. Websites such as AreaVibes are perfect for finding out the affordability of different cities and other necessary information we’ll discuss later. For now, when we’re talking about the cost of living, what are the three important factors to consider when looking for a place to live?

First things first, real estate prices are one of the biggest factors when the affordability of a location is in question. Housing can have a huge impact on the quality of life and financial security. If you’re looking to rent an apartment, you should check out the average rent prices. On the other hand, if you’re planning to go house hunting, you should check out the market and maybe even contact a local real estate agent.

Next up, you should research the average prices of different expenses, such as utilities, transportation, health care, and groceries. That will give you a clearer picture of how high your expenses will be month-to-month – this will constitute what kind of lifestyle you’ll be able to have.

The last thing you should research concerning affordability is what kind of taxes you will need to pay at your chosen location. If you cover everything we’ve mentioned while exploring potential cities, you will be one step closer to making the final decision and hiring long-distance movers.

#2 Check Out the City’s Employment Opportunities

Now that we’ve discussed how important it is to check housing prices, the next big thing you should do is learn about your employment prospects. If you’re relocating because of work, or you’re able to do your work remotely, you can skip this step.

Finding a job in another state is something you don’t need to think about immediately. On the other hand, if you’re relocating without a job and trying to save on relocation costs, this is a crucial step you need to cover before your relocation to a big city.

When You’re Figuring Out How to Pick a City to Live In, Finding a Job Can Be the Deal Breaker

If you’re wondering how to get a job in a new city, you should check out the job market in the cities you’re considering relocating to and research all the companies offering jobs in your field. Maybe your profession is in high demand in certain metro areas, and it can guide you in choosing your final location.

So, narrow down the prospects by looking at the cities that have good professional opportunities for your particular line of work. While you’re doing that, you should also take a look at the average salaries before deciding to ensure it was a good one.

#3 Check Out the Education Opportunities to Help Out Your Little Ones

If you’re relocating with kids or plan on having them soon, it’s obvious that you should check out the quality of the public education system in the cities you’re considering. Research the public schools and find out what kind of curriculum they offer, and if it’s compatible with the learning style of your child.

You can look up school rankings on various websites. However, the best way to fully understand the school system is to personally contact principals and teachers. It’s also a good idea to research outdoor activities, family-friendly learning programs, local museums, and parks. This will help you create the full picture of what life will be like for your child once you’ve moved.

If the future residence has a lot to offer, it might completely soothe your child’s anxieties about relocating. Getting it right is important, but searching for good education opportunities can take a while. To be more time-efficient, you can think about hiring white glove movers. Booking long-distance moving services will allow you to move efficiently, making the experience easier for everyone involved.

#4 Consider Safety as One of the Top Priorities

No one would like to relocate to their brand-new residence only to find out that they can’t walk safely on the street or feel secure in their home. No matter what your chosen destination will be, there will most likely be some amount of crime.

So, the right answer you’re looking for is exactly how high the crime rates are and if they are of great concern. You should also look into what kind of crime is the most frequent, or in other words if it’s violent or property crimes that prevail.

A crime is a crime, but there is a difference between getting hurt and someone damaging or stealing something from you. Whether you’re relocating alone or with family, one of your top priorities should be to ensure the safety of everyone involved. That’s why you should invest an appropriate amount of time in researching crime rates in different areas. You can do that by checking the FBI statistics or a local police department online.

#5 Consider How Far You Will Be From Friends and Family

Leaving the things you know and are used to is never easy. If being in close proximity to family and friends is important to you, then moving hundreds of miles from the West Coast to the East Coast is not a good idea. So, it’s best to take this into account while researching and figure out if being away from your loved ones is something you can handle.

Maybe you’re relocating for love and deciding on a destination together with your significant other. But even if you’re doing it alone, without a particular reason, you shouldn’t worry. Making new friends will be a piece of cake once you know where to look. We’ll discuss these places more later on. For now, you can check out this helpful video with tips on how to socialize in a brand-new environment:

#6 Check Out Your Commuting Options

So, what city should I move to? Well, by going everywhere, of course! That’s why researching what types of commuting options are available is very important.

You want to be able to get around easily and check out all the things your chosen destination has to offer. So, look into these possible transportation options:

• Driving yourself – if you plan on bringing your vehicle, you should look into auto transport services, and also if there are plenty of roads and parking spots available in your chosen location,
• Public transportation – if you don’t own a car, you should look into whether the public transportation is affordable and reliable – check the reviews online or talk to people who reside there,
• Ride-sharing services – using apps such as Uber is a convenient way to get around, so check if these services are available and if they’re widely used in your chosen residence,
• Biking and walking – if you’re a fan of riding a bike or going on foot, you should check out if your desired place is bike-friendly or walkable.

#7 Check Out the Vibes and Ways to Spend Your Free Time to See What Life Could Be Like

While you’re researching the more important things we’ve already discussed, you’ll naturally come across a lot of information that doesn’t seem that essential at first glance. Things like museums, community centers, restaurants, nightclubs, and other amenities may seem like they’re not very important. However, it’s exactly these things that contribute to your lifestyle and overall experience.

You can check out the most popular neighborhood in your desired location to get a glimpse of what kinds of events and places are available. It’s also a good idea to create a list of all amenities that you feel are essential for you, as well as the ones you could go without but still want to have. Now that we’re on the topic of life necessities, it’s good to mention that you should also look into how to transfer utilities to ensure everything is covered.

Demographics Are Important if You’re Looking for a Certain Kind of Lifestyle

Checking out what the place has to offer is a good idea no matter if you’re relocating with family or doing it alone. By searching for any family-friendly communities or programs, you can ensure that you can have wonderful family bonding experiences. On the other hand, if you’re living on your own, it’s a great way to meet new friends – you will know exactly where to find them!

If you’re a single young adult, you probably won’t have a good time in a location that consists mostly of families and married couples. And if you want to enjoy a quiet family life, you don’t want to move somewhere full of college kids.

That’s why looking into the demographics of the desired place is not a bad idea. It will point you towards what age group makes up the majority of inhabitants, and knowing that allows you to predict what kind of things the location offers and whether it’s the best fit for you.

Decide Where to Live and Book Our White Glove Moving Company on Time for Your Move

It doesn’t matter if you’ve opted for New York City or San Francisco, if you’ve done your research, you should be able to make your final decision. It’s time to start thinking about what kind of packing services you require to have a smooth experience.

To make it a bit more fun and get yourself excited, you can create a unique relocating announcement, as well as an apartment checklist you should follow when the move is complete. However, don’t forget to contact Long Distance Movers and book our white glove moving services on time. With our team guiding your way, you will avoid relocation scams and rest easy knowing that your belongings are in capable hands. Now you can get excited about the next chapter of your life!