In 2019, around 7.4 million Americans relocated from one state to another. If the pandemic did not hit in 2020, this migration pattern had likely continued. In the last year, most of us were stuck where we were, and we could not do much about it. But vaccines are being rolled out now, and sooner our movement will no longer be limited.
If you’re seriously considering relocating, your plans will become closer to fruition in a few months. But first, you must approach the prospect from all possible vantage points. You must not make a blind leap. Here are things you need to consider.
Logistics
You need to transport your stuff. That can cost you approximately $4,300. That price does not cover anything beyond 1,225 miles and 7,400 pounds. The heavier the stuff you need transporting, and the farther away your destination is, the more you’ll have to spend.
If you have a car, you also need to enlist a reliable vehicle transport carrier. They will take care of your automobile on your behalf. You’ll find your car waiting for you at your new home, safe and sound.
Rent
Remember that cities are not created equal. If you’re relocating to San Francisco, for instance, you can expect to pay $3,500 for a one-bedroom apartment. You must research real estate prices first before deciding to relocate to a new city.
If you’re not entirely inflexible with your number one choice, it’s in your best interest to look into potential alternatives. That’s most advisable if your top choice happens to be impractical rent-wise.
Cost of living
Factor in how much you need to spend in the city you’re planning to relocate to live as comfortably as you do in your current location. Your computation should include grocery prices, gas prices, public commute prices, and, if you’re the type to party on weekends, recreational expenses. Doing this will allow you to prepare for your relocation financially.
Financial matters
You need to assess your new residence’s health care policies. Will you be able to afford to get sick in the state you’re moving to? How about tax procedures and regulations? Will you be able to adjust seamlessly to how they conduct tax matters?
How about savings? If you’re in the process of putting away money for your retirement fund, is that something you can continue to do once you relocate? Or will it have to be postponed temporarily while you adjust to your new home?
Jobs
You’re lucky if there’s a job waiting for you at your new residence. If that’s not the case, make sure to look at the job market of the city you’re moving to. Your goal is to ascertain that you’ll be able to land a job that’s ideally in line with what you currently do. That is unless your relocation comes alongside your plan to shift careers. If the latter’s true for you, then evaluate your skills set honestly. Determine what you want to do next. See if the city you’re moving to has job openings in that industry.
You can send out applications before actually moving. That way, you already got the ball rolling.
People and culture
You want to assimilate into your new residence as fast as possible. That will happen only if you gain a quick appreciation for its people and culture. The ideal situation is choosing to move to a new city whose people and culture you’ve already experienced. And for which you have so much respect.
Weather
Some of us enjoy the cold. Others thrive in temperate weather. You should know what kind of weather suits you best. You do not want to move to a new city that’s cold nine months in one year if you’re partial to the tropical climate.
There are many reasons why people decide to uproot themselves and relocate to a new city a hundred miles away from their previous residence. It could be that they want a fresh start in life. Or they need to run after a beloved. Both of those reasons sound rather romantic. But of course, that’s not always the case. Some people move away from what they used to call home to literally run away from problems.
Whatever your reason is, do know that we are rooting for you. Everyone deserves a second or third chance to do better. If you feel like you need to be in a different place to have an improved shot at life, go for it. Don’t let anyone discourage you. You know yourself better than anyone else.