Every year, about 7 million Americans move from one state to another. Some do it because of their jobs, while others do it simply because they crave a change of scenery. As long as you make the proper preparations ahead of time, moving out of state can be a breeze.
Here are eight factors to think about prior to moving to a new state.
1. Where Are You Going to Live?
First things first: If you’re going to be moving to a new state, you should look around at some houses in the new state before you do. You should not pack up all your things and move without having the slightest clue where you’re going to settle down.
Fortunately, it’s never been easier for people to shop for homes in states other than the one in which they live. Even if you’re considering moving to a state that’s on the other side of the country, you can shop for homes there from the comfort of your couch.
The internet is filled with real estate websites that will allow you to walk through homes virtually in almost any part of the country. Regardless of whether you want to move to Alaska, California, Texas, New Jersey, or Florida, you’ll be able to see what the housing market is like prior to making a move.
2. What Is the Cost of Living Going to Be Like?
Once you start shopping around for homes in a new state, you should be able to get some sense of how big of a home you’ll be able to afford. But you should consider more than just the cost of a home when moving to a new state.
You should also consider what the cost of living is going to be like. Just because you can afford a home in a state doesn’t mean the cost of living isn’t going to put your finances to the test.
There are some states that have a much lower cost of living than others. You’ll love the cost of living in states like:
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Missouri
But on the flip side, there are also some states that have a much (much!) higher cost of living. These states include:
- Hawaii
- California
- Oregon
- New York
You should search for a state that has a cost of living you know you can afford. The last thing you want to do is move to a new state, only to discover the cost of living is way out of your price range.
3. How Stable Is the Job Market Going to Be?
If you’re moving to a new state for a job, you might not initially be too concerned about the job market in that state. But regardless of whether or not you’re going to have a job when you arrive in a new state, you should check out what the job market is like there.
The job markets in different states are always changing. But as of right now, some of the best states to live in for those looking for a strong job market are:
- Massachusetts
- California
- New York
- Minnesota
- Virginia
You should see what jobs you can find in a particular area prior to deciding to move there. You might even be able to begin applying for jobs in a state before moving so that you know you’ll have something lined up when you arrive.
4. How Are the Schools Going to Be?
Do you have kids who are going to be moving to a new state with you? If so, then their education should be at the forefront of your mind.
It’s going to be challenging enough getting kids on board with the idea of uprooting their lives for the purpose of moving out of state. But it’s going to be even harder when you can’t promise them that they’ll have access to great schools.
Some of the best states for education are:
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- Florida
- Washington
- New Hampshire
You should also take things a step further and do more than just look at the states that have the best educational systems. You should also look at the school districts within a state to find out which ones are the best options for you and your kids. It’ll allow you to get your children into the best schools possible.
5. What Kind of Climate Can You Expect?
A lot of people spend so much time thinking about things like the cost of living and the job market in a new state that they don’t even stop to think about what the weather is going to be like. Unless they’re moving from a really cold place to a really warm one or vice versa, they might not think that the climate matters all that much.
In theory, you might not think that moving to a state like, say, Oklahoma is going to impact your life very much as far as climate is concerned. But once you arrive, you might be surprised to hear about how you have to take things like tornado season seriously.
6. What Is There Going to Be for You to Do?
One of the best parts about moving to a new state is that it’ll provide you with so many new places to explore. Even if you move to a state that’s off the beaten path, like North Dakota or South Dakota, it’ll have lots of things for you to check out upon your arrival.
You should decide what kind of person you are and what kinds of things that you want to be able to do in a new state. You should then track down a state that’s going to be able to set you up with all the kinds of things that you want to do.
Your goal should be to move to a new state that suits your needs best. You should, therefore, see what a state has to offer prior to pulling the trigger on a house there and moving to it.
7. What Other States and Cities Will Be Nearby?
In addition to exploring all the new things that there will be to do after moving to a new state, you’re also going to want to expand your horizons by traveling to other states and cities. But in order to do this, there will need to be other states and cities nearby!
If you move to the middle of Wyoming, you’re probably going to be stuck inside the state for the most part. That might be just fine with you. But it might also make some people feel too restricted.
They would be better off moving to a new state like New Jersey. If they settle down in the middle of the state, they’ll be just steps from New York City, Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, and more. They’ll also be within driving distance of almost all of the states up and down the entire East Coast.
8. How Will You Go About Moving to a New State?
There will be just one more thing to consider: How are you going to go about moving to a new state? This might just be the most difficult decision that you’ll have to make.
Unless you’re planning on selling everything that you own, you’re probably not going to be able to pick up all your stuff, pack it in your car, and drive off into the distance. Instead, you’re going to need to hire a cross country moving company to assist you in moving from one state to another while keeping your stuff safe.
Think About Each of These Things Before Moving to a New State
You shouldn’t wake up one day and decide: “Moving to a new state sounds like fun! I’m going to do it this weekend!” You should put the necessary time and energy into thinking about it first.
Moving to a new state is going to require a big commitment on your part. It’s also likely to shake up your whole family’s world. It’s why you want to consider it from all angles and make sure that you’re making the right move before doing it.
We hope you found this blog post 8 Factors to Consider Before Moving to a New State useful. Be sure to check out our post The Moving Checklist For Organizing The Entire Move for more great tips!
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