The prospect of moving to a new city can be frightfully daunting, epically exciting, or likely, somewhere in between. The mere thought of leaving behind everything you know, from your fav coffee shop to your regular grocery store and social haunts, can be quite overwhelming - and let’s face it, the bulk of the worry is whether you will love the new place as much as the old. Nevertheless, sometimes a fresh start is exactly what the doctor ordered. To make it less intimidating a task, here are ten factors to consider when relocating to a fresh new city.
Finding Your (Safe) Happy Space
The first thing to consider when relocating is where to go! Don’t skimp on location research when it comes to scoping out particular neighborhoods, and carefully consider factors such as proximity to work, schools, amenities and general lifestyle pros and cons. Additionally, do your homework regarding the overall safety of a potential area; you can have alarm systems and IP or analog cameras, but in a dodgy enough area, you’ll still feel unsafe.
Money Matters
We all want to move to the city of our dreams, but we are (mostly) all in the same boat when it comes to living to our means. Housing, groceries, and transportation costs can vary dramatically from city to city, so it's vital to research and compare prices before setting your heart on any one place. You don't want to end up in a situation where you can't afford to live comfortably in your new city.
Career Moves
If you're relocating for work, then, of course, you’re already all over this one. That said, even if you're fortunate enough to have a cushy job waiting for you, it’s still wise to research the job market in your new city. Are there plenty of decent opportunities in your field? Is the unemployment rate concerning? None of us have a crystal ball, so it’s best to suss the new metropolis to get a feel for the general economic and job market vibe.
Weather or Not … the Climate is Right?
We all have our preferences when it comes to weather and climate, and while we can’t always necessarily shack up in the tropical paradise or ski haven we dream of, we still need to consider how comfortably we can live in the proposed destination. There’s cold, and then there’s practically glacial; there’s warm, and then there’s ‘am I a chicken being roasted in the oven right now?’ Make sure you fully understand what you’re signing yourself up for.
I Like to Move It, Move It
The cultural flavors and lifestyle spirit of a city can vary greatly from one place to another. Some cities are bursting with vibrant art vibes, while others are more focused on outdoor pursuits or luxury living. Make sure you get to the heart of who you are, what you enjoy doing, and what kind of people are your kind of people, and consider each potential destination based on matching these well - your happiness will thank you for it. Dancing? Hiking? Networking? Playing sports and games? Whatever your thing is, make sure you can do it in your new city.
School’s In
If you’re moving with (wonderful) rugrats in tow, then education will likely be smack-bang in the middle of your radar. When researching potential schools in a new city, consider factors such as class sizes, extracurricular activities, and general teacher-to-student ratios to get an all-round feel of the quality of education on offer.
Healthy Moves
Access to quality healthcare is vital to your new destination, especially if you are moving away from an area that has served you well in this regard. Research the overall quality and wait-times of hospitals and clinics in the city you have your eye on to be sure your health needs will be met.
Tuk Tuks and Limousines
Unless you’re bringing your own wheels with you, you’ll need to find out whether the city transportation services are a dream or a drag. Reliability, cost, connectivity, commute times - these and more are considerations to consider (with a good deal of careful consideration). Bike lanes, walking paths - whatever floats your getting-around boat, check it out before you decide for sure.
Where is My Tribe?
One of the most challenging aspects of relocating is leaving behind your friends and familiar social connections. Still, it's usually easier to make new friends and connections than we fear it is. So long as you choose a city that is home to a variety of events, clubs and other happenings that interest you, you should be able to plug into your preferred scene and find your tribe.
Time is of The Essence
Finally, consider the timeframe of your prospective move. Do you have a deadline for when you need to be moved and settled? Will you have time to visit and explore the area before making your final decision? Figure out your timeline before making any major decisions.
A Change is Better Than a Holiday
Changing things up to the extent of relocating to a new city is a whopper of a change, but boy, it can be just the ticket. A fresh start in a fresh new city with fresh faces and a fresh feeling of optimism - sounds pretty fresh? Just do your homework and leave no stone unturned when it comes to just how perfectly your new city will fit you.
