A New Lifestyle: Factors to Consider When Moving Cities

Moving is proven to be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. Relocating to an entirely new city is next level – but it’s also incredibly exciting. Moving cities offers the opportunity to hit the reset button on your lifestyle and even on yourself, especially when you’re relocating for a big step in your career. It’s a great opportunity for a fresh start somewhere new and there can be so many benefits to this. It’s important though, that you make decisions during the process that keep your own best interests at heart, to make your new life your dream life.

Is the City Right for You?

Being offered an amazing work opportunity in a new city can open so many doors, but it’s important to consider your personal life and not just your work life when it comes to decisions such as these. While a city might be a massive hub for your industry, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will gel well with who you are as a person.

For example, if you’re the type of person who likes a slow, quiet and tranquil kind of lifestyle, then a bustling city like New York isn’t going to offer you much in the realm of peacefulness. Similarly, if you’re a busybody who loves to get out in the hustle and bustle, then a small suburban town that’s miles away from the nightlife is probably going to leave you feeling bored and unfulfilled. Keep these things in mind before making a big decision!

Scope it Out

Once you’ve determined that the city you want to move to is up your alley in terms of the vibes and opportunities it presents, there are a few things you’ll need to do. You need to spend a few days around the area and see what it’s like to live there day-to-day. Keep in mind important elements of your own life. If you’ll need to commute a lot for work or study, check out the public transport and pay close attention to the roads and traffic. If you have a family or are planning on starting one, find out about the local schools and parks. If you’re a real foodie, find out what interesting local restaurants and coffee shops are available in the area you’d like to move to.

Another thing to check out is the safety of the area, especially if you have kids this is a very important factor to consider. Taking note of what the area is like at night and chatting to some locals about any crime that pops up is a good idea, as well as scoping out local security companies. The safety of you and your family should be a priority in all big decisions, and everybody will need to be comfortable with the move and your new space if you want the experience to be positive and successful.

Cost of Living

When you’re relocating, you may get caught up in the exciting side of things and forget to consider the fact that the cost of living can differ vastly in different parts of the world, and even from city to city. You could try using an online cost of living calculator to get an idea of the difference, but once again, chatting to locals about their average weekly or monthly spending on necessities is the best way to get the full picture. This is an important consideration to make, especially if you’re relocating with the hopes of an improved income – your salary might increase but if your living costs do too, it might be worth it to reconsider your options.

Your Home

Linking up with the factor of living costs, you’ll need to factor in the kind of home you’ll be buying or renting in your new city and how that will compare with your current living situation. The property market can look completely different in different areas and parts of the world, so if you’re accustomed to living in a spacious home, try to find out what kind of space your income will allow for in your new city.

Whilst those who are relocating by themselves will probably be fine in a more affordable and smaller apartment, those with families will need to be able to find and afford bigger and more spacious, family-friendly houses. Scope out some property websites and consider what percentage of your household income can realistically be budgeted for living expenses (like rent or a mortgage) and factor that information into your overall decision before you move.