According to statistics, 60% of Americans move at least twice after finishing college. Most of these moves are across state, and almost all of them are to a different city. If you're thinking about joining this group, here are a few tips on how to choose a new city to live in.
The first step in choosing a new place to live is to sit down and evaluate the reasons for your moving. Are you looking to move back closer to family? Do you want the professional opportunities that only a big city can offer? Would you prefer to live closer to nature? Knowing what you want will make it easier to choose your next home. Understanding how your decision impacts your life is also important. If you love New York but your whole family lives in California, are you willing to endure the separation?
Once you have decided why you want to move, the next step in choosing a new city to live in is researching the career field. Is there room in the new city for you? If the market is saturated with professionals in your area of expertise, will you be able to find a job? If you do, will the salary be lower because of the excess of available workforce? The excitement of the new city can fade quickly if you find yourself spending copious hours in search of a well-paid job.
Your next step in choosing a new city is analyzing cost of living, job security, and median income. Your new job may pay more than your current one, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you will be able to live better or afford a higher lifestyle. Do you know what the average rental apartment is like and how much it costs to live there? Is transportation readily available or will you need a car to move around? If you have access to public transportation, how long will your commute be? For example, you should make sure you're OK with the idea of spending time in crowded trains or buses before you make the jump to a big city.
Finally, before choosing a new city to live in, consider visiting the place for more than a few days. Rather than being a tourist, try to become as much of a local as possible. Shop in neighboring supermarkets, take the bus, and buy the newspaper. Try to get a feeling for the place. The more questions you ask before choosing a new place to live, the easier the transition will be.
