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The decision to move is one of the most significant decisions you will ever have to make. People relocate for a variety of reasons. Most common among them is the opportunity for a better job or perhaps a better position with the same company. However the decision to move to a particular destination typically comes down to "Quality of Life" and "Cost of Living" factors.
Quality of Life Factors
Climate
It's important to know what the weather is like year round
in your new home, or you might be in for an unpleasant
surprise! Tucson, Arizona is in the desert, but temperatures
drop into the low 30s during winter months. Also consider
how you might cope with certain weather conditions long
term. Some newcomers to northern regions find the first
snowfall of the season beautiful, but later find driving in
icy conditions during the winter difficult.
Schools
If you have children, you'll want to learn about the schools
in your new district. Do the public schools have a good
reputation? Are you interested in finding out about private
education? A good place to start getting answers is the
National
Center for Education Statistics. This part of the
Department of Education is responsible for
rating schools. Reports are
available that break down the average SAT score,
percentage of children who go to college, and other indicators
by both region and individual school.
Crime
Is the crime rate higher in the city you're moving to?
Feeling safe and secure in your new location will be an
important consideration. The
Federal Bureau
of Investigation and the
Bureau of Justice have Web sites where statistics on
crime are broken down by city, state and type of crime. You can
also find information on policing, security issues and local
safely programs.
Health Care
You may have to research an entirely new health or dental
plan, not only a new doctor or dentist. Web sites for health
insurance carriers will list which states they offer coverage
in. Normally included are dentist and physician referrals,
including a background of each doctor's education and field of
expertise. If you are moving to a rural area, you may want to
find out how close the nearest hospital or urgent care facility
is, particularly if a member of your family suffers from a
chronic medical condition.
The sports or hobbies you regularly participate in should also be considered in your decision. Water lovers may feel landlocked in Colorado, while skiers might be disappointed with Florida's flat terrain. These activities are often the best way to meet friends in your new community and rebuild a social network. Consider looking into not only your current interests, but also those you've never had the opportunity to pursue before. Perhaps a move to Northern California will be your chance to learn about wineries first hand!
Demographics
The government census data at www.census.gov is great source of regional information on ages ranges, male-to-female ratios and the growth rates of various metropolitan areas.
Friends & Family
Leaving your loved ones behind is the most difficult part of any relocation process. Consider how far you are willing to travel to visit friends and family members and how often, or your long distance bills and frequent flyer miles might grow out of control!
Cost of Living Factors
How far will your salary go? In your new location you might
make more money, but have a higher mortgage payment. Or maybe you'll
take home the same salary, but taxes will be lower and your dollar
will go farther. Try doing some calculations ahead of time to see
what you can expect of your cash flow.
Career
How will a move affect your career? This depends on the
circumstances. Is your current company transferring you to another
location? Consider visiting the new office and meeting your
supervisor and co-workers before you accept the position. Be
comfortable with the people as well as the job description. If you
are moving for other reasons, see if you can keep your current job
and telecommute, or transfer to an office in your new city.
If you'll be looking for a job, do some research beforehand
on which industries are growing in the area. Browsing online job
sites or the local newspaper to will tell you what positions are
open and hiring. The
Bureau of Labor
Statistics is a wealth of information on everything including
regional employment rates by industry, wages, occupational
descriptions and much more. If you are interested in a specific
field, the regional branches of industry associations are also great
resources.
How will a move affect your spouse's career? Would they be
able to relocate? Some companies offer assistance finding work for
the spouses of employees that are being transferring. Contact your
human resources department and find out.
Real Estate
Maybe you can finally afford the home of your dreams in a
new city -- or housing will be so expensive that you'll go for an
apartment instead. It's a good idea to go online or contact a
realtor and find out what houses are selling for, or how much
renting an apartment will cost. You might also be interested in
learning what the resale value of your current home is. Don't forget
to look at local homeowners insurance rates as well, the differences
between cities may surprise you.
How much money will you actually spend on the move itself?
Take into account shipping, storage, moving van, hiring a mover,
travel expenses, time lost from work and the deposit on a house or
apartment. It all adds up!
Other Costs
Some states have significantly higher taxes than others, and
even food costs vary from region to region. There are online cost of
living tools available to calculate these factors for you if you're
seriously considering a particular city.
Once you're finished researching, have a talk with your
family members about the proposed move. Listen to what their
concerns are and make sure everyone in the family has a voice in the
decision. In the end, it might not be objective research but a gut
feeling that helps you make the final decision. Do you view the idea
of moving with anxiety or excitement? Do you think of it a chore or
an adventure? Only you can know for sure!