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8 Factors to Consider Before Moving to a New City

Have you gotten the itch to move to a new city? Whether you’re looking to move thirty miles away or three thousand, it’s important to research and educate yourself on a variety of factors before making a move to a new place.

1. Goals

Why leave where you are right now? What do you want to gain from a move? Perhaps it’s a change of scenery, a better chance to land a dream job, or maybe it’s a way to test out being away from home. Whatever the reasons, make sure you’re clear on WHY you want to move so you’re able to manage your own expectations.

2. Your network

Whom do you know in this city? If you know people in the city that you move to and leverage those relationships, then the transition could be much easier than if you move somewhere with no network at all.

If you don’t have a network, that’s okay! Just know that you’ll need to be vulnerable and put yourself out there to meet new friends and make professional connections.

You can also ask your current network for connections to people they know who live in the city you’re wanting to move to, so you can pick their brains about what it’s like to live where they are from afar.

3. Career opportunities

We spend so much time working. You’ll want to ensure that the place you move to has ample opportunities in your field before making a final decision. One strategy you can use is to reach out to people who have a similar job title that you want (in the same field that you work in) on LinkedIn and ask for a 10-minute networking call/email to discuss the job market, networking groups to join, events to attend, etc.

4. The weather

What kind of weather do you prefer, and what’s the weather like in the place you’re eyeballing? This factor actually makes a HUGE impact if it’s not aligned with your preferences.

5. Pleasurable activities

What activities light you up and feed your soul? It’s important to research if those things are commonplace in your potential new city or not. Is there a vibrant food scene? Or at least some good options for the cuisine of your choice? Whatever activities that you enjoy doing, go on a research spree to see if they exist where you’re considering moving.

6. The cost of living

What are the different neighborhoods, and what’s the going rate for a rental or buying a home? How much does it cost to buy groceries, utilities, etc? Are there ample parking options or do you have to pay for monthly parking? How much are taxes?

7. The city’s vibes

What’s this place known for? Good live music, the land of endless career opportunities, its laidback culture? Know what you may be getting yourself into before you’re in it

8. The pros and cons

Wherever you’re now, you have a life and a routine that will undoubtedly be up-ended if you decide to move. Make a list of pros and cons for each place so you can compare your “current state of being” to your potential “future state of being”. This can highlight gaps/deficits that may be hard to see with the thrill of moving on your mind.