Is a new city right for you?
The idea of moving to a聽, one that鈥檚 totally unfamiliar, can be both exhilarating and unnerving. Whether you鈥檙e moving for a job or for personal reasons (including just for an adventure), you have the chance to start fresh somewhere new.
But is a particular city聽really聽the right place or you? It鈥檚 helpful to list all the reasons why you should consider moving to a given city, as well as those that suggest you shouldn鈥檛. Here are a few categories to get you started as you ponder starting a new chapter in your life.
The overall environment
Check out the city before moving. Explore the different neighborhoods and see what area best fits you and your lifestyle. There are countless blogs and websites dedicated to city neighborhoods, restaurants and nightlife, so do your research.
Transportation
How do you plan to get around? Car? Bus? Bike? Walk? If possible, take into consideration the distance between where you鈥檒l work and where you鈥檒l live. Know the public-transportation options, and see how聽聽or pedestrian-friendly the city is. If you聽, ask yourself whether you鈥檒l have a place to park it.
Cost of living
If you鈥檙e moving to a city like New York or San Francisco, you鈥檒l probably find that nearly everything will be a lot more expensive. On the other hand, moving to a cheaper place might also mean getting a lower salary. You can compare the cost of living in your hometown and the city you鈥檙e considering moving to by using an online聽. If you want to get a better handle on your budget, consider taking the聽聽to get yourself financially fit to be able to make a move.
Moving costs
Also consider how much it will cost you to physically relocate 鈥� renting a truck or hiring movers, gas, hotels, cleaning supplies, a security deposit on your new place, and the overall cost of home goods in your new city. If you鈥檒l be聽, check out the real estate market.
Meeting people
Are you a Harry Homebody or a social butterfly? Meeting people in a new city is hard for many of us. Look for ways to get involved within the community, such as through nonprofits and volunteer groups or professional organizations. All of these are great ways to meet people with interests similar to yours. Personally speaking, when I relocated to San Francisco, I made it a point to say yes to (almost) everything, try new things and join organizations where I knew I could meet people.
While getting approval and support from family and friends regarding your move is important, it is ultimately your decision and your life we鈥檙e talking about here, so go with your gut. If there are too many red flags and you have a big sense of unease, then it may not be right for you. But if you鈥檙e constantly thinking about it, and feeling exhilarated and nervous-excited, then that may mean this is the right move for you.
Learn more about Megan on NerdWallet鈥檚聽.
