10 Things To Consider When Relocating To Another State
May 31st, 2024
Relocating To Another State
What are the most important things to think about when relocating? Consider these top ten things before moving to another state!
There are many reasons why someone would want to relocate to another state. While work is one of the most common reasons, other reasons include wanting to live closer to family, finding more affordable housing options, or needing a change of scenery.
Interestingly, one of the most common reasons for moving from 2021 to 2022 was a change in marital status. Regardless of your reasons for relocating to another state, there are many things to consider before packing up all of your belongings and hiring a moving company.
Since moving is a big commitment and a very stressful life event, it is important to make certain considerations before moving cross-country. Whether you are moving alone or as a family, researching and finding a state that fits your lifestyle and budget best is crucial.
No matter where you find your dream home, here are ten things to consider when relocating to another state.
Consider these ten things before relocating
Chapters
1. Cost of Living
The cost of living is one of the most important things to consider when relocating to another state. Depending on what state you are moving to will determine how much you should expect to pay on a mortgage and other every day expenses.
Cost of living differences are why paying attention to the least and most affordable states is so important. Only moving to a state you can afford and researching the cost of living ahead of time will save you time and lots of money.
As the cost of living increases across the nation, many families choose to relocate to more affordable states, especially if they want to buy a house. According to moving trends and statistics, some of the most notable migration flows of state-to-state movers in 2022 were people moving from California to Texas and New York to Florida and New Jersey.
In North Carolina, the affordable cost of living is one of the main reasons many families, young professionals, and retirees are moving to the area, specifically to the Research Triangle.
2. Housing Market
Much like the cost of living, the housing market is important when relocating and buying a home. While March and June are typically the best times to buy a house due to low competition and competitive prices, overall, your financial decision should determine whether you are in a position to buy a home.
Since the housing market varies state by state, research beforehand to understand average housing prices and whether you can buy or need to save money for a house while renting.
According to the Triangle region market update, the housing market in Raleigh is very competitive because central North Carolina is highly sought after, and there is a high demand for housing.
3. Job Opportunities
Are you moving out of state for a new job? Whether you already have a job lined up or are looking for new opportunities, it is important to move to a state that offers work in the field you are interested in.
Studies show that the rate at which Americans are moving for work has been falling for decades and hit a record low of 1.6% in 2023. Since many jobs offer remote or hybrid positions, companies find it hard to fill positions requiring someone to move for the job or work in an office full-time.
If you are willing to move for work, you can find more opportunities at good companies. Many working professionals are choosing to move to Raleigh, for example, since it is part of Research Triangle Park and is home to more than 200 companies dedicated to research, development, technology, and life sciences.
4. School System
If you relocate to a different state with school-aged children, the local school system and access to quality higher education opportunities are important considerations.
Moving with kids can be difficult since it is such a big life change, and children who move more frequently are more likely to have academic and behavioral problems at school.
The quality of the school district makes a big difference, and a good school can make the transition to a new area and the interruption of friendships easier. Moving to a state known for its good education system will ensure that your family will have only the best when it comes to learning.
Raleigh is part of the Wake County Public School System, the largest public school district in North Carolina. Home to a total of 198 schools and teaching over 159,000 students, the schools in Raleigh and the Triangle are known to be top-notch.
5. Weather and Climate
For many people, the weather and climate of an area can be the deciding factor in a move. Weather plays a large role in everyday life and can impact mood, lifestyle, utility bills, social plans, and overall quality of life.
If you do not like the cold, you probably do not want to live in the Northeast, and if you do not like lots of rain, you should avoid the Pacific Northwest. Before relocating to another state, be aware of what you are signing up for; otherwise, you might be miserable in your new home.
Always research seasonal temperatures and be prepared for weather changes you might not be used to. Moving from Florida to New York will feel drastically different in terms of weather, particularly in winter.
6. Healthcare
When moving to another state, you must consider meeting new friends, figuring out where you will be working, and finding a new doctor, dentist, and other healthcare providers.
Finding a good doctor with whom you feel comfortable and who is accepted by your insurance can be daunting. That's why it might be a good idea to ask for referrals or research local healthcare providers online and pay close attention to reviews.
Ensure you know what insurance coverage costs in your new state and what it covers. It also might be smart to figure out how far away you will be from the closest hospital in case of an emergency.
Before moving, let your current healthcare providers know that you will be relocating to another state and that you will need your records transferred. It will be less stressful if you already have everything set up and sorted out beforehand.
7. Transportation
Many people forget about transportation when relocating to another state. Will you need a car? Is there reliable public transportation? Figuring out how you will get around your new city is imperative.
Not only is transportation an extra expense, but you need to plan how you will get to and from work if you are required to commute. Depending on which state and city you are relocating to will determine commute times.
While bigger cities are known to have better public transportation options, others might require you to have a car to get around, which is important to budget for if you do not have one already.
8. Taxes
Tax laws are different from state to state and can impact your paycheck. If your goal for relocating to a different state is to save money, you probably want to move somewhere with lower taxes.
The states of Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming do not have state income tax, which can help your personal finances. Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, Montana, and Oregon also do not have statewide sales tax.
If you plan on buying a home in the state you are relocating to, find a state with lower property taxes for the most benefit.
9. Culture
One of the best ways to get acquainted with your new city is by exploring and soaking up its culture. Whether you love checking out the nightlife, finding new restaurants, listening to live music, or attending sporting events, finding fun things to do if you relocate is crucial.
Before moving to a new city, you want to ensure that you feel comfortable with the culture and that it aligns with your values. Culture shock is real, so make sure to research the local culture and learn about its history and customs so that you can fit right in.
10. Community
Meeting new friends is hard, especially as an adult, and even more so if you move to another state. The best way to meet people is to put yourself out there and seek out opportunities, experiences, and activities where you can meet others with similar interests.
While more people these days are meeting through online communities, through friends, or at work, finding a supportive community is an important part of relocating to another state and can help you feel more comfortable in your new home quickly.
A great way to meet other like-minded individuals is by thoroughly researching the many great neighborhoods in the area that you will be moving to. Do not hesitate to consider demographic data and age brackets.
Methodology
We used data and information from multiple sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, CBS News, Vogue, SmartAsset, and Investopedia to determine the top things to consider before relocating to another state.
FAQs
How to prepare for moving out of state?
Before moving out of state, make sure to say goodbye to friends and family, forward mail to your new address, make travel arrangements, and set up utlilities and servies in your new home.
How much money should you save before moving to another state?
Moving costs will depend on multiple factors including the distance needed to travel and the cost of living of the state you are relocating to. On average, it is reccomended to save at least two to three months of living expenses as well as extra money for any unexpected expenses.
How do you know when it is time to move to another state?
It might be time to move to another state if you are searching for a better quality of life, need a lower cost of living, if you feel lonely where you are, of if there is little opportunity for growth in your current location.
Things To Consider When Relocating To Another State - Final Thoughts
There are many things to consider before relocating, from the cost of living and housing market to transportation and healthcare. Sometimes these things are easy to forget about but they play a huge role during a move, especially if you are relocating to another state.
Moving in general is not easy but it is even harder starting over in a new state. Not only do you have to make new friends, but you have to find your way around a new city and adjust to a new culture and community.
As long as you research beforehand and make the proper considerations, your move will be seamless. If you are moving to Raleigh or another area in the Triangle, contact the experts at Raleigh Reealty.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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