Perhaps you are considering a new job offer in a different city. Maybe your family is in need of a little extra space. You might want to move to be closer to family. Whatever the reason, moving is a big change and one that requires a great deal of thought and planning.

Before you stick a  “For Sale” sign in the yard, you want to be sure that moving is right for you and your family. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, there’s a lot to consider before making such a big change.

Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking about moving.

Job Opportunities

Your livelihood is crucial and it’s tough to move without the security of a steady job. If you are thinking about relocating to a new city, you want to start your job search well in advance so you can be sure you will have a stable income. If you don’t have a job offer already, you want to research the employment market of the new city.

Some cities have stronger job markets than others, so it’s important to take this into consideration when deciding whether or not you should move.

Shift in Cost of Living

There can be many changes to your cost of living when you move. If you are changing jobs, you need to think about how your salary will change with your new position. If you are relocating to a different city, you want to educate yourself on the cost of living in that new city.

The price of homes, rental prices, groceries, and utilities can fluctuate from state to state so be sure and compare your current cost of living to your future home’s. Even if you are moving within the same city, you want to consider a new house payment and possibly higher utilities, property taxes, and possible HOA fees if applicable.

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Housing Market

The housing market can vary greatly from state to state and buying and selling can sometimes be tougher in one place than another. You want to familiarize yourself with the market and get an idea of how competitive the market is before you move. Even if you are moving locally, there are times of the year when the housing market is stronger and this can impact the selling price of your home, the cost of your new home, and how long it will take you to buy and sell.

Schools

If you are moving with children, it is very important to consider schools before going anywhere. Some cities are known for having better schools than others and this can even vary by neighborhood.

If you are planning to attend public schools, you want to take that into consideration when choosing a neighborhood. If you are going to send your children to private schools, you will need to factor that into your new cost of living expenses. Families with children are directly influenced by the education in the area, so this is a very important factor when deciding where to move.

Commute/Transportation

Your daily commute to and from work, school, and social activities can largely impact your routine. When buying a home, you want to consider this when choosing a location. In some cases, you might also need to consider different modes of transportation. In some cities, cars are impractical and you may switch to public transportation.

Research the most common transportation in the area so you are prepared and can choose a home that is conveniently located for your transportation needs.

Whether or Not to Hire a Moving Company

Moving is a huge undertaking that can be stressful and time consuming. Many people are not equipped to handle moving on their own, and therefore need to begin researching moving companies.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the move, it can also be a convenient option to consider a portable storage and moving company. Not only can portable storage containers give homeowners the flexibility to pack and unpack at their leisure, but the containers can also be transported from one location to another making the move seamless and easy.