Whether you’re thinking about moving to a new city for a job or just a new start, how can you be sure you’re making the right decision?
Moving can be stressful enough all on its own—throw in a new city or a new job (or both) and it gets even tougher. You may not necessarily have a choice in what city you move to, but you can set yourself up for success by preparing for certain aspects of life in a new town.
Are you thinking about moving to Houston, specifically? Don't make a final decision without considering these major things first!
Here are 10 things you need to consider when relocating to a new city:
1. What is the cost of living?
If you’re relocating for work, hopefully you get compensated not only for your moving expenses but also the cost of living change. Otherwise, this is the very first thing you need to research! Whether you’ll be renting or buying a home, you need to determine if the cost of living fits your budget and your lifestyle.
For example, if you’re relocating to Houston, chances are you’ll experience a much more affordable cost of living compared to your current city. You’ll probably have more room in your budget to do fun things like shopping, dining out, etc. Whereas if you’re moving to New York City, you’re probably going to experience a huge spike in the cost of living and will need to make some adjustments to your budget.
2. What is the climate & weather like?
Climate is a huge factor when it comes to enjoying where you live, so make sure you do your research! If you’re moving from somewhere like Virginia to Texas, you may be a little put off when you don’t experience all four seasons. On the flip side, if you’re moving from somewhere like Arizona to Wisconsin, you want to be fully prepared for those winters. You should also research the most common natural disasters in your new city. Every city has their own; there’s no avoiding them. It’s better to know upfront what emergencies you might face after relocating. If you hate the snow, maybe relocating to a city known for frequent snow storms isn’t the right move for you…
The National Weather Service has a great tool to see the weather in any city.
3. Is transportation easy?
How you commute to work, the grocery store, etc. is a critical aspect of your life in a new city. If you don’t have a car, does the city you’re moving to have a good public transportation system or is it walkable? Do you have a lengthy commute to the office made even longer by heavy traffic? These are questions you’ll want answers to before moving to a new city! The last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere unprepared for local travel.
4. Are there career opportunities?
This should be something you consider regardless of why you’re moving. You want to make sure there are job opportunities not only in general, but also for your particular skill set. If you are moving for a job, you should assess the career opportunities within your current organization; if you aspire to move up the ladder, is this possible in the new city? Or if for some reason you leave this job—is there plenty of opportunity for a new one? Also, you should consider your spouse—will they need a new job? This may not be a problem if you’re relocating to a big city like Houston, but job stability should always be something you consider.
5. What is the culture?
If you’re going to live somewhere, it’s important to mesh well with its culture—at least, if you want to enjoy living there. The U.S. is pretty diverse overall, some cities more than others, but you should also consider interests and values as part of a city’s culture. If you value innovation and expansion, you may not feel comfortable in a quiet suburb. A great way to research a city’s culture is to look at local online forums or social media groups.
6. Does it match my lifestyle?
How you enjoy your free time or entertain yourself often goes hand-in-hand with culture, and should be taken just as seriously. If you thrive on new dining experiences, live entertainment, or social scenes, you’ll probably find a historic small town quite boring. On the flip side, if you spend every weekend hiking or doing outdoor adventures, a big metroplex might have you feeling trapped. Your lifestyle is how you release stress and reset—you need to make sure your new city can meet your needs, regardless of why you relocate.
7. Do I have friends or family nearby?
Do you know anyone that lives in the city you’re moving to? Do you have family nearby? If the answer is no, it could be a bit of struggle to fully settle in without a support system. Especially if you’re used to being around family or friends all the time. If you do have friends or family in your new city—maybe that’s why you’re choosing to move there in the first place—ask them their opinion on living there, what to do, where to go, etc. Having input you trust to help prepare you will make your transition a lot easier!
8. What kind of crime is common?
As intimidating as this seems, this is another one of those things every city has. The types of crime and the crime rate vary from city to city (and neighborhood to neighborhood), so you should always research the crime data for any area you’re considering moving to. You may be surprised by what you find…
For example, the Houston Galleria (known for its up-scale crowd) has a much higher crime rate than surrounding areas—something you may not expect with high-end luxury. Meanwhile, Midtown Houston (known for its bar-scene and nightlife) has a much lower crime rate than some surrounding areas. However, the Galleria’s many crimes are almost all non-violent, and Midtown’s few crimes are much more serious. The more you know about where you’re moving to, the more you can do to protect and prepare yourself!
You can find crime data for almost any location here.
9. Are there good schools?
The local school systems are probably only important if you're moving with kids, but if you do, then you know it’s super important when deciding to relocate. In fact, some families will move specifically for better school districts! While most cities have a mix of private and public schools to choose from, some smaller areas may only have a few or even just one. Children are our future, and we all want what’s best for them. This means researching where to send them to school before moving to a new city.
10. What is my 5-year goal?
Where do you see yourself in five years? Not just with your home, but your career, relationships, etc. Do you plan on starting a family or retiring soon? Do you want to go back to school or start your own business? You need to think about where you want to be in the near future when considering to relocate and move to a new city. Why move to a big city if you want to retire to the countryside in a year or two? If the new city you’re moving to doesn’t accommodate your goals, maybe you should reconsider...
This may seem like a lot of information for you to digest before you move, but you’re not expected to do it alone! A real estate agent will be your best friend when relocating to a new city; they have a lot of tools and resources to help you make the most informed decision possible. With their help, you’ll love your new home in no time!
Considering relocating to or from Houston? We can help! Contact us and we’ll help make sure you have a smooth and easy transition with our nationwide network of agents. You can also find details on living in different areas of Houston with our neighborhood guides.
Alexis Feezel is a results-oriented Marketing Coordinator responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all promotional strategies and activities to effectively market clients & listings and maximize sales.