Want to move to a new place but don’t quite know where you’d like to end up? If so, we’re here to help! At Ace Moving & Warehousing, we’ve been helping Minnesotans move throughout the country and the world for more than 40 years. In that time, we’ve gathered quite a bit of insight into why people choose to move where they do, and in this blog, we’re sharing some of what we’ve learned.
Read on for six questions you’ll want to ask yourself to help determine where you may want to move next.
1. What’s My Move Budget?
Have you thought about how much you can spend on your move? If it’s not a substantial amount, you may need to stay closer to home — at least until you save up for a bigger move in the future.
If, on the other hand, your moving budget is large enough to accommodate hiring a professional moving company that can transport your stuff anywhere in the country, you’ve got more options. Long-distance moving is a huge endeavor and likely not one you want to undertake solo.
If you’re planning on moving a ton of stuff, think about your budget before you decide on a location for your new home.
2. What’s the Cost of Living? Can I Afford It?
If you’re considering a handful of cities but can’t narrow down your choices, start by asking yourself how much it’ll likely cost you to live in each place. Consider:
- Your current or expected monthly income
- Housing costs
- Transportation costs
- Cost of food and other household goods
- Entertainment costs
- Cost of healthcare
Once you’ve gathered cost of living estimates for each locale, think about whether you can afford to live in each place comfortably. Keep in mind that if you’re considering moving to a city with a high cost of living, chances are you’ll also earn more there if you’re planning to get a new job.
3. What Does the Job Market Look Like?
Are you moving because you’re looking for a new job? Then you’ll need to look at the job market in each place you’re considering. If it’s strong, especially if there’s a lot of hiring activity going on in your field, that’s great. But you’ll also need to research what salaries look like in your field. Are they generally higher or lower or relatively the same? How will those salaries factor into your ability to afford a comfortable living in each place?
If you work a remote, corporate job and plan to continue doing so after you relocate, consult with your employer before you make a decision. Some companies have restrictions on where remote employees can reside, and if yours does, that’ll play a role in your decision.
4. What Kind of Taxes Will I Pay?
Lots of folks don’t think about the potential tax implications of moving to a new state or country. But every place in the world has its own tax laws, and those laws could seriously impact your expenses, depending on where you choose to go.
For instance, if you move to San Diego, California from Minnesota, your overall tax burden will likely decrease slightly (from about 10.2% to around 9.72% as of 2022). And if you move to a city where you’re not required to pay state income tax — like Tampa, Florida — it’ll decrease dramatically. But if you move to New York City, be prepared to shoulder a greater overall tax burden than you do right now (around 12.75% as of 2022).
5. What’s the Quality of Life Like?
Quality of life encompasses anything that affects your mental and physical well-being. So when you’re entertaining a few new locations to call home, the quality of life question is perhaps the most important one you can ask yourself. Here are some quality of living questions to think about.
What’s the Climate Like?
Do you want to live somewhere with seasons or somewhere that’s warm all the time? Have you thought about potential natural disasters and which ones you’re okay dealing with?
What’s the Culture Like?
Does the area have a young, lively vibe? Or is it calmer, quieter, and more family or elderly friendly? Is there a lot of diversity? Is it urban enough for you? Rural enough? Somewhere in between? Think about what you prefer, as well as what you like and don’t like about the culture where you currently live.
What Kind of Entertainment Opportunities are There?
Do you want to live in a place where there’s always something fun going on? Do you want access to art and music events? How about unique restaurants? Or are you more of an introvert who’d rather cozy up at home on the weekends? If you love being out and about whenever you can, think about whether each city offers enough activities to keep you busy.
What Kind of Recreational Opportunities Are There?
Aside from entertainment, what do you like to do in your free time? Do you like getting outdoors? Do you need to live somewhere with easy access to hiking, swimming, kayaking, climbing, camping, etc.? Or do you prefer more of an urban jungle type of recreation?
Think about how far you’re willing to travel to access the outdoor environments you like to spend time in. In some cities, you’ll have to drive several hours to reach more secluded, natural territory.
6. Do I Have Any Connections in the Area?
Are you an adventurous spirit who’s totally fine moving to a new place not knowing anyone in the area? Or would you prefer to have a least a few connections when you get to your new home?
For lots of folks, having at least a few acquaintances, friends, or family members in the area can make the transition to a new city a bit easier. But if you’re the type who easily makes new friends wherever you go, choosing a locale where you don’t know anywhere can feel pretty exhilarating.
Ace Moving & Warehousing: Twin Cities Residential Movers You Can Trust
Whether you’re thinking about moving within the Twin Cities area, somewhere else in Minnesota, or to a new U.S. city, let our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing help you out! For more than 40 years, we’ve proudly provided a wide range of professional moving services and specialize in local, intrastate, interstate, and international relocations.
To learn more about our services or get a preliminary estimate, feel free to call our Minneapolis office at 763-755-2045. You can also request a fast quote online, and we’ll get in touch with additional information.