by Katherine Allen from Hugh James

People move for many reasons – a new job, proximity to friends and family, going to college, etc. But moving to a new city can be stressful. One way of reducing the pressure of relocating is to consider what you want from your new city life and what you need the city to provide to maximize the benefits of your new surroundings. Here are a few points to think about.

Accommodation – Is it available and affordable?

You will need to find a place to live wherever you move to. Whether you are renting or buying, being able to afford the rent or the mortgage payments will make things much less stressful. Checking whether you can comfortably afford housing in the area you want to live in will make the difference between loving or loathing your life in that city. It is a good idea to spend some time in any cities you have short-listed as possible locations to move to so you can familiarize yourself with the city and ensure you would be happy to live there. Scope out which neighborhoods best suit you based on safety, proximity to places you want to be nearby, the neighborhood structure, etc.Once you have identified possible locations, subscribe to an online real estate portal to keep an eye on properties coming up for rent or sale in that area to see which accommodations are available and whether they are within your budget. Also, talk to some real estate agents who can advise you on the market and how quickly properties are sold or let you know how promptly you need to react when you see a property you want to move into. They can also send you an alert when a property comes up that meets your requirements.

Transportation

Once you have a short list of areas you would like to move to, you can consider what each of them offers regarding transportation. How are you going to get around in your new city? Many cities have good public transport networks within the city itself, while in others, it may be essential to have a car. If you are going to make a regular journey within the city, for example, to go to work, you should get an idea of the cost of that journey. Additionally, if you are leaving behind family when moving to a new city, consider how easy it is to travel back to see them when you want or need to.

Crime Rates

Being the victim of a crime can significantly impact your experience in a city. Information is available online about the crime rates for most cities. If you take some time to research this, you might find that any preconceived beliefs you might have about crime in the cities you are considering moving to are unfounded. It will be much easier to settle in a city where you feel safe, so taking a little time before moving to consider this issue might serve you well.

Facilities

The expectation will be that the city you are moving to will be well served with the availability of social venues such as bars and restaurants, gyms, theatres and cinemas, and in respect of shopping facilities, schools, doctors and hospitals. The availability of a high-speed internet connection may also be an essential consideration. Identify which facilities are most important to you and how close you need to be to them. Doing so will help you identify where you want to live within the city.

Climate

If you like a particular climate, choosing a city that offers that climate could be a key factor. Moving to a city with a wet and cool climate is unlikely to work for you if you feel better in a warm and dry environment. There is plenty of information about weather trends by area online, but if you already know people living in your potential location, speak to them, as local knowledge can often give some context that you might not get from statistics.