We are seeing more and more people picking up and moving cities, provinces, or countries for a new start. Perhaps the pandemic gave us all time to think about what is important to us and what we want with our lives. It got us thinking-how does one research and decide where to move?!
We talked to our clients and found a couple of fantastic websites that they have been using when they are researching a new city or town. The first one is Townfolio Find Community Data | Townfolio. This website looks at cities across Canada and the United States. On a quick search, you can find the population, labour force, median age, and median household income in the area. The best part about this website? They are a Canadian-based company out of Edmonton, Alberta.
The next website that might help in your journey to deciding where you want to settle and call home is a website called Area Vibes Best Places to Live In the US & Canada (areavibes.com). We are loving this website as it gives each place a liveability score on factors such as amenities, cost of living, employment, housing, and schools.
When deciding to move cities, provinces/states, or even countries there will be extra costs to move your personal belongings. The larger the distance, likely the bigger the price tag that will go along with that. When it comes to bigger items consider whether or not it might be better to sell them and replace them as needed in your new home. Sometimes larger furniture items do not fit, or fit well, in new spaces. Like everything be sure to shop around when looking for moving companies. One of the larger ones that our clients have used is Atlas Van Lines Local & Long Distance Movers | Atlas Van Lines Canada – Just another WordPress site
Here is a list of questions to sit down with your household to discuss before making a big move
1. What is your motivation? Financial? Fun and adventure? Escape?
2. If you are moving with a partner-are you both fully committed and on board? OR are you single and doing this alone?
3. Do you have children or pets to consider?
4. Will you need to find employment?
5. Are you thinking about moving forever or just for a few years?
6. Do you have health issues? Will the services you need be available in the new city/town?
7. What is your ideal lifestyle?
You will need to balance being realistic with not compromising on the most important factors for you.
Write these in order of most important to you:
Climate/weather
Affordability
Community
Activities available
Healthcare
Accessibility
Real estate affordability/ length of stay (one year, five years, forever?)
Ease of transition.
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