Thinking About Moving to a New State?

As of 2022 ,the average homeowner stays in their home in the U.S is between 10.5 to 13 years according to First American Data & Analytics and Redfin. It varies per state but it would be safe to say that your first house will not necessarily be your forever home. There are various reasons why we move out, some may want an upgrade while others are downgrading. The house that you have when you are starting a family may not fit your current living condition or dynamics after 5 to 10 years. Your work location and the travel time may also be a factor. A change of scenery, change of climate and change of lifestyle is a big factor why others are opting to move out of state.  

The idea in itself is a bit daunting as even moving to another town or city would already require a lot of planning, packing and moving. You will be uprooting yourself from friends and family, a familiar place, familiar routes and weekend destinations or even grocery stores and gas stations. To say that this will be a big decision will be a major understatement.

Before even considering it, researching the states that you are interested in should be the first on your list. Make a list of the top 5 states you want to consider moving to and then weed out the option one at a time until you have your best option.  Would the weather be ideal for you?  Are the crime rates low in that area?  Why is this the best location for me?  How many years do I see myself staying there? Are there job and career opportunities available, and how about the local amenities? We’ve followed a couple great YouTube channels over the years that may help you find the ideal state and location to call home. Check them out if you need some inspiration,  World According to Briggs, From Here to There and Nick Johnson. Once you have decided on a state to call home, Niche.com can help you with statistics and reviews and Zillow.com can help you find active listings that fit your price budget to help you narrow down the communities you’re interested in. 

Now it’s time to plan a visit.  Being a tourist and being a resident are two different stories but the first step is to get a feel of what it is like to be there. You may have liked the place as a tourist but ask yourself if you see yourself actually living there. There are also factors like the schools in the area, local community, medical facilities, etc. Walk around the neighborhood or visit local restaurants and farmer’s markets and follow the past weather patterns throughout the four seasons to see how you would feel living in that area.

Create a financial plan. Making a move would mean costs and creating a budget would be ideal.  Canvas for the cost of moving companies, real estate closing cost fees, gas expenses and a fund for unexpected costs along the way.  If you are moving out of state, the cost of living may be higher or lower than where you are right now so prepare to adjust accordingly. Being ready for all sorts of scenarios from logistics, repairs and accommodation should be high priority.

Set a realistic timeline for your big move. It may not happen in the next month or even in the next 5 months but building a timeline will make the move less overwhelming. It can also help you keep things into perspective and help you avoid hasty decisions. If you are considering the Magic Valley in beautiful Southern Idaho, we at Perez Team Properties will be glad to help you in every step. Contact us for your questions and inquiries.