How to Decide Where to Live on the Pacific Coast?

The Pacific Coast is a beautiful and diverse stretch of land, with everything from bustling cities to quiet coastal towns. When deciding where to live on the Pacific Coast, consider your lifestyle preferences and priorities. Factors such as cost of living, safety, and job opportunities should also be taken into account, but so should transportation, climate, and education options. With that in mind, research different cities and towns along the Pacific Coast to see which best aligns with your needs and wants.

How to Decide Where to Live? Firstly, Consider Living Expenses and Your Current Financial Situation

West Coast is a beautiful place with plenty of opportunities – but it doesn’t come without a cost. Moreover, the West Coast is notorious for its high living expenses. That is why your first step must be creating your relocation budget. Once you get to know how much money is at your disposal you should start looking for cities that fit your financial possibilities. Not doing so would result in one of the biggest relocation mistakes and a lot of financial trouble down the road.

People often dream of relocating to a big city such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Seattle, since they are some of the best places to live on the Pacific Coast. After all, they offer a great quality of life and a lot of amazing opportunities. However, did you know all three of them are among the top ten most expensive cities in the US? According to PayScale, the cost of living in San Francisco is almost 100% higher than the national average, with a median home price of $1,360,000. Luckily, there are other amazing, yet more affordable places West Coast has to offer. Take a look at the table below to find out more about some of them:

Still, when it comes to living expenses after relocating to a new home, you must count on the taxes as well. That being said, note that Oregon doesn’t charge sales taxes, while Washington doesn’t recognize income taxes – both options can be quite beneficial for your wallet.

Factor in the Cost of the Move When Creating a Budget

When calculating a cost of living you can afford, don’t forget that you’ll also have other relocation expenses to think of. You’ll need to set aside money for getting long-distance moving services or renting a truck, packing supplies, gas or airplane tickets, and so on. Also, you may decide to get additional services your cross-country moving company offers, such as packing service, in order to move efficiently and swiftly – but it’s another expense that needs to be calculated in your budget.

When Deciding Where to Move, Look for Safe Cities

When organizing a move, you want your new home to be a place where you can feel secure and comfortable. So, how can you tell if a city is safe? When it comes to safety, one of the first things people think about is crime rates. And crime rates can indeed give you some insight into how safe a city is – but they’re not the whole story. Crime rates are affected by everything from poverty levels to police presence, so it’s hard to make an apples-to-apples comparison between different cities.

One thing you can do is look at specific types of crime. For example, violent crimes like assault and robbery tend to be more prevalent in cities with high poverty levels, while property crimes like theft and vandalism are more common in areas with high population density.

That being said, here are some of the safest places to choose from on the West Coast:

• Bellevue, Washington,
• Irvine, California,
• San Diego, California,
• Seattle, Washington,
• Portland, Oregon,
• Fremont, California,
• Santa Rosa, California.

Of course, keep in mind that crimes can happen anywhere at any time. Still, when choosing a place to live, it’s helpful to know which cities are generally safer and narrow down your options – especially if you’re relocating to a new city alone and plan to live on your own.

Choose a City That Offers Job Opportunities in Your Field

When you’re planning a move, consider the industries and companies that are thriving in the area, and research networking events that could help you make connections and find new opportunities. It may also be beneficial to look into the city’s job market and average salaries for your field to ensure you can find well-paid advancement opportunities. Additionally, consider the overall atmosphere and culture of the city – is it a good fit for your professional and personal goals? By carefully researching and choosing a city that offers job opportunities in your field, you’ll set yourself up for success and career advancement

Best Cities on the West Coast for Career Advancement

Overall, West Coast cities offer a diverse range of industries and opportunities for career advancement. Whether you’re looking to break into tech or advance your healthcare career, the Pacific Coast has something for everyone. So, how to choose a place to live based on the current job market? Before you start with your relocation day preparations, here are some cities to consider if you want to advance in your career:

Good Schools Can Also Be an Important Factor in Your Decision

If you’re relocating with kids, finding good school districts will be one of the most important tasks on your to-do list. West Coast is home to some great school districts – Niche states Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Gatos (all located in California) as some of the best in the country. However, keep in mind that private school tuition doesn’t come cheap, and neither do neighborhoods in which the best schools are located. However, if you don’t have children and are fairly certain that you won’t before relocating to a new state, you’ll probably find better housing deals in less desirable neighborhoods.

On the other hand, you may wonder how to pick a place to live if you’re looking for the best universities and colleges. Although both Oregon and Washington have some excellent learning institutions, California in particular is a home for great higher education establishments – it’s a great reason to hire movers from Seattle to California and move south. To learn more about some of the most desirable colleges in the West, take a look at the video below:

The Preferable Climate Should Also Be High on Your List of Priorities

From schools to job opportunities, there are a lot of factors that can influence your decision about where to live. Still, one of the things people forget to do is research the city’s climate and scenery. Believe it or not, these factors can have a big impact on your quality of life (as well as on what to keep when relocating).

Before relocating to a new city, it’s important to research the climate of any potential new hometown. You may prefer to live in a place with four distinct seasons or an area with only two. On the other hand, you may want to live in a sunny region, but you may also love the rain – that’s all worth taking into account. Keep in mind that living in your preferable climate can have a positive effect on your mental health. Additionally, don’t neglect the fact that some cities on the West Coast are more prone to natural disasters than others – do your research before choosing where to live.

Think About Your Lifestyle and Which Amenities You Want to Have Close By

When wondering how to decide where to move, know that your preferable lifestyle should play a big part in your decision. Do you prefer a concrete jungle and endless entertainment options, or do you wish to raise your family in the quiet countryside? Are you looking for an area with lots of green space or one with easy access to the beach? Once you’ve determined what kind of scenery and amenities you prefer, you can start narrowing down your options until you find the perfect place to call home.

Think About Transportation Options and Acceptable Commuting Time

If you own a vehicle and wish to get car shipping services to transport it to your new home, you need to make sure it will be useful in the future. Some cities have bad public transportation systems, making having a car a necessity rather than a luxury. Others, on the other hand, have various means of public transportation and are well-connected, allowing you to get where you want fast and without difficulties. Make sure you do your research before finally opting for your perfect city.

Additionally, consider average commuting time, so you’ll know what to expect once you move. A long commute can be more than just a minor annoyance – it can actually have a serious impact on your health. Commuting for prolonged periods of time each day can lead to increased levels of stress, so make sure you avoid it when possible.

Once You Make Your Decision, Get Help From the Best Long-Distance Movers

Making the decision about where you’ll plant your roots is a big moment. However, learning how to choose where to live and opting for the right place is only the first step of many. Affect all, only when you decide where to move will true planning and organizing begin.

If you have a last-minute move or simply don’t want to deal with exhausting relocation-related tasks, hiring cross-country movers is worth it. They know all the ins and outs of the process and can make your move seem like a breeze. Therefore, let your chosen long-distance moving company handle the hassle of an interstate move while you focus on all the relocation benefits it will bring.