Planning a move is an exciting but overwhelming experience, especially when you have yet to learn how to pick a city to live in. There are so many variables to consider, from location and budget to job prospects and lifestyle preferences. If you’re considering relocating along the West Coast, take a look at our simple guide and get all the answers on how to find the best city for you.
You’ll need to take a number of factors into consideration when looking for a place to live, starting with the cost of living – be confident that you’ll be able to afford your new life. Next, you need to get information about job availability, climate, safety, amenities, and recreation options – these are the components that will determine which city makes the most sense for your unique lifestyle. Based on this research, you should pick a city that completely suits your needs.
Consider Living Expenses You’ll Be Met With
Relocating to a new city can be something you choose to do in order to start living on your own, get new experiences, and become more self-reliant. Other times, there are relocation reasons that will make you take this step – you can decide, for example, to move for a job to a place with a better job market. Whatever the reason, one of the first steps in deciding where to live will be researching the cost of living.
No matter where you are relocating to, one of the largest portions of your budget will likely be dedicated toward housing costs – and they tend to be tremendous on the West Coast. Whether it’s median home price or median rent, this part of the country is infamous for its high prices. According to the World Population Review, California, Oregon, and Washington are all amongst the top fifteen most expensive states in the US. It’s especially true for well-known metropolises, so before you decide to move to Los Angeles or, for example, relocate to Seattle, make sure you can afford it.
On the other hand, you can always choose to move to Arlington or, for example, plan a relocation to Salem if you’re looking for places that have a lot to offer but for more affordable prices.
Should You Get a Roommate After the Move?
Having a roommate can be extremely beneficial if you’re looking for ways to save money on rent, utilities, and other household expenses. Plus, living with someone else after relocating to a new city alone means there will always be someone around when you need help or just want some company.
However, before deciding whether or not to get a roommate, it’s essential to think about your lifestyle and preferences when it comes to living arrangements. Do you prefer living alone? Do you like having people around? How do you feel about sharing space and resources? These are all questions that should be considered carefully before making your decision.
Lastly, don’t forget how important it is that both roommates have similar expectations when it comes to cleanliness and respect for one another’s belongings and privacy. Without these considerations in place, living together may quickly become difficult or even unbearable. On the other hand, if you find a roommate you can get along great with, it can even be the start of a lifelong friendship.
Think About Other Living Expenses, Besides Housing
Before hiring long-distance movers and relocating to a new home, be sure to factor in all costs you’ll need to cover, such as utilities, groceries, or transportation. At the same time, one of the most important things to look into when researching cities is their local tax rates. Different states have different rules on what items they will tax – Washington, for example, doesn’t have an income tax, while Oregon doesn’t recognize sales tax. Therefore, it’s essential to research each state ahead of time.
Research Job Opportunities a New City Can Offer
It is important to research the local economy before making any final decisions on where to live – and see if there is a demand for jobs in your field of work. You don’t want to make the relocation mistake of moving to another city and spending all your savings while trying to get a job.
Doing research on specific companies can also help inform your decision-making process when it comes to picking a city to live in. If you want to boost your career and already know which companies or organizations can help you do so, then make sure that they have offices located in the cities you are considering. Many companies advertise their open positions online, so check these details prior to starting your search for a new home.
In today’s world, it’s even possible to get a job before you move to another state. If you need some tips on how to perform a long-distance job search and apply for a job from afar, check some relocation tips from the following video:
It’s Always Good to Live in a City With Your Preferable Climate
When you want to find a perfect city, you should consider not just job opportunities and the cost of living but also the local climate since it can have huge impacts on both lifestyle and health over time. Knowing what kind of climate you prefer and being able to find a place that offers that type of environment can greatly increase satisfaction levels for anyone planning a move. Here is why choosing the place with the right climate is important:
A good climate brings many health benefits
The climate that you choose to live in impacts not only your lifestyle but also your overall mental health. If you like warmer weather and a lot of sunshine, it’s only natural to consider relocating to San Diego and cities with similar climates rather than choosing the rainy Pacific Northwest – and vice versa. The climate you live in can affect your moods and emotions in a positive or negative way, depending on whether you like it or not.
Adaptation depends on climate preference
When relocating to a new state, some people find it easier to adapt when they already have their preferred climate there. For example, if you get annoyed when it’s too hot outside, you’ll find it hard to adapt to life in many Californian cities. It goes the other way around, as well – you will need a lot of time to adjust after relocating to a cold climate if you can’t stand cold temperatures.
Quality of life is affected by climate
The quality of life is often affected by the local climate since it determines what kind of activities someone can do outside at any given time of year. For example, if someone lives in an area with hot summers and mild winters, then there are plenty of outdoor activities that one could take part in throughout all four seasons, such as swimming in summer or skiing in winter. However, if someone lives in an area that has extreme seasonal changes, then outdoor activities such as skiing or running may be limited during certain parts of the year – which could negatively affect the quality of life for that person over time.
Choose a Safe Place With Good Education Opportunities
Educational opportunities should be at the top of your list of considerations, especially if you’re relocating with kids (or plan to move for college). The best way to find quality schools is by researching school ratings and reviews online as well as talking with local parents in the area. This will give you an idea of how satisfied people are with their schools and what kind of programs they offer. It is also important to consider whether or not there are any specialized programs available such as honors classes, gifted programs, or vocational courses, that would benefit your children.
When hiring a cross-country moving company and planning a move, choosing a safe location for your family is important. Before you opt for a specific place, get informed about safety issues such as crime rates, police presence, and neighborhood watch groups. Your relocation to-do list can also include researching local crime rates with the help of apps such as Neighborhood Scout, which provides detailed information about different areas across the country.
Keep Your Preferred Lifestyle in Mind When You Need to Choose a City to Live In
Before you start researching cities, ask yourself what type of environment will bring you the most relocation benefits. Once you determine what kind of atmosphere appeals to you, list the amenities that matter most to your lifestyle.
For instance, if being surrounded by nature is important to you, look for cities with access to parks or green spaces when it’s time to move out of state. On the other hand, if you need good access to cultural amenities, then having places like theaters, museums, and galleries nearby could also be high on your list of priorities.
Before getting long-distance moving services and booking a professional packing service, make sure that these needs and wants are realistic within the size of the city that interests you. Remember – if it’s a small town, there likely will be less cultural variety than in larger cities.
Car Shipping Services
We can ship your vehicles using the best freight options available. Your car will be moved safely and securely and arrive as planned.
Storage Services
Looking for storage space while you get settled? California-Seattle Express provides 30 days free storage with your move.
Corporate Relocation
Are you given the responsibility of the office move? It can be stressful but we can help you plan and get things rolling.
What City Should I Move To? Deciding Between Metropolises and Small Towns
From vibrant nightlife to hundreds of restaurants and bars, major cities offer attractions that keep people entertained for days on end. In large metropolitan areas, there is always something going on, which makes planning weekend activities fun and easy. Plus, when you live in one of the world’s great cities, you have access to some of the best educational institutes, career opportunities, and culture. However, the cost of living tends to be higher than in smaller towns. Additionally, traffic jams can be a significant hassle during peak hours, and crime rates tend to be above average compared to small towns.
On the other hand, small-town life has its own unique charm – tight-knit communities with friendly neighbors who know each other by name are not uncommon. However, they don’t come with all the amenities you’ll get with life in a metropolis. Ultimately, you should base your decision on your preferred lifestyle. Try to think about where you see yourself a couple of years from now and start your relocation day preparations according to it.
Now That You Know How to Pick a City to Live in, Find the Best Cross-Country Movers to Help You Move
Once you’ve found a place that suits all your needs and wishes, it’s time to start planning a move. However, you must be careful since it can get pretty overwhelming. That is why many decide to get help from the best long-distance moving company nearby and move efficiently. If you’re considering it as well, then the only thing you need to do is decide whether you’re going to need movers from California to Seattle or movers from Seattle to California – and let them make your move much easier.
