How to Decide Where to Live

There are countless factors to consider when you’re deciding on where to settle down, and it also depends heavily on what is most important to you. If you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of deciding where to live, check out our list of which aspects to consider to help you know where to start.

Can I Afford it?

The first question to ask yourself while you’re assessing possible locations to live is whether you can afford to live in the area. Be sure to look into the cost of living, home prices, transportation, and taxes.

What Kind of Weather Am I Looking for?

Another important factor to consider is the climate of a location. If you’re looking specifically to move to a certain climate, this might be your top consideration. Otherwise, you will want to think about if you prefer somewhere warm and sunny or somewhere that features all four seasons. Don’t forget to consider what sorts of weather events different areas experience. Some locations might have to contend with blizzards while others may deal with hurricanes or tornados.

Do I Want to Be Close to Certain Family and Friends?

Proximity to family friends is a significant motivation for where people settle down. Consider how important living near loved ones is to you. Or maybe you are looking to make new friends in a new location. Determine how far you’re comfortable being from the loved ones in your life. Do you visit family often and need to be within driving distance? Or is taking a plane when it’s time to visit acceptable?

Do I Prefer the City Life, Country Living, or Something in Between?

You’re going to want to consider the lifestyle you’re looking for when you are evaluating where you want to live. Living in a city and living in rural areas are vastly different. Do you like to be around tons of people in a fast-paced environment with lots of amenities and things to do? Or do you prefer a little more peace and quiet? Each option has its own drawbacks so take some time to figure out the kind of environment that would make you feel most at home.

What Job Opportunities Do I Want to Be Around?

While many jobs are moving online, there are still plenty of opportunities to be found in person. Plus, it’s a good idea in general to live near your industry or opportunities that interest you. Make sure to research which types of industries and employers exist in which areas as you do your research. And while you’re at it, be sure to check out average salaries for the area.

What Kind of Culture Am I Looking for?

Every location has its own unique culture. Some cities or towns are deeply centered around music, sports, art, or history. It may also be important to you to be around certain ethnic communities when it comes to having access to certain food, traditions, religion, and language. Take a look into what each area has to offer when it comes to events and activities because once you move, this will be where you spend most of your time.

What are the Crime Rates?

To get an idea of how safe the area you’re looking to move to is, be sure to look into the crime rates. Check each neighborhood because crime rates and safety are different everywhere.

What About Transportation and Traffic?

Do you have a car, or will you rely on public transportation? If you want to live somewhere with buses, subways, and trains, make sure you take that into account. Does the area you’re interested in experience heavy traffic jams? If you don’t like spending a lot of time in your car, this might be an important question to consider. Can you get most places you need to get to by foot? Is there a nearby airport that will make traveling easier if that’s something that matters to you? All of these are questions you should be sure to ask yourself as you think about where to live.

You Got This

It can be scary to move somewhere new. No matter how much research you do, you can’t be sure of everything. Change isn’t easy, but once you’ve pondered some of these questions, it’s time to take the plunge. When you’re ready to buy a home in your dream town or city, contact us and one of our Loan Originators will guide you through the process.