By: Lance Cody-Valdez
If you’re tired of the daily grind and you’re ready for a change in your life, then it might be worth considering a move to a new state. A change in locale could mean lower costs of living, better work opportunities, friendlier locals, and a totally new perspective. This guide presented by Socialite Spaces can help you prepare for your big move.
Finding Work
The sensible first step before committing to a move to a new state is to secure work. Take some time to research the region’s economic prospects and remember to take into consideration all the hidden variables such as traffic, infrastructure and work culture. With video interviews, it’s possible to apply and secure a position without even setting foot in your new locale but this can also carry some risks so be certain to carry out a thorough background check on your prospective employer, reading Glassdoor reviews and exploring their online presence.
Cost of Living
When you’re moving from a large city to a smaller suburb, the prices of groceries, home services, rent/mortgage, education and leisure are usually expected to drop but you should also factor in the state’s overall cost of living.
Culture
With so many different cultures and ways of life across the country, a move from one state to another is bound to involve some adjustments. This is especially true if you’re coming from a large city and moving to a small town or village. Take some time to read about the different etiquettes, attitudes and beliefs in an area before you arrive – you may need to adjust some of your behavior and expectations to avoid offense and integrate more seamlessly.
Entrepreneurs
If you own a business or you’re thinking of starting a new one, it’s important to bear in mind regional differences. Some states have different regulations around forming companies or obtaining permits, for example. Regardless of where you’re coming from or going to, it’s important to have in place a business plan. This should describe your company, detail your services (and how you intend to sell them), delineate a business structure and include any financial requirements/projections.
Transport
With remote working, transportation options may not factor in as highly but you should still look closely into your chosen destination’s gas prices, traffic statistics, airport accessibility and general public transport. If you have loved ones in your current location, you may want to be able to get out to them quickly and easily, some states are easier (and cheaper) to get to than others.
Leisure
It might not be high on your list but entertainment and leisure are likely to factor into your contentment if you’re moving to a new state. If you’ve grown up in more outdoorsy areas, you may crave forests, mountains and lakes. If you’ve grown up in a city, you may find a slower pace of life bores quickly. To avoid dissatisfaction, it’s worth researching the entertainment options and trying to envisage how you might spend a weekend in your new settings.
Doctors
Of course, moving to a new area means you’ll have to find a lot of new services and professionals — including a new doctor. Depending on where you live, you may not have many options, and getting an appointment as a new patient can sometimes feel impossible. Thankfully, the internet has introduced many people to telehealth, which allows you to connect with doctors using your computer or phone. Through these services, you can make sure your doctor is online and schedule an appointment, often for the same day. If you have an urgent problem, you can see a doctor online within around 15 minutes.
If you’re thinking of moving to a new state, consider the above as just a few key factors. If you want to ensure a smooth transition, it pays to be organized and to carry out plenty of research ahead of time.
Image by Pexels
