Things to Keep in Mind When Relocating

Planning a move can be stressful, especially when you are relocating to a new area. If you aren’t familiar with your new town or city, you may not know what to look for. Understanding where to start and what to look for can help ensure you have a seamless move. If you are considering relocating, make sure to keep these things in mind.

Find a Trusted Realtor

Before you do anything else, find a trusted realtor who knows the area well and can answer all of your questions. They will be able to advise you on areas to look into, good school districts, local attractions, commutes, and home prices. Their wealth of knowledge about the area and contact list of other local vendors will be your biggest asset to feeling confident in your relocation. All of the other items on this list can be assisted by your realtor.

Research Cost of Living

Look into the cost of living in the area you wish to relocate to. Home prices and other monetary aspects can vary greatly between cities, so it’s important to look up everything well in advance. Start by looking into recently listed and sold properties that are similar in size and location to the homes you are looking for. See how long they sit on the market and what they are going for. Look into local property taxes and how that impact your budget. If you have any questions about costs, schedule a chat with your realtor to learn more.

Understand Your Commute

Will you be commuting to the office? Make sure the homes you are looking at have a reasonable commute. Test out driving or taking public transportation to your job, the local grocery store, and other key areas like schools. Is there a time of day when traffic is heavy and may add time to your commute? Is the commute longer than expected? These are all things that are good to know before you buy.

Plan Your Move Ahead of Time

There is nothing worse than rushing to pack and find a mover. Once you have decided to relocate, start getting quotes from reputable moving companies well in advance. Especially if you are moving in the spring or summer, moving companies get booked quickly, and you need to plan ahead. Depending on the weather where you are moving to, start by packing away your out-of-season clothing that you will not need access to. Next, pack away knick-knacks and decorations. Whatever can be packed away ahead of time should be done so to ensure you are not scrambling last minute.

Visit Your New Town or City

If you are able to, take a weekend to visit the new place you plan to make a home. Stop by your target neighborhoods and see what they are like during the day. Are they noisy or quiet? How much traffic comes through the area? Walk around the area and check out any local shops and businesses. Be open to chatting with locals to get a better idea of the area and their recommendations for neighborhoods. Let your realtor know that you will be in the area so that you can connect, and they can show you around as well!

Relocating to a new place can be exciting, especially if you have the right help to feel comfortable with the move! By planning in advance and reaching out to a realtor and movers with plenty of time to spare, you can rest assured that you will be taken care of. If you are ready to relocate to the Chicago area, give me a call so I can help you get settled!