How to Find a Good Neighborhood When Moving Across the Country

Before hiring long-distance movers who will move you to a new home, don’t forget to research the neighborhood you’ll live in. Start with an online check and keep in mind your finances and figure out whether you can afford to live in that specific neighborhood. Proceed with checking the crime rates. Consider the commuting time and how the area is connected with public transportation. When you know all of these things, you can start researching cross-country moving companies.

How to Find a Good Neighborhood to Live In – Start by Researching It Online

Start your online neighborhood search right after you decide it is time to move out. Check which cities are the most suitable for families or recent graduates, and find a good neighborhood for young adults.

Start your research, but don’t forget about finding reliable cross-country moving services with efficient packing services, too. That is also very important. While you’re planning a relocation to another city, think about all the benefits of relocating, which will help you keep a positive attitude during these challenging times.

You Should Also Visit the Place at Different Times

Many people will tell you that one of the biggest relocation mistakes is not hiring cross-country movers to help you. That’s completely true, but there is one more big mistake, and that is not visiting your future place before relocating. However, keep in mind this does come with some extra expenses, which those of you looking for the cheapest way to move won’t be so happy to hear.

The area you are moving to can be entirely different at night or during the weekends. If you live just close enough to frequently visit the neighborhood you’re considering, have a look around at various times to get a feel for it. Even if you’re doing a last-minute move, rearrange some of the tasks and find some time to check out the future place.

You might find out that parents regularly park their vehicles in front of your property during their kids’ sports team’s practice nearby, or you might discover that it’s difficult to enter your community during rush hour due to traffic. It’s wise to be aware of these things before relocating.

Ensure That You Can Afford It

Once you’ve decided where you’d like to reside, ensure you can actually afford it. Use the living wage calculator to get an overview of costs for things like transportation, child care, and food. If you’re, for example, moving to San Francisco, you should definitely check the cost of living in SF. You can also find out which states and cities have the lowest cost of living.

Compare your current cost of living with the one in your future city, cost of utilities, groceries, and other things, whether you’re relocating to the suburbs or a central location. If you think you’re about to bite more than you can chew, there are some things you can do to save money to move, such as selling and donating unwanted items so you can earn extra cash to cover all the long-distance moving services.

In the video below, check how to organize a perfect garage sale to get rid of all the unwanted stuff you don’t want to move with you.

If You Want to Save Some Money, Consider Finding a Roommate

It’s no secret that many young Americans nowadays find it difficult to afford a home. According to studies, more people are renting an apartment than buying, and for many of them, sharing housing costs with roommates is necessary. However, the chances of having a nightmare roommate arrangement can make anyone skeptical.

Finding a nice roommate might be difficult at times. You’ll probably have to conduct your roommate hunt online if you’re relocating to a new city and don’t know anyone there. Here are several internet websites where you can start searching for a roommate.

• Craigslist,
• Roomi,
• Facebook groups,
• PadMapper,
• Reddit,
• Alumni Networks.

Don’t Forget to Go Over the Taxes

Also, remember that state taxes might significantly reduce your income as well. Before you relocate to a different state, find out what the income tax and sales tax rates are.

Find out everything about the current tax rate and how much it has increased over the last five years. Is a further increase anticipated? What could you expect to pay in five or six years? Consider including this sum in your relocation budget.

Is It Safe? Go Over Crime Reports

Nobody wants to reside in a neighborhood with a high crime rate. Searching for local crime reports on Google is the quickest way to check whether your neighborhood is safe. Of course, this research will take some of your time, so ensure you have it as a separate task on your to-do list.

Enter the city’s name and “crime statistics by neighborhoods” into your search engine. Based on the size of the city, you will get some more or less detailed reports. For smaller towns, some general statistics and information might be available, but for the majority of bigger urban areas, you should be able to find thorough crime reports. Remember that some areas of the same place might be safer or more dangerous than others, so it can be beneficial to ask around and even check the local newspapers’ crime reports.

Once you’ve decided where you’re going to live, you might drop by the local police station to ask about any specific worries you may have. If the community is interested in reducing crime or community policing, the majority of police stations will also offer information on how active it is, as well as if there are any neighborhood watch organizations.

Research Schools in the Area if You Are Moving With Kids

Choosing a good school is important if you’re relocating with kids. Besides picking the best city to raise a family, consider another factor – education. Visit the website of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for some general information, such as student-to-teacher ratios and enrollment statistics.

You surely want nothing but the best for your little ones. So, check also what are the best cities for education. Visit the website of Greatschools.org because it offers a more thorough look at schools and includes parent and student evaluations. Additionally, the website assigns “grades” to schools depending on student performance.

Make an appointment to visit the schools or colleges you are considering after conducting your online research. Some schools will connect you with other families who can address any further inquiries you might have.

You Should Also Consider Commute Time Before the Move

No matter how much you adore your new house, it won’t matter if you can’t get somewhere without panicking and not knowing the right directions or how long it is going to take to get from point A to B. Use an online guide, such as Google Maps, to evaluate the current traffic situation during the peak hours before making a decision.

The majority of internet maps will also include a feature that displays stops and routes for public transportation. Also, a great way to avoid wasting precious time on commuting is to find one of the most bike-friendly cities. So, check the walkability of neighborhoods and do they have good bike routes.

When All Is Said and Done, You Will Move to a Neighborhood That Makes You Happy

You can effectively investigate an area using all the tips mentioned above, but only you know what matters to you the most. Do your study, keeping in mind your top priorities and preferences. Any community probably has both advantages and disadvantages, so be prepared that you might have to make some compromises. However, with a solid investigation and a reliable cross-country moving company, you should be able to move with ease and start a new chapter in your ideal neighborhood.If you want to know how to find a good neighborhood, ensure you have all the valid information to help you make the best decision.