Moving long distance is a real plunge! You’re uprooting yourself, and maybe even your family, and taking everyone and everything across to the other side of the country. It’s a difficult decision to make, whether you’re excited for the change or not!
And that’s why you need to put some proper research hours in. When you’re moving to a completely new area, you need to have some idea of what you’re getting into. From the cost to the neighborhood to what schools are around, you’ve got to find out as much as you can right now!
As such, here are three tips for researching whatever long distance location you’ve chosen to move to.
Take a Mini Break There
If you’ve got a location in your heart that you’re sure you’d love to move to, why not take a couple of days off and visit it? Live a little of the tourist life before you move in. This will give you the chance to scope out the area in full, on your own terms and in your own way.
It’s also just nice to get away from things for a little while, especially if you’re in the middle of house hunting and packing chaos! Think of it like this: a mini break to the area you’re sure you’d like to call home will help you to both take a break and get some proper research done.
Work with a Realtor in the Area
Want to know where the best high school is for your teenaged children? Want to know where the best neighborhoods for families are? Want to know where the most accessible on-street parking is? Talk to a realtor that lives and works in the area.
Let them know you’re coming in from a very long way away and get their expert lowdown. Not only will they have some pretty great local knowledge for you, but they can also help you to find just the right home for your needs.
Of course, you can also head online to check out local groups, where you can send out a few posts asking for advice on the area’s highlights. But if you want some in depth detail, it’s usually best to have a locally-focused realtor on the other end of the email.
Check Local Records
Speaking of heading online, you should also check out local property listings, housing records, and things like job availability and crime rates. You should be able to find up to date local records via government or local police websites.
And try to make sure you find the genuine research and numbers here, posted by local authorities themselves. Try to avoid personal bias from commenters and online hearsay on forums. Focus on the actual data and use that to help you find the best area for your needs.
Want to move cross country, but not sure where to go? Make sure you use the tips above to find out what you need to know.
