find yourself planted in this strange area where no one knows you or your family. While it can be overwhelming, there are some simple ways that you can ease into the process to make it as successful as possible for you.
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Do Your Research
If your boss tells you that you are moving cross-country because you’ve been relocated, you should do your part and learn about the area. Don’t just take your company’s word for it that it’s a good area. Do your own research. Look up statistics on crime and education. See what you can find regarding the best areas to live in the town your company will move you too.
The more you know about the area you might move, the better off you’ll be. You will be more informed when you actually go shop for a home and you won’t’ feel as overwhelmed as you try to navigate your way through the town.
Talk to people that you know in the area or people that have been there. Firsthand information is always a good idea to help you get through the process.
Hire a Realtor
Hiring a realtor that is local to the area can get you acclimated to the area the fastest. The right realtor will know the area well and will be able to give you advice.
For example, are you moving to the area with kids? You’ll probably care about the schools, parks, and recreational activities in the area. If you are moving alone or with your spouse, you may want something like a quaint condo where the two of you can take your time getting used to the area before buying a single-family home.
Your realtor will know which areas will suit you the best and which you can easily afford. Without a realtor, you’ll have to rely on the information that you find online and hope that it’s true. You’ll spend a lot more time doing your own legwork when you could have a professional doing the work for you.
Understand the Area’s Schools and Taxes
The two things you’ll care about the most and this goes if you have kids right now or not, are the schools and the taxes. The two often go hand-in-hand. Great school districts tend to have higher tax rates, but you may want those great schools for your current children or children you plan to have. Even if you won’t’ have children, the resale value of homes in good school districts is often much higher than those not in good districts.
You can do as much research as possible online regarding the schools on sites like GreatSchools.org, but you should also get a firsthand look at the schools. Do they have a classroom size your children can handle? Do they offer programs that your children need/want? Do you get a good feeling from the staff when you tour the school?
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These are a few of the questions you should ask yourself to determine if you are making the right choice. Again, your real estate agent can also help you with some of this research.
Research the Culture and the Weather
Moving cross-country can be quite a culture shock. You may not even think about the fact that they do things differently than what you are used to. Again, use the internet to your advantage and see what the normal traditions are in the area.
You also want to look at the weather. Are you coming from an area that’s predominately hot and moving to an area like Chicago that has two seasons – summer and winter (or at least that’s what it feels like)? You’ll want to best prepare yourself and your kids for a change like this. You’ll also need to properly prepare your wardrobe to be comfortable in the new climate.
Everything about moving to a new state can be overwhelming and brand new. You need to take the time to do your research and know what you are getting yourself into. If you aren’t quite sure about what to expect or you aren’t quite ready to plant roots yet – you can always rent for the first year or so until you get a handle on where you want to be, then you can buy your dream home and start your life in the new state that you call home.
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