UPDATED 1/18/21
The U.S. is a huge country, with a housing market that continues to boom and people moving states every which way. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Moving somewhere new gives people the opportunity to explore different locations, continue to buy houses somewhere else, and expand their career options. This is especially true of the younger generation known as millennials. In fact, millennials make up about 35% of the homebuyer market, showing just how moving somewhere new can be a great way for younger generations to explore their country, their values, and where they truly fit in to raise a family. However, this is true even if you’re older and are simply moving somewhere new to start fresh.
Where Should I Move to?
There are plenty of reasons for moving somewhere new, including family, career changes, wanting to get away from a city, or the opposite. However, wherever you decide to relocate, you can be sure there are cities and states that align with your values and that might just be the perfect place to call home. Everyone’s desires and needs are different. For instance, if you’re studying film and television, you might want to move closer to a city that focuses on production. But, don’t be fooled by the media. Did you know that most movies are actually edited and produced in Burbank, California, not Hollywood? A little bit of research goes a long way in helping you find the perfect place when moving somewhere new. In addition, consider what activities you’ll want to partake in when at home. Are you a big gambler and want to have fun in a casino? Or are you an avid outdoorsman and want to live near state parks? How about near the beach, or inland in the desert and away from everyone? Consider these questions before moving somewhere new.
Must-Haves for Any Home
Wherever you move to, it’s important to keep in mind not just the surrounding city, culture, and activities, but your home itself. Any home needs certain features, such as proper insulation, a sturdy roof and foundation, great looking windows and doors, and everything in between. However, when you move to a new city, you might tend to overlook certain commodities. For instance, you might be moving to a new city full of snow, and are considering buying a home without properly working heat. This is a no-go, but you might not even know it! Here, we’ll help you consider the types of homes to buy, types of features they should need, and what to expect all when moving to a new city in the U.S. Be open to the opportunities around you, and don’t be afraid to start fresh somewhere new!
1. For Outdoor People
If you love to spend your time kayaking, hiking, or simply outdoors, several states in the U.S. offer a variety of activities for you and your family to do. Some of the top places to live if you love outdoor activities and sports are Utah, with its many national parks, Washington state, and Colorado. In fact, Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the nation! Take part in doing what you love, and ensure you buy a home that has ample space for your recreational gear when moving somewhere new. A spacious garage, basement, or even a den or outside storage area are all good options.
2. For the Gamblers
If you love gambling, a city with great nightlife, and playing professional cards, look no further than Las Vegas, Nevada! The entertainment capital of the world is the best place to find casinos that never sleep, ample nightlife, and loads of entertainment all within walking distance of each other. In Nevada, be prepared for some serious heat, but don’t let that discourage you from living somewhere you can play and have fun. If the heat isn’t for you, Atlantic City, New Jersey is a great second bet. Start looking at houses for sale in either, as both have booming housing markets.
3. For the Quiet Suburbs
If you aren’t interested in gambling, and simply want to get away and live in the peaceful suburbs, there’s plenty of options for you within the United States. Some of the best places to live to enjoy the suburbs, according to Business Insider, are Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania, Holly Hills, Colorado, and Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania. If you live in the suburbs, keep in mind you might need to contact residential fencing services to keep your home safe from intruders, and also give you the privacy you crave.
4. For the Bustling City People
The United States has some of the largest populations of cities anywhere in the world, and every city has its benefits and drawbacks. For starters, cities usually have tons of options for commuting, gathering, eating, and everything in between. Large cities usually have more of these options, and can be a great place when moving somewhere new if you don’t mind the crowds. The largest cities in the U.S. are New York, New York, Los Angeles, CA, and Chicago, Illinois. All offer great culture and ambiance. However, keep in mind you might have to downsize into a nice apartment if you’re just starting off your career.
5. For the Artists
If you’re working as an artist and are looking for a city to both enjoy and work in art, you might think big cities are your best bet. On the contrary, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Edwards, Colorado have affordable costs of living as well as bustling art scenes. In New Mexico, there are over 250 art galleries to choose from, and housing prices are far lower than in big cities, ranging in the $300,000 range. If you decide to visit New Mexico, keep in mind there are strict housing requirements to maintain the natural beauty of the desert. Home exterior professionals can help you renovate and maintain your home up to stands for desert housing authorities.
6. For the Beach-Goers
The beach is one of the best places to consider when moving somewhere new. If you want to be surrounded by beaches, consider moving to Hawaii, Florida, or sunny California! Some lesser-known beach towns to consider when moving somewhere new are Carlsbad, California, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and even in Westport, Connecticut. If you have a home that you would like to purchase near the beach, keep in mind you must prepare for windy conditions. Residential roofers can help in reinforcing your roof to prepare for these winds.
7. For the Best Education
If you have children, chances are you’ll want to move neighborhoods or even states just to ensure that they have the best education. California has a University of California and Cal State school system that ensures in-state residents get the lowest tuition rates. These schools are also among the best colleges in the country. The only contingency is that students must be residents of California for a number of years. This is enough to get any parent to re-root and move! If you have a child that plays sports, getting back to school physicals and letting them try-out for other colleges and sports teams can be a great way to get them into college on a scholarship as well. Scholarships for sports aren’t located just in California, but in every state as well. If you’re looking for places with the best public schools in the United States, Niche ranks Naperville, Illinois, Bellevue, Washington, and Ann Arbor, Michigan as having the best public schools in the country.
8. Eco-Friendly Folks
Being vegan, using re-usable bags, and super cute re-usable straws are just some of the ways Americans nowadays are making being environmentally friendly trendy and cool. However, being environmentally friendly has more to do with life than just as a trend to some people. Moving somewhere new to buy a home that is powered through a solar energy company and not the usual heating systems, or moving to a city that uses sustainable energy wherever they can become a life’s mission. Some of the best places to live in the U.S. that are most environmentally friendly, according to their air-quality index, are San Francisco, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Bangor, Maine. Wherever you choose to move, look at their initiatives that they have taken to make their city green. You won’t be sorry.
9. For those Considering their Faith
Sometimes moving somewhere new can be difficult, and if you’re planning on moving to a city that values their faith, plenty of options in the United States abound. For instance, if you’re looking for a city that values Catholic faith and Catholic education, look no further than Boston, Massachusetts, New York City, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All of these cities have a big Catholic following, according to VOA News. Cities and religious populations vary, so it’s important to do some research on local churches, schools, and support systems that are available in your new city.
10. For those that Love the Sunshine
You might think that cities in California, such as Los Angeles, have the most sunshine in the U.S. year-round. On the contrary, the city with the most sunshine is Yuma, Arizona, averaging 90% of days of sunshine per year! Phoenix and Tuscon, Arizona, as well as El Paso, Texas also rank within the top 10 cities with the most sunshine per year. If moving somewhere new needs to have tons of sunshine, consider these cities as your new home. For your new home, consider getting the help of HVAC contractors to ensure your air-conditioning is up and running to ensure your home stays cool during those hot, sunshine-filled days.
11. Booming Housing Market
Moving somewhere new doesn’t just have to be for starting somewhere new with your family, but also for business ventures in realty. If you’re thinking about buying rental homes to rent and make a profit, some of the best housing markets according to USA Today are Colorado Springs, Colorado, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and Rochester, New York just to name a few. Consider talking to a realtor, business entrepreneur, and anyone else that has experience in the realty market to help you in your home-buying endeavors.
12. For the Farmers
If you’re thinking about moving somewhere new in order to own your own land and grow your own farm, your best bet will be Iowa and the mid-western United States. Its neighbor, Minnesota, is also a great place to buy land, and is known as the corn-capital of the world for a reason! If you don’t want to move to the midwest, Texas has one of the best housing and land markets anywhere in the United States, and is home to the rancher. Keep in mind, Texas is prone to hurricanes, so getting hurricane screens and fortified roofing can be an immense help.
13. Job-Market
If you’re thinking of moving somewhere new to find a new career or job, Austin, Texas has been ranked for the second year in a row by the Wall-Street Journal as being the city with the best job market in the United States. Other cities include Seattle, Washington, Nashville, Tennessee, and Denver, Colorado. Consider these cities, and make sure to conduct a job search before moving into your new city to ensure you have enough income to start fresh!
14. Cost-of-Living
Texas has come up a lot in this list, and for good reason. Among Business Insiders’ top 25 cities that have the lowest cost-of-living, cities in Texas came up a staggering 9 times! The city with the lowest cost-of-living in the United States is currently Wichita Falls, Texas. The amount of cities that have low COL is great news for those that are moving somewhere new with a low income and who want a better quality of life.
15. Low Crime
Crime is an important factor to consider when moving somewhere new. Luckily, there’s plenty of options throughout the United States that have low-crime rates, such as Broadview Heights, Ohio, Ridgefield, Connecticut, and even in New Castle Town, New York. You don’t necessarily have to move to the safest city in the U.S., however, to enjoy a safe community. Websites such as Area Vibes, Crime Report, and Neighborhood Scout can help you determine what the crime rates in your new city are.
Moving can be stressful. There are so many different things to consider and they can all make the difference between a smooth move and a disaster. Whether or not to hire movers is a decision you’ll have to make. While movers can be expensive, it can often be well worth the cost. All moving services are different, so you’ll have to research different companies to see what fits your needs and your budget best. Commercial moving companies essentially offer only transit while all inclusive moving and storage companies offer many more services. You might need those services or you might only need someone to move your belongings from one place to another.
If you want to find the best home movers for your situation, you’ll need to do some research. Talk to people you trust for recommendations and look up the best full service movers on the internet. If you go in prepared, you can choose the right home movers for your move. With this decision out of the way, you can move on to other things you need to focus on for your move.
