Being spontaneous is good sometimes. Everyone needs a break from their daily routine and get that little bit of element of surprise that comes with spontaneity. Yet, when it comes to relocating you really might not want to be surprised because not everything is pleasantly surprising. Whether you’re relocating because of work, or for other reasons, and whether relocating from state to state or to a whole new country, it’s quite a big change and one that you should be prepared for.
If it’s an up and go decision, you might easily encounter situations and conditions that you simply didn’t expect and this can lead you to regret moving. There’s no need for regret because there are things to consider beforehand and if you know them, it will make the relocation go as smooth as possible.
We’ve compiled 4 of the most important factors to take into consideration before you move. Read on to know what they are.
- Your finances: It’s often advised to have 6 months of savings ready at hand when you move to a new place. It’s old advice, but works well. Even if you’re relocating and expecting a salary, you might find yourself short of money before your salary comes in. If you’re not working, say you’re a student, this is especially important. Being in a new place, while it’s exciting, can also be very unpredictable and you need to make sure you have enough money for emergencies, unexpected expenses and so forth. See how far your own money or currency will go. Estimate what your needs will be, and learn to keep track of where your money is going.
- Your personal belongings: Most people would like to pack everything they’ve ever owned when moving. There’s nothing to say that you can’t do that, but that will probably just bog you down, and you can wind up taking a bunch of things that you really won’t need. As long as you’re packing and moving, then this is the time you will be checking those overfull drawers, cupboards, and closets and find things that maybe you haven’t seen or used in years, but for items that you can’t go without such as your car, you might want to look into something such as interstate car shipping. It’s nearly a sure bet, if you haven’t used or worn something in years, you probably won’t start now. So lessen your belongings and either sell or donate some things away. By the same token, you might find things that will definitely help you in your new place of stay, so those would be your must-take items.
- Relocation area: The last thing you want is to arrive and start searching for a place to stay. Even for short travels, it’s important to know where you’re going to stay, so imagine how important it is for a long stay. You want to make sure you’ll be living in a safe neighborhood. If you’re moving with your family, there are many other things to take into consideration such as, nearby schools, hospitals, as well as areas for amusement during free time. Alongside of a neighborhood, you need to feel comfortable in the house or apartment you’ll be in. Write down a checklist of what you’re expecting in a new flat. What sort of amenities should it have? Near or away from downtown? Does the exterior and interior suit you? Are you allowed to have pets? Does it have Wifi? These are the sorts of questions to ask when you’re choosing a place to stay. If you’re having difficulty in finding an apartment or house to your liking and needs, you can find one here where you can view homes of all types from across the world, depending on where you’re relocating to.
- Join an expat forum: If you can visit a place before living in it, then do so. If that’s not possible, then the next best thing you can do is join a forum of expats of your future location. They’ll give you the nitty-gritties about your new location. In forums, you will find enough people who have questions like yours with lots of answers provided. You can also be advised on a variety of other factors to consider for relocation.
Pre-planning
It can’t be emphasized enough that you need to pre plan for a move. There is no reason to step off an airplane or train, or get out of a car into a brand new geographical area, and then decide what you’re going to do. If you’ve only been given short notice before moving, then you’ll have to prioritize. You can consider this a shortlist of the most important things to consider.
