6 Survival Questions When Considering Relocating

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We all get itchy feet sometimes. We all wonder sometimes whether we are where we are supposed to be, doing what we are supposed to be doing. It can be, at times, an unnerving thought process. However it can also be an inspiring moment in your life that can lead to great and brave decisions.

If you are considering making big changes in your life and moving to a new city, or even a new country, to start afresh, then kudos to you. Anyone that has been in your position would no doubt pat you on the back and wish you all the best. Not, however, without first giving you some pearls of wisdom to send you on your way. So here are our top six things that anyone considering moving to a new place, must consider before biting the bullet and heading off into the exciting unknown.

Your Bank Balance

One of the most crucial places to start, when thinking of upping sticks and moving to somewhere new is to consider ‘can I really afford it?’ This sounds rather like common sense doesn’t it. But there is a lot to be taken into consideration when thinking about setting yourself up in a completely new city. It is all very well factoring in moving costs, deposits for a new flat and a few months of no income whilst you look for a new job. However there will inevitably be last minute expenses and unexpected costs that will crop up throughout this process, which means that your budget may not be quite as healthy as you think.

Therefore the more you think ahead financially and the more you plan for every eventually the smoother your transition into your new life will be. The general rule of thumb is that whatever you have budgeted for your move, then double it. If this is a figure that you are able to afford, then it looks like you are in fine shape to move forwards.

Contacts, Acquaintances & Friends

Sometimes complete anonymity and a fresh start is what is most appealing to moving to a new place. However moving somewhere where you don’t know anyone can be tough on people for many different reasons. So think about the place that you’re moving to and the contacts, acquaintances and any existing friends that you have already living there. Having people around you in your new city will not only offer comfort and support, but we all know that in many situations regarding finding new work, ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’. Of course everyone and every situation is different, but choosing a place where you already know a couple of people is generally preferable to starting from scratch in your new life.

The Cost of Living

The cost of living varies greatly from city to city, from country to country. So you are certainly going to need to put some research into the cost of living in your new city. There are many ways to do this. A good place to start is by looking at the hdb rental price of the kind of flats you would be interested in and research the type of property your budget will be able to accommodate. From there, look into the details of local prices from the cost of grocery shopping, to public transportation to local taxes. The more detailed your research, before you arrive, the better idea of what lifestyle you can expect when there according to your budget and also the stronger your negotiating power when negotiating on salaries for your new job.

Neighbourhoods

This is a really important part of filling in the details about your move. You will not just need to research the city but also the individual and surrounding neighbourhoods in order to understand the types of areas that best suit you and your budget. Luckily nowadays we have the world at our fingertips so it has never been easier to research cities, from a distance, in order to plan where to live in advance. Look into the types of neighbourhoods that you’d be interested in moving into and then hone your search down. If you don’t know anyone living in that city then contact a property firm over there who will be able to help answer your questions and will maybe even be able to help you find your first flat in your new city.

The Job Market

This is up there as one of the most important things that need to be established before any decisions are made. So you will need to look into the job market in the place that you are heading to. Is it a healthy and expanding job market? Do the wages match the cost of living in the city? Are there lots of opportunities for your line of work? Work cultures can differ from one place to another, so make sure that you know what type of culture you are heading into to make sure that it is one that will suit you and your individual objectives.

Timing is Everything

The last piece of advice is to really think about the timing of this move. Sometimes the timing of a move just might not be right. It is not that the new city is not right for you, maybe just that the timing of perhaps a new job, young family or increasing opportunities in your existing area may just mean that it might not be wise to up sticks at this precise moment and waiting for a better time in the future maybe be a better idea.

However if you are confident that the timing is great then you will simply need to plan a few basic logistics before heading off. Contacting your utility suppliers, organising removal companies, ending employment contracts and planning ahead for when you arrive in your new city is all crucial. All the little details in good forward planning will all go a long way in ensuring your transition into your new life will be as seamless and stress free as possible.