Moving locations can be a good way to have a fresh start or chase your career ambitions. If you’re feeling stagnant or you’ve got an exciting new job opportunity somewhere else in the country, exploring new places to live can be a very fun process. But it is also a significant decision and one that shouldn’t be made on a whim. If you’re thinking about moving to a different town, city or region, what things should you do and consider to ensure that you make the right decision?

Spend some time there

First of all, you should spend some time in what may become your new hometown. A weekend break or even just a daytrip will give you a sense of the local area. Furthermore, you should be able to get a feeling if it’s a place you can see yourself living in or not. Have a walk around and try some of the local hotspots such as cafes, restaurants or pubs. If you enjoy a temporary trip somewhere, you are more likely to enjoy living there too.

Explore housing options

If you’ve found somewhere you think you would be happy living, the next step is to explore some housing options in the surrounding areas. You might want to look at apartments, house rentals or even consider buying one of the local new builds. You’ll want to find a home that you will appreciate and enjoy spending time in, otherwise it could tarnish your feelings about the area you are moving to.

Check your commute

An important consideration should be your local commute to work or any other commitments. Moving to a small village with poor transportation links to your workplace would be a silly move, for example. Ensure that you will be able to make it comfortably to work on time and without leaving too early. If you work from home, then ensure you find a property with a suitable office or workspace.

Consider local amenities

Aside from work commitments and your accommodation arrangement, local amenities are important to support your lifestyle and provide you with goods and resources. If you have kids, you’ll need to consider local school and catchment areas. Ask yourself questions like where will you do the weekly shop and what sort of leisure activities are there in the local vicinity? Ideally you’ll have everything you could possibly need within a few miles.

Moving to a new place can be daunting but it can also be a positive step for you and your loved ones. Where would you consider moving to?