When people are looking to move to a new city, they are often looking for a place that has a good balance of quality of life and economic opportunity. They want a city that will provide them with a strong job market, safety, good schools, affordable housing, weather, and plenty of things to do.
It’s important to find a city that offers the right mix of these amenities so that you can enjoy your time in the city and pursue your career and lifestyle goals.
Here are the top 8 things people look for in a city:
1. Affordability
This is why it’s number one on our list. You won’t be able to enjoy the city if you have to work three jobs in order to pay for a tiny apartment with several other people. It’s always difficult to move somewhere new, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult that you worry about how you will pay for electricity and food. Find out if a city is suitable for you.
These key figures are: The average cost to rent an apartment, the average price of buying a house, the median income, wages in your chosen field, and the tax you will be paying. Also, you can look at the average cost of groceries, gasoline, and other items that are unique to your spending habits.
For example, If you are thinking about joining a gym, check out the cost of memberships in your area. You should remember that affordability can mean different things to different people. When researching, you should consider your budget and spending habits.
2. The Job Market
The job market in a city is somewhat confusing and only makes sense when you consider how it will affect you. It’s important to think about it from your preferred field, but also keep an open mind.
Are there major industries or companies that provide the majority of jobs in the area? Are you able to see yourself working there? Check out websites such as Indeed And LinkedIn for job listings to get an idea of what’s available, and check out the online edition of your local newspaper.
3. How to Get Around
Everybody has their preferred mode of transport. You might not like living in a city that requires driving if you prefer to walk, bike, or use public transport. You will want to find out whether the city offers rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft, or if it’s possible to hire a cab.
If gridlocked traffic is a problem, you can check the average commute time for your city. You can also use Google Maps to find out how easy it is for you to get around with your preferred mode of transport, simply select the bus, bike, pedestrian, bicycle, or rideshare icon. You don’t have to exclude a city from your search if it’s not very walkable.
There are likely still neighborhoods that can be reached by foot. Websites like Walk Score can be used to help you identify them.
4. Weather
Do not assume that you know the weather. You might be surprised by the weather in some regions. If you are moving to Seattle for the rain, for example, it might surprise you to learn that Seattle receives only 36 inches of rain per year, which is one less than the national average.
Find out how much rain, how much snow, and how many sunny days the city receives each year. What is the average monthly low? What is the average high for each month? Is there an unusual or severe weather pattern (think tornadoes flash floods and duststorms) that the city experiences?
Make sure you understand what you are getting into.
5. Safety
Your friend used to live there and says it’s sketchy, but your aunt has been once and says it’s safe. Who do you trust? It’s not an offense to say that neither one of them is trustworthy. It takes two steps to determine the safety of a city. A website such as NeighborhoodScout can give you a general overview of crime statistics for the city.
This will allow you to see which types of crime are most prevalent in your city. Next, visit a website such as Crime Mapping to narrow down particular areas. This is useful if you have several apartment buildings or neighborhoods in mind.
You’ll be able to see a map that updates regularly with specific crimes reported near you. Are there a lot of disturbances in the area of an apartment building? This could lead to drunken rowdiness at weekends.
This is great news if your plan is to go out on the town, but bad news for those who need eight hours of sleep per night. Are you seeing a lot of motor vehicle thefts?
6. The Local Opinion
A Wikipedia page or chamber of commerce website is not the best source of information to help you decide if a city is right. It’s from those who live there. Talk to your Uber driver, bartender, Airbnb host, and anyone else you meet if you are able to visit the city beforehand.
Ask them about their favorite things about the city, and what they dislike. Ask them which neighborhoods they recommend, and which ones you should avoid. What would their ideal weekend look like? You can search the Internet to find a place you’d like to visit.
A Reddit Thread, a City-Data Forum, or even a Facebook community group for the city, is where you can get help from locals.
7. Schools
A great school system is essential if you have or are thinking of having children. Look at the schools within the areas that you are most interested in.
Compare charter schools, private schools, and specialty schools. Keep your eyes open for opportunities in higher education in the area. Your children (or yourself) might want to take advantage of the in-state tuition rate.
8. Fun Stuff
It’s unlikely that you are moving to a new place just to work, pay your bills, and get some sleep. Unfortunately, the magical community where everyone has a job and everyone uses cupcakes for currency is not possible.
You’ll need to be responsible regardless of where you live. If you pick the right city, you can have fun with local traditions, bars, restaurants, parks, and outdoor activities. You should look for a city with a lot of things to do, such as an arts scene, hiking trails nearby, or a wide range of museums.
A city that shares your interests can lead to new friends and make you feel like a local before you know it.
Final Thoughts
A real estate agent can be an invaluable asset when it comes to finding the right home in the right city. They will have the knowledge and experience to help you identify the ideal location for you and your family. They can provide you with insights into local amenities, schools, and other important factors in choosing the right home.
Additionally, they can help you locate properties that fit your budget and your lifestyle. They will help you through the entire process, from searching for the perfect home to negotiating a favorable deal.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, a real estate agent can help you find the right home in the right city.