Are you considering a move to another state? You aren’t the only one. Did you know that over 3 million people move to a new state each year? That’s a lot of people making this big life change.

Whether you have a great job opportunity, you want to be closer to family or you are simply ready for something new, moving to a new state can be a very exciting life change! To make this transition go more smoothly, when moving to a new state, there are a few things you’ll want to take into account. Here are seven of the most important ones:

7 Things to Consider When Moving to a New State

Before you make the final decision on moving to a new state, you will want to consider the following factors about your new home base. You may find that one or more of these factors could be a make or break when it comes to your decision.

Climate

One of the most important factors to consider when moving is the climate. If you’re moving to a state with a different climate than you’re used to, make sure you’re prepared for the change. For example, if you’re moving from a cold climate to a warm one, be prepared for the heat and humidity. 

Cost of Living

If you have only lived in one area, you may be surprised to find that the cost of living from state to state can vary significantly.  The cost of living can also vary depending on what part of the state you are considering moving to. The cost of living will depend on the proximity to large cities, home values, income levels and more.

Housing

The type of housing options available also varies from state to state. The same can be said for the cost of housing. Some states are known for having high property values while others are more affordable. In other areas you’ll find a variety of different housing styles that range from simple mobile homes to million dollar estates. In some states, it’s common for homes to have acreage where in other places there may be smaller city lots.

Job Opportunities

Not only do individual states offer varying job opportunities, but depending on your field you might also experience a difference in employment opportunities from state to state or even within a single area code. This can have both a positive and negative impact. While you might be moving to a state with less opportunity in your desired field, there’s also the chance that moving to a new area could give you access to more job options.

Lifestyle Differences

States have different laws, cultures and social norms. What’s considered polite conversation in one state may be taboo in another. Before moving, it’s important to research these types of differences so that you don’t unintentionally offend someone or find yourself

Taxes

This kind of falls in line with cost of living, but you will find that taxes vary significantly from state to state. Some states have a sales tax, while others have an income tax. Some cities will have added taxes as well.

There are also lower tax rates in some states, which may make a difference in your decision!

If you are a business owner, be sure to look into the tax credits that may be offered to business owners in the state.

Quality of Life

A simple Google search can give you a lot of information as it relates to the quality of life in the state that you are considering moving to.  Are people happy living there? Will you find all of the resources you may need? What is healthcare like in the state in which you are moving to? These are some of the questions that will help you determine what the quality of life will be like in the new state.

A couple of big things to find out while making the decision to move out of state are whether you will have the right resources available to you as well as the transportation options available in your soon to be home base.

Neighborhood Resources

It is important to move into a place where it’s easy to access things like grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants etc. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that you know where the closest healthcare facility is, whether or not there are activities that you enjoy nearby, etc.

Transportation

Transportation is a huge factor to look into before moving to a new state. Is there easy access to public transportation? How are the roads for commuting, etc.

Education Systems

If you have kids, one of the biggest factors to consider when moving to a new state is the school systems. How are the public schools rated in the area that you are planning to move to? How close to the school will you be?