Chris Gmyr

With the economy still on shaky grounds, and unemployment still at record levels, more and more people are considering relocating for better work options and a lower cost of living. If you’ve been thinking about making a big move, either to or away from Syracuse, you realize the preparation and work stretching out before you. Don’t go it alone—this guide will walk you through the process.

Before you move, be prepared to do days of research. Unless you are moving for work, and you know exactly where you will be heading to, you’re first job is to find your new home. There are more than 35,000 towns and cities in the US; you have to narrow that down to one.

Is there an area you’ve always felt drawn to? Maybe the South, where life moves at a slower pace, or in the West, by the Ocean? Maybe you’ve always wanted to live in a small New England town, miles away from anything. Start your search there.

If you don’t have a preference, look for towns with a booming economy, low unemployment, below average housing costs, beautiful weather, great schools, or whatever is most important to you and your family.  Make a list of what’s most important to you, and what is least important, and start your search there.

Once you have found the perfect town, look for employment options. If you can transfer within your current company, that might take a lot of the uncertainty out of the move. If not, look for opportunities in your current field. Search for companies, and then check their websites for employment opportunities. You can also usually access the local newspaper online, to check the help wanted ads. If you cannot find a job in the area you plan on moving to before you arrive, save up enough to cover a few months of expenses, in case you aren’t able to find a position right away.

Look at the cost of living next. There are a lot of cost of living estimators available online, and almost all list Syracuse in their comparison records. If you live outside of Syracuse, you might have to estimate. Cost of living tools can tell you the approximate difference between average expenses where you currently live and where you hope to be relocating to.

An important factor to consider when considering the cost of living is to look at housing costs. Look at the cost of apartments in the area, as well as the average cost of a home. Compare these prices to your current location.  For example, a nice 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3000+ square feet home in Syracuse might sell for around $275,000. In Owensboro, KY, you might find a similar property for $165,000.  In Atlanta, that price might jump to $350,000 or more.

What community features are you looking for? Fantastic schools, a wild nightlife, or political associations? Maybe you want to several parks, an easy trip to fishing holes or a golf course, or mall within a few miles. If the town is mostly perfect, but there’s not much there for you to do, you won’t enjoy it. Find a community where you will fit in and have a good time.

Before you move, visit the new town. A place can sound great on paper, and then be a complete disappointment in real life. Your visit is also a good time to look for a job, or to go to a few interviews. You should also look for an apartment while you are there.

Why am I suggesting an apartment and not a home? This is a real estate blog, right?

Here’s why. Even if you visit the town and spend weeks or months researching the move, there are no guarantees. If you lose your new job (or can’t find one to begin with), if you can’t stand the locals, or if you are otherwise unhappy with your new home, it is easier to move out of an apartment than it is to sell a house. If you love the new town, living there for a few months will give you the chance to look for a home while living right there in the area.

If you will be selling your home before the move, start the process as soon as you know you’ll be moving. There’s nothing worse than waiting for a home to sell before you can get on with your planned move. The sooner you start, the sooner you can move into your new community.