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Committing to uprooting your life in a particular neighborhood or city to live somewhere new is a huge decision.
It's a scary move, and people often need more than enough reason to commit to this decision. If you're one of such people, you should know there are obvious signs it's time to move.
Once you spot yourself in any of these categories, it might be time to pack your bags. Whether you are moving for a career opportunity, family growth, or a better schooling option, it's always best to have everything planned out.
Let's look at ten common signs showing it's time for you to pack it all up and move.
The need for a bigger space is probably one of the most common reasons people, especially families, decide to move. According to most local moving companies in the U.S., a large percentage of their customers relocate for that extra space.
Your family could be growing, and the need for more rooms and bathrooms within the house could ease things. Or you could be a remote home worker and simply require that extra room to make it a personal workspace.
On the other hand, what if the extra space at home has become harder to maintain? With the kids gone, the house starts to echo, and all that's left is the unnecessary bills that come with a big house; it might be time to downsize.
You finally got that dream job—good for you! To do your best at the job, it might be better to come somewhere closer; it cuts the time spent commuting daily.
Even though it might not be the dream job you envision, it's a step up from your previous one. The best advice is not to let the distance ruin your shot at a better career opportunity.
"Money is not everything," says the person who has made much of it. Finances play a huge part in life and daily living, and how much of it you have can impact the decisions you make.
Maybe you lost a job, and where you are now begins to feel unaffordable based on what you have saved up. That's enough reason to find a neighborhood or even city that matches your new lifestyle. There's no shame in this.
It could be a promotion at your place of work, translating to a higher pay grade. Now you have the right figures in your bank account to fund that property in a top neighborhood or even a new city (for remote workers), go for it as long as you have it all planned out perfectly.
As a parent with kids, it's only fair to want the best education you can afford for them. If relocating can help you find a good school for them without hindering your work, you might as well go for it.
You could be a young adult looking to get into one of the best Universities in the country, and relocating to the place where you attended school is a must. These are signs It's time to move on to something better.
According to data from the American Moving and Storage Association, only a small fraction of movers relocate annually for the sake of pursuing higher education.
Freezing winters and scorching summers might not seem like much, but to some individuals, they are a good enough reason to pack it all up. It's no fun living in a place with climate conditions you hate.
If you reside in some of the colder regions in the country and are tired of paying excessive heating bills or fed up with breaking snow shovels, just move. Moreover, it could be the heat. You can no longer bear the constant need to stay hydrated or the bills raking up from using the air conditioners.
Perhaps you live in an environment prone to natural disasters: flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis maybe? These are all good reasons to move! If you can finance your relocation and sustain your stay in your newfound place, then do it.
Let's face it—being with that special someone is enough reason to move! Whether you have been together for years or the relationship just picked up, the thought of spending every day together is unbreakable.
Should you have someone waiting for you in another city, state, or even country, it's understandable to want to make the move quickly. Deep down, you have already considered it a million times, but you're unsure if it's the right thing to do.
If moving will affect your career or schooling, you might want to reconsider. However, job opportunities and education are always elsewhere—simply plan everything out.
Sometimes, you only know a perfect move once you have done it!
Are you feeling choked up in your area? If noise or air pollution is getting to you, that's when you know it's time to move on from that environment.
People often overlook their health status. For instance, you shouldn't stay in an overcrowded area with fewer trees or greenery. These natural features not only add to a place's beauty but also have an important role in improving air quality.
Moreover, if you have specific health needs for which only a specific hospital in a different city provides the care, it's best to plan your relocation.
To move or not to move, that's the question. If you have your finances and life plans in order, don't hesitate to move into a better place.
For instance, many people move out of unsafe neighborhoods, even when they aren't financially stable. If your neighborhood has become unsafe for you, these are signs you need to move out of there.
There's no good enough reason to remain in a place where you continuously get mugged or assaulted. You should look for somewhere safer, plan towards the move, and do it.
Suppose you are still skeptical about relocating and wondering how to know if you should move. Then, try watching your reactions to things happening around you.
When you catch yourself getting angry, frustrated, or complaining about little things in your neighborhood, you know it's time.
It could be your noisy or rude neighbor, unbearable city traffic, horrible weather, or the prices of basic things around being insane; if it's all bothering you, it's possibly a sign.
Plus, you might want to self-evaluate and ask yourself the right question. Instead of looking for reasons to move, ask yourself, "Why shouldn't you?" If you can't point out one good thing about where you stay, then relocating might not be such a bad idea.
When you catch yourself reliving past experiences a lot, especially the bad ones and their ties to the home or city you live in, try relocating.
Maybe you lost someone where you stay, and every single thing reminds you of the hurt while in the neighborhood; for your sanity, consider moving out.
Even the good memories can turn out to haunt you. If you find yourself stuck in all the nostalgic good moments you shared with someone or a situation every time, and it hurts to remember, it also qualifies you to leave.
Before you consider the many signs it's time to move, you should know that relocating can be a serious life-changing experience.
Have a thorough plan, budget all your moving expenses, and know the cost of living in your new neighborhood or city. Once you have these sorted out and they check out like things you can handle, set a date for your move.
An extra tip: if you're relocating long distances, it's best to prepare your mind and body for the stresses that will come with it.
Find answers — straight from the author — for the most common questions about this article.