Relocating? Here’s a guide for moving somewhere new
A new town or city can offer a fresh perspective and an exciting new start. But there’s a lot to consider when you’re relocating, so it’s normal to feel apprehensive about all that needs to happen. Whether you’re relocating for a new job, for family, or a new adventure, use this guide to plan your relocation with confidence.
How to relocate to a new city
Use this relocation checklist to plan, schedule, and execute your move with confidence.
1. Do your research
First things first: start with some sleuthing. Do your background research to get a sense of where you’re moving, and what you can expect.
- What’s the local climate really like? Check out the weather to get a sense of what you can expect in each season, and consider how this will affect your life. You might be moving from Calgary to Vancouver for warmer weather, but are you prepared for a dark rainy winter? If so, it might be time to invest in a new raincoat.
- Get familiar with the area you’re moving to. What are the local school districts, restaurants, bars, and businesses? Where is the nearest hospital, doctor, and bank?
- What is local traffic like? If you’re downtown in a big city, it can take a long time to drive from A to B. Make sure that you’re buying or renting in an area that lets you get to work on time.
- Get to know the local housing markets. Explore listings in the areas you’re considering and compare neighbourhoods.
2. Get to know the area
Spend some time in your new hometown in person if possible. Walk around potential neighbourhoods to see how they feel. Talk to locals and people you know who live there. Ask them about their favourite and least favourite things about the city where they live. Personal anecdotes will often give you more information than a Google search will.
3. Hire the right team
Choose the right team for a seamless move and you’ll save yourself both time and money.
- Choose a real estate agent who has experience with local markets and can fully brief you on housing prices, availability, school districts, and what neighbourhoods might be right for you.
- Hire a moving team with great online reviews, or ask friends for recommendations. Each mover has their specialty, so you might want to hire specialists for fragile items like fine art, or heavier objects like a piano. If you’re moving yourself, ask to add items like rolling carts, bungee cords, and padding if they’re not already included.
4. Plan ahead to save money and time
Give yourself as much time as possible to pack, stage, and list your home. Plan for surprise costs, delays, and practicalities.
- How will you get around in your new hometown? Consider the local transit system, trains, airports, busses, and bike lanes so you can plan for traffic, buy a subway pass, or choose a home in an area that lets you get to work easily.
- How much will it cost to relocate? Build out every part of your move and involve your financial planner in the process.
- If you plan to buy a new home, plan for closing and renovation costs and legal fees.
- If you need to buy a car or book flights, start looking early so you’re not stuck with a pricey deal.
- Get down to details. From movers and painters to new furniture and appliances, think through any potential costs so you’re well prepared.
5. Think beyond the practical
Community, friends, and family are all part of living a full life. Finding the right home is just as important as surrounding yourself with people who make a new city feel like home.What will your support system be like? If you’re moving somewhere for work, lifestyle, or to take care of family, prepare for a healthy balance by considering what your social life will be like. If you don’t have friends or a community where you’re going, find local coffee spots, sports teams, hobby groups, pottery classes, or spiritual communities where you can build a network of people.
Understand why you’re moving
You’ve likely heard the phrase “wherever you go, there you are.” It’s exciting to pack up and move, but make sure you’re moving to a place you want to be, rather than away from somewhere you don’t want to be.
Here are some of the reasons that people relocate:
- A new start. Perhaps you grew up in the place where you’re living and you want to build a family in a new place. Your goals may have changed since you moved to your current neighbourhood. You may be looking for a change of pace or you don’t need the fast-paced lifestyle that you used to love.
- A different environment. Maybe you love the outdoors and are tired of living in a downtown condo. Maybe you are tired of life on the farm and hungry for culture and want to walk to restaurants again.
- A new job or relevant job market. An actor will find more opportunity in Vancouver than Kingston, and a professor from Halifax might be hired in Toronto. Sometimes the place you’re moving chooses you, and a relocation for a definite job or potential opportunity feels right.
- Financial incentives. Losing a job or realizing you’re paying extra to live in a city you don’t love might inspire homeownership in a place where you can enjoy more space for less.
- People you care about. If you have family, friends, or romantic partners where you’re moving, that’s a clear motive. Some people relocate to care for elderly or sick family members, while others consider a move to a place where they’ll be able to find support, babysitters, community, or a like-minded community
Is relocating right for you?
Once you give up a rent controlled apartment or sell the home you’re in, you’ve committed to a big change. If you’re not completely sure about you relocating, consider a temporary move. Perhaps renting out or subletting your home or doing a home swap can give you a sense of what to expect.
Test out the move
Try living in your potential new neighbourhood for four months before giving up your current lifestyle. You might find that you can make a change in the place you live instead of relocating. For example, you might think that living in the woods makes you feel closer to nature, but you could make an intention to bike to your local park every day instead. Or maybe the thrill of a busy city wears off and you’ll miss the small town energy of where you live now.
Think about the future
If you’re renting, you have flexibility in trying out new places. But if you’re buying a home, think about what you might want five or 10 years down the road. Will you want a bigger home with room for a family? Are you sure that the city will still be a good fit for you by then?
Let Houseful help you navigate the homebuying process
Houseful provides personalized guidance for your real estate journey. Personalize your search by selecting home features most important to you. Our dedicated team of experts offer support all the way from initial planning to moving day, and our blog is full of articles to help you plan.
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