Moving can be overwhelming—especially in the middle of a pandemic. Luckily, it’s still doable and doesn’t have to be the all-around stressful process you’re probably expecting. Even while you’re in the researching phase of this journey, there are many things you can do early on that will make the whole process seem much simpler. Today, we’re going to go over some broad steps you can take to make your move manageable.

Figure Out Where You Want to Move

You may already have a destination in mind, but it’s still a good idea to look around at potential places where you can see yourself settling. You’d be surprised how many unique cities out there can be the right fit for you even if you had never thought of them before. This first step should be broad. Don’t get too far into the nitty gritty too quickly. Base your initial findings off your basic wants and needs, and the wants and needs of your family, too. 

Do Your Research

Now, we can dive a little deeper… One of the most important pieces of advice a moving professional can give you is do not relocate on a whim. Your dream location may look perfect on paper, but it’s important to figure out if it’s truly the right place for you. On top of getting the overall vibe for the area, it’s important to plan ahead for your future, too.

After all, if you’re buying a home there, you may very well be starting a family there, too. Before we get into some important statistics you should always look up, we want to remind you to also keep an eye on COVID-19 cases and statistics in whatever area you plan to travel to. It’s important to note if the Coronavirus is spreading where you are going, how far you’re traveling, and how many people you will be in close contact with throughout your trip. Some other things you should look at include:

Cost of Living

At the top of the list is the overall cost of living in the area you plan to be in. Basic necessities and services can vary greatly from city to city, so it’s important to have a clear idea of your budget and a general sense of how much things like housing, groceries, gas, utilities, and other services cost.

Crime Rates

Another important thing to consider when choosing your next home is the crime rate in the area. Even if you’ve fallen in love with a town, it’s important to ask yourself if you want to risk your safety—and the safety of your family—to be there. Check out local crime mapping sites and search your future neighborhood, so you can have peace of mind as you move forward.

Employment Market

Oftentimes, moving to a new city means finding a new job, too. Before you pack up and go, make sure you check out the job market for industries you’re interested in so you can plan accordingly as you get settled into your new home. For job openings across multiple industries, some of the best places to consider include Scottsdale, AZ, Columbia, MD, San Francisco, CA, and many more. 

School Systems

Whether you have children now or you plan to, it’s important to take a look at your potential new area’s educational systems. This includes looking at things like graduation rates and college attendance, as well as the proximity of your new home to local universities, as that can completely shift the overall feel of the town that you’re in. 

Select Your Moving and Storage Team

The final step in the process is finding the right moving team for your relocation. At Merit Moving Systems, both our local movers and long-distance movers are professionally trained and certified to tackle relocations of all sizes and scopes. What’s more is we offer short- and long-term storage services, too!

Most importantly, we go the extra mile to keep everyone protected during these challenging times. As an essential business, we have learned how to complete moves safely with extra health and safety measures, including virtual surveys, no-touch shipments, additional cleaning, and mask mandates and frequent temperature checks for all employees. For more information on how to protect your move, check out these guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

If you’re ready to start planning your move, give us a call or fill out our online form to schedule a free video or in-person consultation today.