Moving is a huge undertaking. Packing up every single item you own and schlepping it to a totally new home is difficult enough, but if you’ve got to find a whole new area to live, your challenges just grew exponentially. What will be the best new place for you and your family to live, grows, and most importantly, set down roots so that you don’t have to move again? How do you decide such a thing? What are the most important factors that should go into your decision? Should you consider cost above all else? If you do, then what about crime statistics? And what of your extended family? Do you really want to move so far away from them that you have to drive for hours to see them only on holidays? Following are some helpful tips from property and condo management companies in New Jersey that will help you make the right decision for you and your family.
Close to friends and extended family
If you have a lot of extended family members who are collected in one specific area, you likely want to live fairly close to them, especially if you have kids. For many folks, moving far away from close friends or family such as parents and grandparents is a deal-breaker, and they just won’t do it. Proximity to those you love may be the first and most important factor in your decision when choosing a great place to live.
Affordable
Undoubtedly, affordability tops just about everyone’s list when choosing a new place to live. Everyone needs to live within his or her means. Since rents and mortgages often take the biggest chunks out of paychecks, finding a place that’s affordable is at or near job one. And rent and mortgage aren’t the only considerations when it comes to choosing a new house, apartment, or condo. There are other expenses to consider when moving, such as prices in area grocery stores, gas stations, and for other goods and services. Taxes, too, must be taken into consideration.
Crime statistics
One of the most important factors that must go into finding a new place to live is area crime stats. All of us would love to live in a world where there’s no crime activity whatsoever. But the fact is that crime happens. You don’t want to live in an area whose crime statistics top the charts. There are many websites where crime figures are published by city, county, or state, and researching ahead of time is highly recommended by those who are in the know, such as property management companies.
Schools
Unless they home school, all parents who have school-age children need to consider the efficacy of the area’s educational system. The quality of the schools in the neighborhood you’re considering moving to is very important, especially if your kids will be attending those schools for much of their education. Area private schools may also be considered, as well as their tuition rates.
Public transportation and commute to job
Nobody wants to drive hours each way to get to their job, and that’s why it’s vital to take commute to work into consideration. It’s also important to look at public transportation, as oftentimes it may be less expensive and nearly as convenient to ride the bus or do a park-and-ride. Gas prices and time spent on the road away from family are also important considerations when choosing a new place to live.
Choosing a new place to live can be an overwhelming decision. It’s also an exciting new adventure that could be just what you need to shake up your life and get back on track. Make no mistake about it, though; moving is considered a major life change, and it should never be taken lightly. There are so many things to think about when you’re looking for a new place to live. Extended family, schools, healthcare facilities, job opportunities, crime statistics… the list can be extensive, especially if you don’t know where to turn.
