Moving from the big city with its bright city lights and bustling city traffic to a smaller town with way fewer people is probably going to be quite an eye-opener. That’s not to say, though, that it can’t be an eye-opener in all the right ways, though. So, if that’s you, and you’re making such a drastic lifestyle change, here are some helpful tips from Howard Hanna Professionals on how to move to a smaller town without it being a total shock to the system.
Settle on a Property
Finding your ideal home that ticks all the right boxes may be a bit more difficult to do in a small town because there may not be that many suitable properties to choose from. That said, you may have to opt for a fixer-upper instead that you can renovate according to how you want it to look.
Look at the available homes and the median home sale price to get an idea of what you’ll need to spend. Ideally, you’ll want a property that doesn’t need much upgrading. However, suppose you find a home with real potential, but it does require some serious upgrades, then Wells Fargo notes that you should make a list of all that needs to be done as well as determine how much it’ll cost so that you can fit it into your budget accurately.
Moreover, you should ideally save an additional 20% to cover particularly serious issues such as redoing the HVAC system, fixing any issues that have to do with removing mold or asbestos, repairing any electrical wiring issues, etc.
Focus on Networking
If you’re moving to a new town, getting to know the locals better is a great place to start, especially if you have to start looking for a new job too. Plus, it’ll probably be easier to make friends even before you move down there, which might make the move a less scary prospect.
Consider a New Degree for a Location-Relevant Career Change
Unless you are a remote worker, you’ll need to think about what kind of career you will have once you relocate. It’s best to have a job arranged before you move, but you can always have a plan in place to pursue an even better one. For instance, if you want to work in the IT field, which can lead to a high-paying job, consider continuing your education with a degree in information systems. You can concentrate on subjects like network security and scripting and programming. So think about your plans and start making plans today!
Make Sure You Have Transportation
One thing you’ll probably have to get used to quickly is the fact that public transportation might not be as readily available. So, it may be worthwhile to ensure you have adequate transportation to get to and from work (as well as to do a bit of sightseeing, too!).
Service may be Slower than Usual
You may find that general services in your area such as plumbing, electrical repairs, and landscaping, for example, may not be that easy to come by. Moreover, if you actually are able to book an appointment, you may find that you’re at the end of a long waiting list on top of it all. Therefore, if you consider yourself to be quite handy around the house, and you’re especially proud of your DIY skills, then you could choose to oversee these tasks instead of outsourcing help to do it for you.
Update Your Business Documents
If you own your own business, you’ll need to ensure that your business documents and information are updated for your new town. If you haven’t yet registered your business, Shopify suggests filing as a limited liability company as it will give you asset protection and tax incentives. Check your website and all available online information to update your mailing address, too.
Get Used to a Lower Cost of Living
The great thing about moving to a smaller town is that the overall cost of living may be considerably lower, too. This means that you probably won’t have quite as many expenses to budget for, which means you’ll have extra funds to save and spend as you wish!
Enjoy the Adventure
Moving from a big city to a smaller town should be quite the experience. That it’ll take some getting used to (especially if you’re from a big town) is a certainty. Nonetheless, it could end up being the adventure of a lifetime as your focus shifts to simpler and perhaps more meaningful ways of doing life.
Howard Hanna Professionals is focused on bringing superior service and innovating marketing programs to buyers and sellers of single family, multi-family, commercial, farm, vacation, and acreage. Contact us today to learn more! (716) 372-1155
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