There are a number of events in one’s life that can be earmarked and life-changing. Starting a family, finishing school, or buying a house are good examples. Moving out of state and starting life in a new place and new environment also qualifies as a life changing event. Such a move can be a huge turning point in your life – hopefully for the better.
If you’re weighing whether you should make your long move out of San Diego, or whatever state/city you’re in, the following questions can help you put things into perspective.
Do you have plans on how to earn a living after moving?
When people move, their ability to earn a living or the way they earn their upkeep usually changes. This is a huge factor that you should consider before moving out of state, for obvious reasons. Different regions offer different opportunities. One industry may perform better in one state and not so well in another. Some professions also do better in some states as compared to others. So do your homework and see whether you’ll be able to do well in the new state. And considering that your earning potential will dictate how you live, you may want to choose where to relocate to based on this information.
Are you mentally and financially prepared for the life change?
Moving entails more than just changing addresses and houses. It affects your entire lifestyle, especially when you move to a new state. More so if you relocate to a region that is very different from what you’re used to. You find that the sights, sounds, culture, environment, and even climate is different. It is important to consider these factors and to be prepared in advance. Financially, it is important to consider the cost of housing, school, food, transportation and entertainment in the state you’re going to. For example, when moving from CA, to say, Oregon, you may find that you’ll need to own cars to move about more than you did in Los Angeles.
Have you considered how the move will affect your proximity to friends and family?
Work aside, friends and family are an important part of life. And your ability to see, interact, and develop relationships with these people will change after your move. Will you be able to see them more or less? If you’re moving to start a family or settle in a new state, the permanent change will mean a permanent effect on these relationships. So consider this and weigh whether you’ll be able to handle it.
How will your quality of life be affected by the move?
Last but not least, consider how your quality of life will change after the move. Will you need to work harder to get by or will you be able to work a little less? Will your earning go up or down? Will you manage to spend more time with family or by yourself? Will you be able to improve your relationships or the opposite? Moving from California to Texas, for example, could mean living in a better property, saving more money, and perhaps getting away from a busy city lifestyle.
So there is no simple answer to the question of whether it’s good to move out of state. It all depends on whether the move will have more or a positive or a negative effect on your life based on the above considerations.
