Moving to a brand new city is both exhilarating and daunting simultaneously; whilst it’s a great opportunity to experience new things, choosing somewhere that isn’t right for your family’s wants and needs can end in disaster.

Hence, when deciding to leave your current home town, there are many things you must consider; you need to decide exactly what it is you are looking for in a new city and select one accordingly.

Here’s Removers’ guide to 4 things to consider when moving to a new city.

Average Costs

Prices from city to city generally vary tremendously, so if you’re on a budget, then this is most likely the number one thing you should be researching. Basic costs such as public transport, healthcare and groceries are regular expenses, therefore moving to a city with a high cost of basic living can leave you in a crippling financial situation. Prevent this from happening by working out just how much you can afford to spend on basic expenses and only look for properties in the cities that match your budget.

Other costs to consider are basic utilities and bills; again, these vary greatly and you’d be surprised how big a difference they can make in your monthly costs.

House Prices

Maybe you like the idea of the bright lights of London, however this may not be a reality. House prices in London are sky high and the sad reality is that most people with homes outside London are out priced and unlikely ever to buy within the city.

If you’re thinking of getting a mortgage, then it’s a good idea to check your credit score as this is a huge factor in whether or not you will be awarded a loan. Once you’ve worked out how much money you have to play with, research property prices in your city of choice and check that you can get the type/size of property you require on your specific budget.

Finally, some cities are more rent friendly than others, so if you’re going to be renting then this is definitely something to check out.

Jobs and Education

If you’re moving to a new city, chances are you’re going to be looking for a new job. It is therefore important to check out the job market in your potential new home city. If unemployment is particularly high, then moving in might not be the best idea (unless you already have a job lined up, obviously).

Furthermore, you will need to consider your specific career industry; some towns have a diverse range of jobs with the potential to employ every type of job hunter, yet some are a hub for a certain industry only. If you’re a designer, then moving into a city full of factories might not be the best move…

Finally, if you know you’ll need to be working in a city where you will need to commute, then ensure there are good transport links close to home.

Got children? Considering the schools, colleges and other educational opportunities is vital for their wellbeing and future. Choose an area where the local schools are good and if applicable to your youngsters, do some research into any schemes or internships that they may want to take part in.

Quality of Life

Ask yourself what activities and events you enjoy doing/going to in your current hometown; if you love going to the gym or sporting events now, then it’s a good idea to try and find a new city that has the same sporting opportunities!

Some cities are great for fashion and shopping, others are good for art and museums whilst some may be all about nature. Make a decision about your priorities and be sure to consider these when you’re deciding on a city to suit you. Finding a city that houses all your current favourite activities and interests’ means you’re much more likely to settle quickly and be happy in your new home.

Proximity to family and friends will also affect your quality of life; being near to children’s grandparents sorts out a babysitter for one! If you know that being an easily travelable distance from loved ones is important to you, then be sure to take distance into account when researching different cities.

Exploring a new neighbourhood is often the best way to get a feel for it and seeing if you can imagine yourself living there; once you have narrowed it down to a set of favourite cities that meet your requirements be sure to visit them all to explore for the day to give you the best chance of making a good decision.

Good luck!