Is it time to relocate? 4 things to consider before you pack

The new year could be time for a change of scenery. Whether you have a dream destination in mind, or you’re just ready to leave your hometown, relocating to a new city can seem like the best choice to meet your goals. But a big move can be overwhelming, especially if it’s to a place you’ve been to just a few times (or never?).

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re looking to make one of life’s biggest changes.

Find new friends (and rekindle old)

While a fresh start may be just what you’re looking for, having at least a couple familiar faces in your new location can give you a head start on building your social and support networks—and feeling less lonely. Sites like Facebook and LinkedIn can help you discover if you have an old classmate in Denver, for example, or a former coworker in Miami. You can also look for friends of friends or distant cousins who may be eager to help you get settled.

Platonic “dating” sites and apps are becoming more common, and Bumble, SocialJane, and GirlFriendCircles can help start building your connections to friends in your new home.

Job availability

It’s simplest if you’re moving with a job you already have, of course. If your company has branches in different cities and you can swing it, having the reassurance of an existing job is a great way to get into a new location. See if your company’s policies address relocation.

If relocating is in your future, Appliance Warehouse, located across the United States, can come with you.

But if you already have connections in the new city, they can be useful here as well—from something as specific as helping you find a job at their workplace to being a name you can drop during a job interview. TheMuse.com’s tips for finding a job across the country include emphasizing any roots or connections you have in your new city, to reassure your potential new employer you’re serious about moving and plan to stick around.

Cost of living

A big question to ask yourself: How much do you need to earn to have at least the same standard of living as you had in your previous home base? If you take a job that pays as much, but similar apartments in similar neighborhoods rent for 25 percent more, your budget will get tight quickly.

Bankrate.com has an online calculator to compare the cost of living between your old and new cities. Plug in your current salary, your hometown, and where you want to go, and it will tell you what you need to earn to have the same buying power. For example, to move from Marietta, Georgia, to Charlotte, North Carolina, you need to earn over 3 percent more. But to go from Nashville to Seattle, you’ll need to earn 47 percent more.

Moving’s unexpected expenses

If it’s been a while since you moved, or if you’ve never moved long-distance, you can forget how costs add up:

Movers, a truck you drive, or a portable storage container
Packing supplies
Storage space if you don’t move directly into a new home
Fees for turning on utilities
More takeout or road food during your transition
Lost wages if you’re not working during the move

And that’s just the short list. Finding strategies to minimize some of these costs will save you money and worry. Ask friends for moving recommendations and leftover packing supplies (neighbors in your area might have boxes in their garage, or new residents in your building might be happy to let you have theirs). Think hard about what you need to store—holding onto boxes of old books or furniture you don’t really like or use can add to a long-term storage bill. Try to minimize how long you’re actually on the road, and pack coolers with sandwiches and snacks from the grocery store if you can.