Before you make an impulsive decision and give your landlord a notice to vacate, it’s important to understand the pros and cons that come with moving to a new place.
The pros of moving
Let’s start with the good stuff. Here are a few reasons you should consider packing up and heading out.
New opportunities
While there is, of course, the occasional “just needed a change” move, most of the time moves are motivated by the hunt for new opportunities. Whether you’re considering moving for a job, to be with a partner or to be close to family, the motive behind a move can make it all worth it.
A new environment
Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash
We clearly recognize the importance of a change of scenery. So, it should come as no surprise that one of the most exciting parts of a move is getting to change up your environment.
If you’re moving to a new neighborhood within your city, you get the chance to explore new shops, restaurants and parks that you might not have previously known about. Or maybe you’ll meet a new community of people who will become your village.
If you’re moving across the country or beyond, you might get to experience new types of terrain, climate and culture.
Wherever your move takes you, it’s a sure bet that you’ll experience a change of scenery and new adventures, and that can be exciting and very healthy for a person’s life.
A new start
In addition to new opportunities and a fresh environment, moving grants us the opportunity to reinvent ourselves in any way we choose. Living in the same place for years and interacting with the same people every day can often make people feel trapped inside an identity box.
When you move, you can look inside at who you truly want to be and then reorient yourself without any preconceived expectations from the new people you meet.
The cons of moving
With the good comes the bad. Here are a few reasons it might make more sense to stay put.
Relocation depression
Many people experience relocation depression after a big move to a new city. Packing up your life and moving to a strange, new place can actually be terrifying. And of course, you’ll miss your friends and family that you’re leaving behind.
Although there are ways to meet new people in a new city or neighborhood, how much of your previous life you will miss is something you should consider when thinking about moving to a new place.
The packing
One of the most consuming aspects of moving to a new place technically takes place before moving day even rolls around — the packing. Packing can be very difficult and stressful.
First, you have to get all the gear – boxes, tape, foam peanuts, bubble wrap. Then, you have to dismantle, organize and pack all of your belongings. And finally, you have to pack everything onto a truck.
For some, moving might not even be worth the trouble of packing.
The cost
Another truth about moving is that the process can be a costly one. There are several variables that will determine the cost of your potential move, such as:
- Whether you’ll do it yourself or hire professional movers
- The distance you’ll be moving
- Price to activate utilities at your new home
In some cases, you can deduct the cost of moving on your federal tax return for that year, so that should fall into consideration of the financial aspects as well.
In an ideal world, you should be able to offset the costs associated with a move within two years after moving. If your job prospects or savings can’t ensure that, you might consider scaling down the move or postponing it all together.
