Factors to Consider When Moving to a New City

Publish Date: October 17, 2025

Last Modified Date: October 17, 2025

Category: Moving Advice, Moving Checklists & Planning

Tags: Tags: cheap movers, city guide, Everybody's How-To's, get organized, hireahelper, how to move, movers, moving, moving tips, new city, new school

No matter if you’re moving to a new city by choice or by necessity, the process comes with big emotions, physical labor, and endless tasks.

That’s why it’s important to think through logistics such as hiring movers, changing your address, and finding housing before you take the leap. Planning can help you save money, reduce stress, and make sure you’re choosing the right city.

In this guide, we’ll go through everything that’s involved in a move: researching the city, planning and budgeting, and preparing for the inevitable emotional impact. We’ve also created a complete moving to a new city checklist to help you stay organized so every important detail is covered.

Why People Move to a New City
Preparing for the Move
Moving to a New City Checklist
Settling Into Your New City
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving to a New City
Tips for Moving to a New City Alone
Moving to a New City Checklist PDF

Why People Move to a New City

People move to new cities for a lot of reasons, but housing is the most common. In our 2024-25 HireAHelper Migration Report, 14.95% of people said that they moved to find a new or better place to live. Cost is a big motivator — 7.5% of people moved for cheaper housing, and 6% relocated so they could buy a house instead of renting.

Major life changes often inspire people to relocate. About 10.1% of moves happen because of a new job or a job transfer. And 8.3% of people move because they’re ready to set up their own household.

Pros and Cons of Moving to a New City

Moving somewhere completely new is exciting, but it also has drawbacks that can impact your career, family, and lifestyle. If you absolutely have to move, like for a job or family situation, you have to take the plunge no matter what. But if you’ve decided to move for your own reasons, you should weigh the pros and cons before you start packing.

Pros of moving to a new city

New opportunities: A new city opens you up to new experiences, people, and job opportunities that you might not have in your current city.
Higher quality of life: Moving can give you access to better housing, a lower cost of living, higher salaries, and a bigger social circle.
Emotional benefits: Relocating can be good for you if you need a fresh start or want to experience something new.

Cons of moving to a new city

Stress: Moving can be extremely stressful. In fact, 29% of people say they’d rather get a divorce than move again!
Costs: Uprooting your life can be expensive and time-consuming.
Family challenges: Relocating can be hard on your family, especially if you have kids.

Preparing for the Move

Happy moves usually have one thing in common: planning. Knowing what to expect in your new city, especially when it comes to lifestyle, cost of living, and housing options, makes it easier to prepare.

Research the City First

Relocating is a big commitment, so it pays to research carefully before you decide. Now is the perfect time to do a deep dive into your new city and ask the big questions that affect the move.

Will I like it here?

Living in a city is a completely different experience from visiting, so make sure to research the things that will affect you as a resident. For example, consider how the local industries might change your lifestyle. A city with a big tourism industry will have plenty to do, but you’ll also have to deal with road congestion.

“When you arrive [in your new city], you can take leisurely walks, drives, or public transport to check out interesting spots along the way. This is the best way to find great local bakeries and hole-in-the-wall diners that can become new go-to places.”

You should also look at what matters in your everyday life. Judge the city’s walkability using Walk Score, check the air quality on AirNow, or look at the public transportation system map to make sure it can get you where you need to go.

Social opportunities can be a lifeline in a new place, so spend some time in city subreddits to get a sense of where people your age hang out. Do they tend to socialize in bars, community centers, and fitness groups, or are there other things to do? Find out about local events and cultural performances on Eventbrite and the city’s official events calendar.

Will my family like it here?

Your family’s happiness can make or break a move. Make sure your kids have the resources they need by checking school ratings on GreatSchools, and request quotes well in advance from several local daycare facilities to get an idea of costs and availability.

As you’re house-hunting, websites such as Neighborhood Scout and Family Watchdog can help you find a safe neighborhood with family-friendly activities and amenities nearby. You can also scan Google Maps for local parks, children’s museums, and outdoor activities. You can also search for local kids’ sports leagues and after-school clubs.

Will I be able to afford it?

You’ll want to avoid moving to a new city and realizing that the higher costs are going to wipe out your disposable income. The comparison calculators at Bankrate and Nerdwallet can show you how much you need to earn to maintain the same living standard.

In general, you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your pre-tax income on housing. If you’re making $100,000 per year, that’s a max of $2,500 per month. That amount might cover a spacious place in a smaller city — for example, the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Nashville, TN is about $1,642. In New York City, the average 2-bedroom rent is $4,529, which means the same budget won’t stretch nearly as far.

Think about job stability, too. Do the companies in your industry offer room to grow? If you lose your job, is it easy to find other opportunities? Jobseeker groups on Facebook can give you a personal perspective on the job market.

Find Housing

Check the average housing prices on sites like Zillow or Apartments.com, and ask yourself these questions:

Are there plenty of options in your price range?
Can you find affordable places in your top neighborhoods?

If the answer is yes to both, you’re ready to start house-hunting. Visit the new city fora few days to look at properties, or use photos and online video tours to pick your top places. Then, fill out applications and wait to see if you’re approved. From there, you can choose the best option, sign a lease, and pay the security deposit.

Nervous about renting a home sight unseen? Consider booking a month or two in a short-term rental. That way, you can see properties and neighborhoods in person before committing to a purchase or a long-term lease.

Set a Moving Budget

Now that you have an idea of the average rent and living expenses in your new city, it’s time to make a budget for the move. A moving budget is a plan for covering one-time relocation expenses along with everyday costs until you’re earning again. Building one helps you avoid surprise expenses and understand how much savings you’ll need before moving.

Include these expenses in your moving budget:

Packing supplies
Professional movers or moving truck rental
Temporary housing and storage, if needed
Travel expenses for hotels, gas, and restaurants
Security deposit and first month’s rent
Utility deposits
Childcare
1-3 months’ living expenses

The total depends on your situation, home size, family size, and how far you’re moving. Our data shows that moving costs can range from $450 to $10,000 or more.

Moving to a New City Checklist

There’s a lot to do when you’re moving to a new city, which is why it’s so helpful to have a checklist on hand. It keeps you organized and ensures that you don’t forget anything important.

Here are some steps to take before and after the move.

Before the Move

Look for jobs: Start applying for jobs in your new city as soon as possible. The process can take a while, and you don’t want to be out of work for too long in a completely new area.
Declutter and pack: Get rid of anything you don’t want to take with you. Then, pack one room at a time, making sure to label boxes clearly.
Secure housing: Research properties online or in person, and sign a lease that aligns with your moving schedule. Ask about move-in hours, where you can park a moving truck, and whether you need to reserve an elevator, loading dock, or parking spaces.
Hire movers: Once you have a move-in date, book movers to transport your stuff. To keep costs down, rent a moving truck and hire labor-only movers to do the loading and unloading.
Set up utilities and internet: As soon as you have a new address, call the local electricity, gas, water, and internet providers to set up new accounts. Schedule each service to turn on a day or two before you move in.
Update your address: Change your address with your bank, doctor, credit card companies, insurance companies, phone provider, and government agencies.
Forward your mail: It can take time for address changes to kick in. To make sure you’re getting your mail, forward it to your new address through the USPS.
Arrange transportation: Figure out how you’re getting to your new city and how you’ll get around once you arrive. Will you be bringing your car, or do you plan to take public transportation?
Close your home: Clean your house. Hand the keys over to the buyers if you’re selling, or return them to the landlord.
Get your car ready: Vacuum your car and bring it to the mechanic for a tune-up.

After the Move

Unpack your things: Start with the things you’ll need right away, and work your way gradually through boxes of non-essentials such as decor.
Update important documents: If you’re moving to a new state, update your health insurance, car insurance, and driver’s license.
Find new service providers: Look for new doctors, dentists, gyms, vets, and cleaning services.
Update health care information: Once you find a new doctor, ask your old doctor to transfer your medical records and prescriptions.
Enroll your kids in school or childcare: Tour the school or daycare in person, and sign up your children.
Settle in to your new home: Join clubs, attend exercise classes, volunteer with local organizations, and explore your new city.

Moving comes with a lot of life admin and physical work. If you can start early, you’ll avoid the stress of a last-minute rush.

Settling Into Your New City

Once moving day is history, you can focus on building a life in your new city. Now, you can start meeting people, exploring the area, and learning how to stay safe in your new surroundings.

Getting Connected

One of the most exciting — and intimidating — parts of moving to a new city is building your social and professional networks. Start close to home and introduce yourself to your neighbors. You can also sign up for Nextdoor and neighborhood Facebook groups to join in conversations and see what’s happening in the area.

“In general, you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your pre-tax income on housing. If you’re making $100,000 per year, that’s a max of $2,500 per month.”

If you want to build a professional network, look for “networking professionals” groups on Facebook, or check with the local chamber of commerce to sign up for local business events. You can also join the local chapter of professional industry associations. Networking events, volunteer days, and social events are great places to meet career-minded people.

When it comes to making friends, activities are your best bet. Join something that sounds interesting, like exercise classes, book clubs, running groups, church choirs, community theater productions, and cooking classes. Strike up conversations with everyone you meet while you’re there. Apps like Bumble BFF and Meetup can also help you connect to other people who are looking for friends.

Exploring Your New Neighborhood

Getting to know your new neighborhood helps it feel more like home. Make a list of restaurants that look interesting, and pick a new one every time you go out for dinner. If you have kids, do the same for parks and playgrounds. Eventually, you’ll start to find favorites, build a new routine, and recognize a few faces.

Give yourself plenty of time to explore, too. When you arrive, you can take leisurely walks, drives, or public transport to check out interesting spots along the way. This is the best way to find great local bakeries and hole-in-the-wall diners that can become new go-to places.

You can also check the neighborhood and city calendars for upcoming events such as festivals, restaurant weeks, block parties, and holiday events. Chatting with vendors and other guests can help you feel less isolated.

Staying Safe

As you explore, take a few precautions to stay safe. Check local crime maps, and take note of dangerous neighborhoods. Sign up for the police department’s public safety alert system to get notifications about crimes and other emergencies.

The best advice usually comes from other residents. Ask your coworkers and new friends for recommendations. For example, you can ask if there are any places in the city they avoid, or if they feel safe taking public transportation late at night.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving to a New City

Moving comes with a few common pitfalls that can make the experience harder than it needs to be. To create a smoother transition into your new life, avoid these mistakes:

Not budgeting enough money: Take the budget you think you’ll need and add 20% to give yourself a little wiggle room. The extra cash reduces stress while you look for a job or wait for your first paycheck.
Not doing your research: A few Google searches and a weekend visit aren’t enough to decide if a new city is a good fit. Make sure you look into costs, housing, job prospects, and social opportunities before taking the leap.
Romanticizing the new city: While you research, make sure you’re not glossing over the challenging aspects of the city. Be realistic about what you can afford and what you actually want.
Packing too much: Decluttering can be time-consuming, but it’s worth the effort. Bringing fewer things means you’ll spend less on movers and have an easier time unpacking.
Isolating yourself by living and working alone: Consider living with roommates or working an in-office job to build a community faster. Otherwise, you might need to step outside your comfort zone (e.g., watching your favorite shows) and push yourself to try new activities and meet people.

If you’ve moved more than once, you’ve probably made at least one of these mistakes before. The good news? They’re pretty easy to avoid once you know what to look out for.

Tips for Moving to a New City Alone

If you’re moving to a new city by yourself, you’ll need to get organized. You’re responsible for all the expenses and labor, so you’ll probably need to do more planning than those who have a lot of extra helping hands.

Here are some specific tips for a solo move to a new city:

Start budgeting as early as possible: You should begin to save for your relocation at least 6–12 months in advance.
Expand your emergency fund: Just like your moving budget, you should be looking to squirrel away at least 3–6 months of living expenses.
Choose manageable packing boxes: When you’re moving solo, it’s even more important to pack well. Make sure that no box is too heavy for you to lift without help.
Join community groups quickly: Start making friends as soon as you arrive.
Build routines locally: Become a regular at a coffee shop, grocery store, or gym.
Celebrate milestones: Take time to recognize your successes and accomplishments.

A Note About Moving to a New City Alone in Your 20s

Moving alone is always challenging, but it’s especially overwhelming in your 20s — you’re leaving your childhood or college home behind. You might find yourself feeling extra-attached to your friends, family, and familiar places.

These strong emotions are completely normal, but they don’t have to hold you back. Remind yourself that the move will open up new doors in your career and personal life. It might be helpful to make a list of the reasons you want to move — a new job, exciting hobbies, etc.

Still feeling worried? Remember that nothing is permanent. If you end up hating the new city, you can always move back. At the very least, it’ll be an adventure and a learning experience.

Tools to stay organized during your move

There are a few things you can do to feel more at peace with moving to a new city alone in your 20s. Build a solid savings fund, so you have a safety net in case things don’t work out. It’s also helpful to make a plan and a schedule to help you stay organized. Use these resources to make sure you’re covering all the bases:

Moving to a new city can be a big undertaking, but it can also open up a new world of opportunities and possibilities. With thorough research, careful budgeting, and plenty of planning, you can avoid pitfalls and settle in faster.

Moving to a New City Checklist PDF

Getting ready to move to a new city? Here are all the things you’ll need to take care of before, during, and after moving day:

Download the Moving to a New City Checklist

How to Incorporate Chip and Joanna’s Fixer Upper Style Into YOUR Home!

Author: DIY Playbook

Publish Date: April 8, 2016

Last Modified Date: July 11, 2023

Category: Home Improvement

Tags: Tags: design a room, Fixer Upper, get organized, hgtv, home organization, home projects, interior design, movers, organ, painting tips, real estate tips, selling a home, selling your house

If you are a Fixer Upper Fan, today’s post is for you! The star couple behind HGTV’s show, Fixer Upper, have completely stolen the hearts of America with their ability to transform old, run-down properties into homes that belong on the cover of a magazine.

Not only do Chip & Joanna Gaines create these swoon-worthy spaces, they do it while oozing positivity, happiness, and a great sense of humor. (more…)

Preparing for Moving Day: 10 Ways to Make Your Movers’ Lives Easier

Author: Kevin The Mover

Publish Date: June 17, 2015

Last Modified Date: June 17, 2025

Category: Moving Day

Tags: Tags: checklist, Everybody's How-To's, get organized, movers, moving, moving advice, Moving Checklist, moving tips, moving truck, packing tips

There are a lot of tips and tricks out there to streamline your move, but ultimately, the best way to prepare for movers is to have everything organized and ready to go before your movers arrive. This not only saves the movers’ time, but it also saves you money, especially if you’re paying by the hour. A little planning goes a long way in making moving day smoother for everyone.

Not sure how to make sure everything’s ready to go? Following this guide’s advice will help you prepare like a pro — and make things easier for your movers, too.

How to Prepare for Movers (Before They Arrive)

Before the movers show up, make sure your home is packed and prepped. This will help them get the job done quicker and more efficiently, saving you time, stress, and possibly money if your movers charge by the hour.

“Remember that propane tanks are also prohibited [on moving trucks]. Movers will likely refuse to take them, even if they are certified empty.”

If you live somewhere with tight parking and elevators, like a big-city high-rise, consider reserving a parking spot and elevator ahead of time so your movers can get in and out as quickly as possible. Don’t forget — if they have to move items to a truck parked far from your home (called a “long carry” in the business), it may cost extra.

Here are 10 things you can do ahead of moving day to make it go easier for everyone involved.

1. Disconnect and unplug as many electronics, lamps, and appliances as possible

See all those cords and wires back there on the floor behind the TV stand? That dusty tangle of connections for your gaming systems, surround sound, and Roku box? Or all of the appliances in your kitchen, like the coffee maker, blender, and air fryer?

Your movers, of course, would be fine with spending half an hour disconnecting that mess — but is that really what you want to pay them for?

Instead, make sure you’ve unplugged and organized all electronics and setups like this before the movers arrive. Also, make things easy on yourself by labeling and organizing all those cords. Put them in Ziploc bags, or simply wrap them in newspaper and label them with what machine or appliance they go to. Even better, this makes the setup at your new place way easier.

2. Get everything off of every single wall

This step can be done little by little in five- or ten-second increments weeks ahead of your move.

It’s this simple: when you walk past any picture, knick-knack, painting, or something else, take it down, and place it against the wall on the floor. Or, find some out-of-the-way wall space where you can lean all of these items. Do the same with all your smaller picture frames from the side tables and shelves. If you follow these steps before your moving day, you’ll have saved your movers a lot of precious time.

Pro Tip: Keep a small bag for all those nails and hangers, since you’ll want them when it’s time to start decorating your new home.

3. Strip your mattress and fold your bedding

Instantly make your bed move-ready by stripping the mattress and folding up all your bedding ahead of your move. If the movers are packing you up, they’ll only have to stick those blankets, pillows, and sheets inside a box. If you’re doing your own packing, then have a box ready by your bed so that you can get that box packed before you’re even out of your pajamas.

Pro Tip: After stripping your mattress, disassemble all your big furniture, such as bed frames. You might also break down shelves and tables for easy moving.

4. Disassemble your bike

If you have a bicycle ( or a few), get them move-ready. Bicycles don’t fit well into a loaded truck with the handlebars sticking out on both sides, or with the front wheels still on. Bikes are also usually among the last items to be loaded onto the truck, when there’s often not a lot of space left.

If you’re inexperienced, you may risk damaging your bike, so be gentle and take your time. And don’t forget, if you’re not sure what to do, YouTube is your friend for showing visual guides on how to disassemble and protect your bike for a move.

Also, make sure you keep that wheel with the rest of the bike — you’ll need it later. This sounds obvious, but we’ve seen that front wheel get set aside for last and then end up forgotten during moves plenty of times before.

5. Make a space for anything you don’t want movers to touch

In preparing for your move, you’ll find a whole host of items you’ll want to keep on hand: phone, charger, birth and marriage certificates, stuff to mail, work documents, family heirloom jewelry — you get the idea.

You might want to designate a place for all the stuff you don’t want packed or moved. A kitchen counter is usually a good choice. Put everything in this category into a marked box, or in a pile against the wall where there will also likely be an outlet to keep your gadgets charged.

Pro Tip: Make sure you keep paths clear so movers can get to everything without tripping. This includes keeping kids and pets safely out of the way, too, so consider boarding your pets and hiring a babysitter. That way, you can focus on the move, and nobody will be accidentally underfoot.

6. Clear and defrost your freezer

Plan accordingly to pack and clear your fridge, freezer, and pantry. The added benefit of doing this before moving day is that you have plenty of time to defrost, clear things out, and figure out what to do with all the perishable food. Like the saying goes, you can’t take it with you. Eat it, donate it, or give it to your neighbor.

And when you do get around to it, do not use an ice pick, screwdriver, pocket knife, or any other metal object to break up that unwanted ice in the freezer. It’s way too easy to put a hole in the siding. Instead, leave the door open, unplug your refrigerator or freezer, and let the ice melt. Don’t forget to put a bath towel down to soak up the water.

7. Drain your mowers and other tools

Oil and gasoline are among the things movers are not allowed to put on their truck, in a rental truck. That includes what’s in your lawn mower and other similar tools that use fuel to run. Running these machines out of gas might be one option, but siphoning it is a better option.

Remember that propane tanks are also prohibited. Movers will likely refuse to take them, even if they are certified empty.

We recommend erring on the side of caution and leaving them with someone, turning them in (Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.), or selling them (Craigslist is an oft-used option).

8. Break down the shelves

This may be logistically challenging if your shelves are loaded with stuff your movers will be packing up, but if you have the floor space, put those shelf items in organized piles and disassemble them yourself.

When you take apart your shelf units, finish the job by tying the pieces together with some string or twine. Make sure your bundles are manageable — 3 or 4 shelf pieces and 4 to 6 upright pieces each.

Pro Tip: While you’re breaking down shelves, take some time to declutter in advance. Donate, toss, or organize the items you don’t want to move.

9. Know where things go ahead of time

We realize how hectic the days and weeks leading up to move day can be. It’s rare that there are no last-minute issues to handle. But you’ll make things a lot less likely to go sideways if you can tell your movers exactly what goes where and in what room, and the best way to do this is with proper labeling.

“…[label] and [organize] all those cords. Put them in Ziploc bags, or simply wrap them in newspaper and label them with what machine or appliance they go to.”

Label your boxes clearly with room names and fragile tags. You can even mark boxes with their contents so you know what you’re opening while unpacking. Color coding is also a great way to organize.

Be sure to set aside any essentials you’ll need right after moving day. Think meds, chargers, and overnight bags. Label your essentials bag so it doesn’t accidentally get packed up!

10. Get your friends to help

You might think that if you hired people to move your stuff, you wouldn’t ask others to do more work. But this isn’t about doing any hard labor. Your friends can help you with packing, organizing, or planning, which makes your move even easier.

An extra few sets of hands before the movers are on the scene can cut your move time by even one hour, which can sometimes save you hundreds.

Final Thoughts: Preparing for Moving Day

A little preparation goes a long way in making moving day easier for everyone involved. When your home is packed, labeled, and ready to go, your movers can get started right away, saving time and reducing stress. Even small tasks, like clearing pathways or labeling boxes clearly, can make a big difference in how smoothly the day goes.

Need an extra hand on moving day? Book trusted, local movers through HireAHelper and get the heavy lifting done right.

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