As the old saying goes, “Home is where the heart is.” For those looking for a new place to live, however, it can be difficult to find the right place to call home. From affordability to low crime rates to employment opportunities, there are a wide variety of things to consider when choosing the perfect place for you and your family. That’s why Syringa Property Management has put together a list of critical factors to consider to help you make this important decision.
Choosing The Best Place to Live
First, and foremost, it’s imperative to determine what is most important to you and your family. If you’re single, you may opt to call a bustling new city home. If you have a family, however, a small town may be a better option if you are looking for a safer, relaxed lifestyle.
Affordability
No matter your pay grade, it’s important to live comfortably and within your means. Affordability means more than just how much you spend on housing costs. Affordability also includes how much you will be spending on goods like clothes, gas, and groceries. Keep in mind, these things vary greatly from town to town. The amount you pay in taxes and utility services like electric and water also vary.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities differ from city-to-city and state-to-state. That’s why it’s important to take the time to research the job markets of the places you’re interested in living. Start by analyzing the quality jobs available within your industry before determining where the highest concentration of these opportunities are located.
Furthermore, the income level for jobs can vary greatly from place to place. Salaries are often based on where a job is located. For example, a HVAC technician might come with a larger salary in Seattle, Washington, but the cost of living is very high. That’s why it’s important to take the time to do your research before you make any snap decisions and to find a job before you relocate.
Crime Rates
No one want to live in a town with a high crime rate. However, that also doesn’t mean that everyone can live in the safest community where crime never happens. By researching the crime rates of various places, you can learn more about a town or neighborhood. Furthermore, you can contact a local police station to discuss any concerns you have about an area you are considering. Keep in mind, however that just because a town has a low crime rate doesn’t guarantee that nothing will happen.
Proximity to Family & Friends
Is it important for you to be close to your family and friends? Proximity to your loved ones is an important factor to consider when choosing the best place to live. If close relationships are important to you, you’ll want to choose a place within a reasonable distance of your loved ones. Otherwise, you may end up feeling torn and likely to spend all of your vacation time shuttling back and forth to visit friends and family.
Climate
Do you like to ski or snowboard during the winter? Maybe Nogales, Arizona isn’t the city you should call home. Not a fan of rain? You may want to avoid any coastal areas in Washington and Oregon. Since climate plays a big role in our lives because it impacts our commute, hobbies, and behavior, it’s important to live in an area where you are comfortable with.
Education
A good education is essential for setting your children up for a bright future. That’s why the importance of choosing a place with good schools is important. The quality of the public schools should also be factored into your finances because tuition for private schools can be extremely expensive.
Commute
The explosive growth of suburbs surrounding major metropolitan areas have made the commute for those that live in these areas unbearable. Furthermore, the length of time it takes for you to get to the places you need to be can impact your mental health. That’s why the commute you will have to deal with is an important determining factor in the decision to move to a new place.
Healthcare
Proximity to healthcare facilities like hospitals is important at any stage of life. However, it may be especially important if you have children or are near retirement age. Easy access to good healthcare can affect the quality of your life. That’s why it’s important to look for a place with good medical facilities and hospitals.
Syringa Property Management
The reality of choosing a new place to live encompasses a wide variety of important factors. In order to choose the best place for you and your family, you must determine what is most important, do your homework, and be vigilant in your search. While it can be intimidating and frustrating at times, all of your hard work and effort will be worth it in the end once you’ve settled in your ideal location.
If you are looking for an apartment for rent, Syringa Property Management is your team of management professionals offering superior tenant services. With our knowledge and expertise, we promise to provide the best housing environment for you. If you are interested in renting an apartment from us in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, Utah or Wyoming, contact us today to learn more.