Overall, about one in five Americans moved <\/a>during the height of the pandemic in 2020, or know someone who did, and the reshuffling of locales continued well into 2021.<\/p>\n The heightened mobility is accompanied by a greater risk of buyer\u2019s remorse, however, and Calvo advises those seeking a new hometown to carefully weigh the rational and emotional aspects of the decision. In addition to doing your own research about potential destinations, Calvo said one of the most important steps is to connect with an experienced agent<\/a> for guidance and valuable insights.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re at a high point for relocations everywhere in the country,\u201d Calvo says. \u201cPeople are itching for change from where they\u2019ve been living. This is where we, as professionals, can provide the most help.\u201d<\/p>\n Moving can entail stress, anxiety, financial expenses and a loss of community that can trigger sadness, so it\u2019s not a decision to make on a whim.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat brought you here?\u201d This is a common question fielded by nearly everyone who\u2019s ever relocated to a new part of the country. There are a lot of reasons why people decide to move to a new place. These can include:<\/p>\n The important thing is to clearly identify your own reasons, and then prioritize and contextualize them.<\/p>\n For example, your primary reason for moving may be to break into a new career because there are limited job options in that field in your current city. However, you could also have secondary reasons, like wanting to be in a city with an active nightlife that also has an array of fine independent coffee shops, especially after being cooped up for months during the shutdown.<\/p>\n In such a scenario, it\u2019s important to consider that the move itself may change your priorities. You may find yourself so busy with your new job that you\u2019d rather spend evenings brushing up on professional skills, or you discover that brewing your morning buzz has become a more enticing ritual than venturing out to the nearest espresso bar.<\/p>\n In another scenario, you might decide to move from the icy Northeast to the balmier Southeast only to find that high humidity makes you less comfortable than having chronically cold toes. In other words, Calvo explains, deliberating on the decision involves thinking about potential outcomes and knowing what really matters the most to you in a hometown.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are taking advantage of today\u2019s market and moving for personal, business, health and political reasons, or to retire early and work from home in a place with nice weather,\u201d Calvo says. \u201cAlso, there are issues with taxation and inflation in other states \u2014 taxes are high in California and New York, for example.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to upending the world as we knew it more generally, the pandemic led to economic upheaval causing scores of job losses, career changes by necessity, a shift to remote or hybrid work models, a greater desire for outdoor recreational opportunities and sweeping changes in the real estate market.<\/p>\n According to Calvo, a spike in home prices motivated many empty nesters to sell their homes and downsize, maximizing their return on investment. Low interest rates have also enticed first-time homebuyers and those wanting to upgrade from starter homes without having to empty their cash reserves on the purchase.<\/p>\n In many instances, homeowners are taking advantage of the market and selling high-priced homes in places like California for houses with equivalent square footage in lower cost states like Idaho.<\/p>\n According to a study by moving company United Van Lines<\/a>, here are the states with the highest inbound migration during the the pandemic:<\/p>\n The National Association of Realtors<\/a> found these states had the highest outbound migration during the pandemic:<\/p>\n A better bet than following the latest trends is to do extensive research on potential destinations. But before you even get to the research phase, the first step is to take stock of your current location and know exactly what you want in the next one. Ultimately the benefits of moving should outweigh the costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tom Cafarella<\/a>, CEO of Ocean City Development based in Massachusetts is a homeowner who\u2019s contemplating moving. Part of what he\u2019s seeking bucks the pandemic trend as he wants to live in an urban environment <\/a>rather than suburban where he can expand his social circle while also advancing his career. The desire has to be balanced with the need for a short work commute so he can spend more time with his family.<\/p>\n He also hopes that being in a city will provide more schooling options for his children. However, he\u2019s weighing these benefits against the inevitable downsides of incurring moving expenses, having to bid farewell to colleagues and neighbors and knowing his kids will also have to part with their friends too.<\/p>\n Sometimes it\u2019s the seemingly smaller details that may prove troublesome when trying to execute a move.<\/p>\n Alex Mastin<\/a>, founder and CEO of Home Grounds was apprehensive about the potential complications of moving during the pandemic, but was ready for a more peaceful lifestyle than what was offered by his Los Angeles home. He and his family were anxious about moving during the tough labor market but decided that Austin, Texas, was the right place for them.<\/p>\n What Mastin didn\u2019t consider were the challenges they\u2019d face moving with four cats and actually encountered real estate agents who frowned upon the felines. Although he described his move as \u201cslightly nightmarish,\u201d Mastin and his family are happily settled in Austin with their cats in a newly-built home.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s considering the best schools for children or access to doggy daycare, there are innumerable factors (many of them likely unique to your personal circumstances) to weigh before casting your lot with a new community. Once you\u2019ve fully assessed your personal situation, here are some more general things to consider.<\/p>\n If some of your reasons to move include employment, affordability, outdoor activities, good schools or healthcare options, we\u2019ve done some research to identify current trends in a few communities that might interest you.<\/p>\n Looking for a new job? Consider:<\/p>\n Want to live somewhere affordable? Consider:<\/p>\n Seeking the great outdoors? Consider:<\/p>\n Looking for the best schools? Consider:<\/p>\n Need strong healthcare access? Consider:<\/p>\n Plan an in-person visit:<\/b> Internet search engine research is one great way to learn about places that may seem like a good fit for your next move, but no amount of finger surfing will replace experiencing your prospective new city in the flesh. Before you commit to a place or even start serious planning, plan an in-person visit and get a feel for it. While you\u2019re there, explore different neighborhoods, visit a coffee shop or restaurant, spend some time in a cultural center in line with your interests and talk to the locals. Imagine yourself actually living there versus merely visiting and reflect on its potential to be the right fit.<\/p>\n Connect with current residents:<\/b> Once you\u2019re back home, continue reaching out to people online who live there, including some recent transplants who can give you some insight into the newcomer experience. Consider creating a list of 5 questions to ask transplants and long-time residents.<\/p>\n Create a pros and cons list:<\/b> Make a list of the pros and cons of what the city offers and compare it to two or three others on your list in addition to where you currently live. Be sure to include pros and cons from each person who will be making the move with you.<\/p>\n Partner with a local agent:<\/b> Once you have\u00a0 narrowed it down to a finalist, get connected with an experienced real estate agent who knows the local market and can steer you in the right direction. HomeLight\u2019s Top Agent Match tool<\/a> can connect you to one of the most knowledgeable and proven-effective agents in the community. The Agent Match service takes just two minutes, and is 100% free. Agents don\u2019t pay us to be listed, so you get the best match to help guide you through the moving process.<\/p>\n As Calvo says, it\u2019s a unique time in real estate that can serve as a good opportunity for people and families to relocate and make a sound financial investment in a new home. Factors like lower taxes, downsizing, affordability and access to the outdoors are definitely fueling some relocation trends. However, given that deciding to move to a new place is one of the most important decisions anyone can make, it\u2019s essential to know what you\u2019re looking for, weigh all the numerous factors and do your research.<\/p>\n Using the tips and tools provided in this post you can move forward with more confidence and be armed with more than just good luck in your search for the best place to live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.<\/p>\n \n ![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/where-should-i-move-to-bike-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Fully vet your reasons for moving<\/h2>\n
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Top moving trends<\/h2>\n
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People are taking advantage of today\u2019s market and moving for personal, business, health and political reasons, or to retire early and work from home in a place with nice weather. Also, there are issues with taxation and inflation in other states \u2014 taxes are high in California and New York, for example.<\/q>\n
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![\"Jose](\"https:\/\/media.homelight.com\/uploads\/agent\/picture\/3452961\/9c465ab6-c79d-4033-9052-55f9d318fae1.jpg?width=121\")
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Inbound migration<\/h3>\n
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Outbound migration<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>How to zero in on the right place for you<\/h2>\n
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Some cities to check out during your search<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Follow these tips before finalizing your decision<\/h2>\n
The bottom line<\/h3>\n
![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Find Your Perfect Real Estate Agent<\/h3>\n