Whether it is the desire to be closer to family, happier at work, or for a change in scenery, you’ve realized that a move may be in the near future.  Before you even pack a box, there are quite a few things to consider.  Preparing yourself mentally for a move will help you to leap over the inevitable hurdles that will occur when uprooting your family, home, and life.

Here are a few things you can begin to do as soon as you start to consider a possible move.

• Timing
  • If you have children, you may want to consider the school year.  Sometimes it is easiest for children to have closure when they can complete the school year.  It is also more challenging to introduce a child to a new learning environment in the middle of a school year.
  • Moving in a snowstorm might prove to be impossible. Timing your move for the months with consistently better weather is a smart idea.
• Budget
  • The cost of moving is high no matter how you slice it.  However, you can choose to pack and unpack the moving truck on your own or hire someone else to do all the heavy lifting.  Begin now to determine which route you can afford.
  • What is the cost of living in the new place you are considering?  Will it be significantly higher or lower?  Will your potential new salary cover expenses?
• Home
  • If you own a home currently, then you will need to start looking at your home through the eyes of potential buyers.  Does it have things that need fixing/replacing?  How much will you need to sell it for?  Is renting out your house a good option?
  • Will you try to sell it yourself?  Or will you be contacting a realtor?  Shop around for the best rates now.
• Career
  • It is not advisable to make a move without the promise of income in your new home.  Unless you are transferring from your current employer, you will need to maker sure that there are employment options in the future.  Begin checking classifieds and networking through LinkedIn or other social networking sites.
• Education
  • One of the most important considerations is your child(ren)’s education.  When looking at new neighborhoods, be sure to get recommendations and reviews of the school system.
  • How big is the school?  What opportunities exist?  What is the student/teacher ratio?

When you are ready to move, be sure to check out ListPlanIt‘s List of Steps to Prepare for a Move and List of Things to Remember When Planning for a Move. Members to ListPlanIt will find the lists they need to plan for a move in Moving.  Not yet a member?  Join today and get organized to make the transition less stressful.

Have you moved recently? What were some things that you did before the move to help you prepare? What things do you wish you had done? Tell us in the comments below.