Do you see yourself longing for a small-town vibe lately? Do you desire more space, know your neighbors, and have a calmer affordable way of living? You are not alone, as many people are making the choice recently.
In the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the interest of homebuyers in small towns and rural areas is rapidly increasing. So, if now is the time to bid your city days farewell and relocate to a smaller town, we want to assist you to make that move.
Below are seven (7) tips on relocating to a small town from a big city.
1. Locate the best neighborhood for you
Firstly, no move should ever be done without proper research done in advance. Moving from a big city to a small town is the same; ensure you do proper research ahead of time. Below are a few ways to start searching your new hometown for the best neighborhood for you:
- Read blogs
- Visit the property (physically)
- Watch local videos on YouTube
- Visit the property (virtually) using Google Maps and see the property using the street view perspective.
2. Possibly lower cost of living
This should surprise you, but small towns have a cheaper cost of living in general. The low housing cost is especially a major draw for moving from a large city to a smaller town. When compared, in a similar state in a small town known as Ellensburg, the average sale price of a home is $355,000. While some small towns have a costly housing market, you will majorly pay cheaper rent or be able to purchase more houses for your money. Housing is not the only highly affordable perk, goods, tax, food, gas, and restaurant prices can be lower in small towns.
3. Familiarize with the locals
To assist you to adapt to your new area, interact and familiarize yourself with the locals there. Spending some time in the town you are looking to move to before your actual move is the easiest way to achieve this. While not essentially an option, having a taste of what your new life has to offer in your new town is always the best. Getting the firsthand to feel on what is trending and not in your new town will be best recommended by those actually and currently living there before you.
4. Consider buying a car
If you often commute to the city and rely on public transportation, you will possibly have to change this part of your lifestyle. Public transit in small towns can be less reliable, that’s even if available. So, this might be a perfect time to buy a new vehicle if you don’t already have one.
5. Less traffic, more parking
Those who have driven in a big city understands that the out-of-control flow of traffic and less parking are enough to make you want to leave the city. If you reside in a smaller town, you will have more hours of the day to yourself by avoiding traffic jams, and you won’t even struggle to find parking.
A tip – cyclist or a runner can enjoy not struggling for space among congested roads.
6. More space
Housing in small towns often offers what those living in big cities are in dire need of more space. in thriving cities, outdoor space can be especially almost difficult to find and often comes at a premium price. On the contrary, homes in small towns will possibly come with enough front and/or backyard and may include a porch or deck. However, if your home is more spacious or your outdoor space is large, you should importantly remember that you will spend more time taking care of your home – whether on cleaning, repairing, or tending to your yard.
7. Know the changes
You obviously will encounter lots of changes when moving from a big city to a small one. Ensure you know some of the things you may encounter to avoid any sudden experience after you settle in your new home. These include:
- Wi-Fi may be slower: In general, Wi-Fi in small areas can be slower than in big cities. For those who depend on access to the internet, this might be a major impactful difference. Whether you are a remote worker or depend on the internet to communicate with your friends and family, having Wi-Fi that runs slower will possibly affect your life in one way or the other. Knowing this in advance will help ease you into moving into your new lifestyle.
- Shipping may not be fast: With the help of Amazon Prime, we’ve all gotten used to 2-day shipping or less when making online orders. That can change if you are moving from a city to a small town. Rural areas don’t have the same number of shipments coming and going, which implies that shipping will often take longer. While this might not have an effect on your lifestyle on a daily, it’s worth telling you that since it could impact your move if you plan to ship any of your belongings to your new address.
- Employment may be less available: If the job is why you are moving to a small town, then this point may not be relevant to you. However, for those that are moving and hoping to gain employment in their new town, they importantly need to know that jobs are not as available in bigger cities. To help relieve some of the stress that accompanies moving to a new place without job security, you could first look into jobs posted online in the weeks before your move. If you can visit there before your move, seize this opportunity to arrange in-person interviews.
- Medical specialists may be less in availability:Lots of small towns don’t have medical specialists unlike in large cities. if you are the type who visits the doctor for yearly check-ups you should be fine with this. However, if you or a family member has a medical condition that warrants regular treatment or care, you will need to reconsider your option before you move. Research and ensure that you will have easy access to the necessary facilities to keep a healthy life.
- Grocery and restaurant options may not be too different: Foodies should know that the small-town life may require some adjustment. If your daily lifestyle includes sampling the best food or coffee, you may need to try something new in your small town. Grocery and restaurants options are not as diverse in a small town as it is in any big city. With that, you will surely find some amazing mom-and-pop shops serving your new favorite meal quickly.
FAQ about Moving from a Big City to a Small Town
Is living in a small town better than a big city?
Small towns also often have lesser property taxes, which makes it affordable to own a home. With the entire small, locally-owned shops that are scattered across in small downtowns, you can also pay lesser for consumer goods than you would pay in a major city’s corporate chain.
What is called a small town?
Small towns are defined by the Census as incorporated areas with up to 5,000 residents and big cities have total populations starting from 50,000 or more. Medium-size cities are defined by the Census as between 5,000 to 10,000 people, also increased from 1020 to 2019 in each region except the Northeast.
Why are things affordable in small towns?
Real estate is not the only affordable thing in small towns. Almost everything is cheaper compared to the big city, and the small things line up. Factors like goods and food, insurance rates, property tax, gas prices, and restaurant prices can be lower.
Conclusion
Take advantage of the available space now. Leave that place and ensure you see the whole sights you want to see, eat at every best restaurant in the city, and visit the entire local recommendations. That way, when you relocate to your small town, you won’t have to regret your time in your big city. If you are set to begin your search for movers in your new small town, check our recommended out of state movers.
