Moving somewhere new—whether it’s for your career or just because you want to try something different—is an exciting but also intimidating opportunity. The best way to feel more comfortable before relocating to a new city is by researching the new home.
In this guide, we’ll offer tips on getting a better feel and idea for a new city before you move there.
Ask Local Friends or Coworkers
The best resources for researching a new city before relocating will always be the current locals and those that used to live there. If you have any friends or relatives from the area you’re heading to, even if they’re from another town close by, ask them what the crucial things are to know about the area.
If you’re relocating for work to a new office, seek out some coworkers currently there for advice about the city and relocating. First-hand accounts and experiences will always be more enlightening than any city guide.
Study the Neighborhoods
Every city and town has unique neighborhoods with distinctive characteristics. Before you move, you’ll want to gather information about these neighborhoods to find the one that best fits what you’re looking for in a place to live.
What you should research in a neighborhood includes:
- Housing prices
- Attractions and things to do
- Parks and green space
- Restaurants
- Public transportation
- Schools
Utilize Social Media
Even if you don’t use social media, it’s an excellent resource for learning more about a city and its residents. There are almost always local city groups and pages on Facebook where locals gather to talk about local events and news.
On Instagram and Twitter, look for local city hashtags to see what residents are talking about or what they think about living in certain areas. At the very least, you should be able to find some good restaurant recommendations!
Read the Local Paper
If you want to know more about the community, the best resource is still the daily newspaper of record for the town. Consider getting an online subscription to local dailies and magazines that talk about the issues and stories of the community.
Go through the archives to get a feel for the biggest stories in the area over the past couple of years so that you can catch up quickly when you become a local yourself.
See the Place for Yourself
Why not take a minivacation to your future home and do some on-the-ground reconnaissance yourself? We have plenty of affordable rental units like short-term furnished apartments in San Antonio. You can also look at our options for El Paso and Austin, Texas, and plenty more!
A quick visit before relocating allows you to get a feel for the area and see if it fits what you’re looking for. You can even tour a few apartments or houses to get a head start on a permanent residence.