5 Essential Factors to Choosing Your Best Place to Live

One of the great things about America, is that you can go anywhere in the nation and be presented with a completely different way of living. The lush forests of northern Washington compared to the dry desert of New Mexico, the small town life of Alaska versus the urban collaboration of New York, the fresh, clean cuisine of California as opposed to the rich, comfort food of Alabama. Everywhere you look, there are options.

So how do you choose? Personally, I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to live in one place for a lengthy amount of time; I want to see and do too much. However, if you’re thinking of making a move, it’s important to consider these factors:

1.) Rural vs. Urban. Are you a small town boy or a big city girl? Knowing which you prefer could help narrow it down. Of course, you don’t have to choose one or the other. In New York, you can live inside the city, giving you access to the most iconic of city lives, or you could choose to live further out into the suburbs, where rural life is just as slow as your typically farmland in Nebraska.

2.) Weather. I’m a dry, cold weather girl through and through. Once it gets above 74, I start to get very uncomfortable. And as much as you think weather may not be an issue (I work inside all day), it still has a great impact on your mood. If you weren’t a fan of the rain, for example, Seattle wouldn’t be a great pick for you. Of course it’s not like you’re going to be standing outside in the rain all day, but going for a while without feeling the sun shine down on you could get you down a little bit.

3.) Financial limitations. Moving from Montana to New York is a challenge. The minimum wage in Montana is much lower than that of New York, and even though the cost of living is also cheaper, it took forever to save what could be reasonable amount to make the trip. Moving from New York to Montana, however, is not near as difficult (financially speaking). What you need in a home (3 bedrooms, close to a good school, etc.) and what price you can get that for varies considerably from state to state.

4.) Recreational Opportunities. If you love to sail and surf, city life in central USA might cripple you. On the other hand, if you love the cultural nightlife of a bustling city, the outdoors might not be as important to you. Of course, like other examples, you don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other. California or New York, for example have both of these things.

5.) Employement Opportunities. Some individuals can find a job in their field no matter where they live. A nurse, for example, can find work just about anywhere in the country. A crab fisherman, however, is pretty limited. Make sure that wherever you narrow it down to, you’ll be able to find work somewhere in your field fairly quickly.

Or heck, maybe just take a leap and go for it. You never know, a new and better job might be waiting for you when you get there.