Cost of living
Research the cost of living in the area you are moving to. This includes rent/mortgage, utility bills, transportation, food, and other expenses.
If you're moving long-distance, make sure to research the area you're moving to beforehand.
When considering the cost of living in your new location, it's important to research and compare the prices of various essential expenses such as:
Housing: Research the average cost of rent or mortgage payments in the area, and compare it to what you're paying in your current city. This can help you determine if you need to adjust your housing budget accordingly.
Utilities: Check the prices for utilities like water, electricity, gas, and internet services in your new location. This information can help you budget for these expenses.
Transportation: Research the cost of transportation, including public transport and car expenses if you plan to have a car. This includes petrol prices, car insurance, parking fees, and public transport fares.
Food and groceries: Check the prices of food and groceries in the area, including supermarkets and local markets. This can be helpful in planning your food budget.
Other expenses: Other expenses that may vary from place to place include healthcare, insurance, taxes, and entertainment.
Job opportunities
If you're moving without a job already secured, research the job market in your new location. Check out job boards and networking sites to get a sense of what opportunities are available.
Why research job opportunities:
Secure employment: Finding a job in your new location is crucial for securing a stable source of income. Conducting research on the job market in your new city can help you find employment opportunities that match your skills and qualifications.
Competitive advantage: Researching job opportunities can give you a competitive advantage by allowing you to tailor your CV/resume and cover letter to the specific job requirements of the companies you're applying to.
Salary expectations: Researching the job market can also give you an idea of the salary expectations in your new city. This information can help you negotiate better compensation and benefits packages when applying for jobs.
Networking: Conducting research on job opportunities in your new city can also help you network with professionals in your field. You can reach out to potential employers, attend job fairs, and join professional organizations to meet other professionals in your industry.
Here are some tips on how to research job opportunities:
Check online job boards: Websites like Indeed and LinkedIn are great resources for job postings in your new city. You can also sign up for email alerts to get notifications when new job opportunities are posted.
Research companies in your industry: Look for companies in your industry that are located in your new city. Check their websites for job postings or contact them directly to inquire about job openings.
Attend job fairs: Job fairs are a great way to meet employers and learn about job opportunities in your new city. Check online for job fairs in your new city, and prepare your CV/resume and cover letter to bring with you.
Connect with recruiters: Reach out to recruiters who specialize in your industry and location. They can help you discover jobs that match your skills and experience.
Use your network: Let your friends, family, and professional connections know that you're looking for job opportunities in your new city. They may be able to provide you with leads or connect you with potential employers.
Schools and education
If you have children, research the schools in the area and their reputations. Look for schools that have good ratings and programs that fit your children's needs.
By law, all schools in the United Kingdom must have an official Ofsted rating from "Outstanding" to "Inadequate," which is intended to tell parents about the quality of education provided by the school. There are also private schools that aren't regulated by Ofsted, but may still provide a superior level of education. If you already know what kind of school you want your children to attend, you can look up their individual school ratings. The ratings will tell you how well the overall education provided by each institution matches up with national standards, as well as how much support and encouragement students receive from faculty members.
Schools and private preparatory academies in the UK are divided into five categories based on their performance:
-Outstanding (consistently exceeds or exceeds high standards)
-Good (exceeds high standards)
-Satisfactory (meets high standards)
-Weak (meets minimum standards)
-Inadequate (fails to meet minimum standards)
Healthcare
Research the availability and quality of healthcare facilities in your new location, including hospitals, clinics, and doctors.
When you move to a new area, it can be tempting to just move and not think about healthcare. If you're young and healthy, it doesn't seem like an urgent concern. But when you do start having health issues as you grow older, an emergency room visit will be a lot less trivial than it would have been if you'd taken the time to research the healthcare facilities in your area before moving. You'll want to know where the best doctors are practicing, how long they've been there, what they specialize in—and you'll probably want to know more about their offices than just "they're next door."
If you're moving with family members who might have health issues now or in the future (kids and elderly parents), this is particularly important. You don't want to move somewhere that doesn't offer easy access to specialists—especially specialists who specialize in certain conditions that run in your family. If there's a chance that anyone with you is going to need a hospital stay or surgery at any point during your time there, find out beforehand where they'll have the best chances of doing well. And if anyone with you has a chronic condition.
Climate and weather
Research the climate and weather patterns in the area to prepare yourself for the conditions you will be living in.
If you are moving from one city to another within the UK, you might find that the weather can vary greatly between the two. This is especially true if you are moving north or south in the UK. If you have been living in a temperate climate such as London, it might be worth it to prepare yourself for any of the extremes that you will be facing, from the very hot and humid summers of cities like Liverpool to the very cold winters of cities like Newcastle. You might also want to pack for all of the seasons, since some areas can get snow in both winter and summer. This is especially true for the area around Glasgow and Edinburgh, where snow is not uncommon even in July or August.
Safety
Deciding where to live is a big decision, and it's worth taking into account the safety of the area you'll be living in. The UK has a crime rate of about 2.8 crimes per 1000 people, but that number can vary wildly from region to region. If you're moving within the country and will be renting, check out the crime map for England and Wales https://www.police.uk/pu/your-area/). It shows general crime areas by the police districts they fall into (there are roughly 400 of those) and can give you an idea of which parts of your region are safer than others.
One thing that is important to keep in mind with crime rates is that they're based on reported crimes; this is especially relevant if you live in an area where there are lots of tourists or students who don't actually live in the neighborhoods they visit regularly. You'll also want to consider different types of crime and how often they occur in your area before deciding whether or not it's safe enough to move there.
Cultural differences
Research the cultural differences between the city you already live in and your potential new location. This includes customs, traditions, and social norms that may differ from what you are used to.
While you begin a new job in a new city, there are many cultural differences to expect that may be different from where you came from. Although London is the capital of England, it is actually one of the least populated cities in the country. One thing to consider when moving between cities within the UK is that people in cities like London tend to live more urban lives whereas people who live in small towns tend to live more rural lives. For example, if you're moving from a small rural town where you might have had a seven-minute commute to work, you might now find yourself with an hour commute. Also, people who live in big cities tend to be more formal and reserved while those who live in small towns have more of an informal and friendly attitude. For example, when walking down the street people will usually say hello to each other rather than just ignore each other like people who live in big cities do.
Another thing to consider when moving between cities within the UK is that although many things are shared throughout all of Britain's countries, there are some significant differences. For example, some words and phrases will be used differently depending on what part of Britain you're in. The two most prominent examples are football (soccer) and chips (fries). In areas
Recreational activities
When planning to move to a different city in the UK, it is important to do your research and find out what recreational activities are available in the area. This can help you to settle into your new surroundings more easily and make the most of your new home.
One of the first things to look for is parks and green spaces in the area. Many cities in the UK have beautiful parks that are perfect for walking, picnicking, or simply enjoying the natural surroundings. Look for parks that have features that appeal to your interests, such as lakes, wildlife, or sports facilities.
Museums and galleries are also a great way to learn about the history and culture of the area. You can search for museums that specialize in art, science, history, or other subjects that interest you. Many museums and galleries also offer special exhibitions and events, so be sure to check their websites or social media pages for upcoming activities.
Other attractions to consider might include amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, or botanical gardens. These types of attractions are often popular with families and offer a wide range of activities and exhibits.
It's also worth researching local events and festivals that take place throughout the year.
Community and social life
When considering a move to a new city within the UK, it's important to research the local community and social life. This will help you to determine whether the area is a good fit for your lifestyle and interests.
Research local clubs and societies: Look for groups that share your interests, whether it's a sports team, a book club, or a hobby group. Joining a club is a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends.
Check out the local events calendar to see what's happening in the area. There may be festivals, concerts, or other events that interest you.
Research the local nightlife. If you enjoy going out, research the local bars, clubs, and restaurants. Look for areas that are known for their nightlife, or ask locals for recommendations.
Check out the local social media pages .Many cities have active social media pages where locals share information about events, activities, and other community news. Joining these groups can be a great way to stay up-to-date and connect with others in the area.
The above points are some of the areas of life to consider when moving to a different city within the UK. At Joel Removals , we have moved many families across the UK. If you need to have an estimated cost of moving, please fill in our quick Removals quote form and we will be able to give you a moving quote .