A shorter commute. Fewer costs for transportation. More time to kick back. You may have plenty of reasons to consider relocating your home closer to your work. While the mere prospect might fill you with glee, you should know that there are several factors involved with this decision. For many people, moving closer to work is a great idea. You just have to make sure that it’s the right choice for you right now. Here are a few signs you are ready to pack some boxes.
You Spend Too Much Time in Traffic
If you tire of spending your precious time on the road, you’re not alone. The Census Bureau reports that the average American spends about 58 minutes commuting each day. Almost an hour of your time every day — stuck in traffic, grumbling about others’ driving habits — is not exactly good for your mood or your sense of work-life balance. Moving your home closer to your work location could shave half of your drive, or even more. It could also save you hundreds per year on gas, plus the wear and tear on your car. You might even be able to cut back on your insurance costs.
You’re Committed to Your Job
Before you invest the time, money, and effort to move closer to your workplace, you should be sure that you plan to stay in the job. The average American spends a bit less than four years in one job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but your situation may be an outlier. Once you find a job that you could see yourself staying in for years, even decades, relocating makes more sense. Evaluate your prospects at your workplace and the possibility of finding other jobs in the area if you decide to leave.
You Can Find the Amenities You Need Closer to Work
No matter how you live, you’re going to need amenities near your home. For some people, that might be fine dining, shopping, and entertainment. For others, it could include good schools, hospitals, and plenty of neighbors. Make a list of the amenities you regularly use near your current home and do some research for similar options near your workplace. Look at traffic patterns and the layout of the area before you choose a neighborhood. No one wants to shave off a long commute only to spend all that time and more trying to get to the gym each day.
You Can Afford Housing in Your Target Location
For most people, the primary reason behind a long commute between home and work is the cost of housing, so you will need to factor that into your decision. Urban areas tend to cost more than the suburbs, which usually charge more for housing than rural areas. Before you start dreaming of the extra time you’ll have, do some research into the cost of housing closer to work. Pay attention to trends in housing costs in the area so you don’t get shocked by a sudden rise in rent or property taxes the year after.
You Can Handle the Transition
Whether you are a single person with few possessions or have a family with several young children, moving is a big transition. You need to find housing, start and stop a bunch of services, change your address everywhere, prepare everyone else in the household, and complete the actual step of moving into your new home. When you hire local moving services, you can remove much of the physical stress of loading and unloading. Some services will even pack up your home for an additional fee. If you think you can handle a stressful month or two in exchange for years of greater convenience, moving might be the most practical choice.
Moving closer to work seems like the ideal, and for many people, it is. Pay attention to these signs and make sure you consider all the factors involved in relocating. You’ll be able to make an educated decision about your plans.
Author bio: Timothy Campbell is the Chief Vision Officer of Marketing Strategy at Dearman Moving & Storage Company. With a deep-rooted history in the business since 1985, he possesses comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the moving industry. Campbell has keen insight into customer needs and decision-making processes related to moving. https://moving.tips/bonus-tips-and-tricks/move-closer-work/