r/relocating

Hey all. So I am not looking for input into areas of relocation as we try and leave Tampa FL. We've rule it down to New England, PNW or Michigan (depending on where I can find employment). What I am looking for is feedback on how to actually pull it off. I am getting phone interviews and Zoom interviews but am not landing roles due to the fact that I am not currently in these other places where the jobs are located.

I know it makes the most sense to have a job lined up before taking the leap, but how can I find a job if nobody seems willing to give someone who is currently out of state a serious nod? It's not lack of experience or background, it's logistics and I am having a really REALLY difficult time in overcoming this hurtle.

Curious as to how other people were able to pull off the large move and if they had a a job already lined up and if so how did you make it happen? Did anyone just say screw it, sell what they don't want or need pack up and go? How did it work for you?

My partner and I are moving across the country to California in the next 6–8 weeks.

We’re planning to sell/donate most things and only bring a small set of very sentimental items (less than one bedroom):

* Furniture built by my dad 👼

* A couple plants

* Instruments (guitars, keyboard, etc.)

* Important heirlooms like photo albums etc

Because these items are meaningful, I’m trying to figure out the safest way to get them across the country without damage or loss.

We won’t be driving ourselves since we’ll be flying with our cats. I’ve looked into PODS, but I’m concerned about long transit times and potential damage. I’ve also seen options where you can pay for space on someone else’s moving truck, but I’m a bit nervous.

When I moved from Ohio to NC last year, I hired someone to drive a UHaul and then flew them back, which worked well. I’m open to doing something like that again if anyone has recommendations or knows someone trustworthy.

I’d really appreciate hearing what worked for you or any companies/services you’d recommend. Thank you in advance!

If money wasn’t an issue, where would you go if these things were important to you:

— open-minded progressive (not just liberal/centrist)

— a pretty area you can do outdoorsy things

— good for families

I want to fantasize about where I could go, make friends, and have a nice life, and plan it long term.

I live in a cute rural town that is family friendly and community-minded and has good access to nature but it’s conservative, has no bookstore, lacks diversity, lacks art, and I don’t have “my people” here.

I have a futon, portable AC, metal bed frame (portable), kitchen table and 4 chairs (light not wood), night stand, small wooden drawer, standing lamp, coffee table, one computer chair, clothes, and other small stuff.

Let me know how you all think!

Thanks.

I’m a single, 3 year licensed barber from Austin Texas, and I’m thinking about relocating to San Diego, or anywhere in the California area. Just wandering how the barber scene is out there and if it’s possible to live comfortably.

Have been here in A2/MI for a year now and want to explore some new place. Rent prices seem to be similar and my thought is if I’m paying this much already, I’d like to be closer to water/nature.
Some background about me: early 30’s, single, female, South Asian
I grew up in the south and in very white towns. I’m okay being the only person who looks like me—I just want to make sure the people around me won’t put on a red baseball cap or white hoodie…

Editing to add: I wfh, so I’m not looking for a job in tc

mid 40s male. single no kids. 2 big dogs. I do design, drafting, engineering, and fabrication for high end custom home builders. things like handrails, stairs, pocket doors, fireplaces, gates, cabinetry, furniture, etc. My main hobby is mountain biking. 5 days a week or more. Like, I live to bike and hang out with my dogs, and I ride thousands of miles a year. I also ski, but I care about it less and less and I just want to be warm and not shovel snow and ride my bike. I went to art school and make some art on the side and have traveled the world and lived in NYC, Chicago, Oakland, etc etc, and appreciate arts and culture and live music and diversity and good international food.

for the last 8 years or so I've been living in the rockies in a series of mountain towns. I currently live in a remote, rural, high altitude, high COL ski town of 2000 people in the mountains in Colorado. I've been here two years. I loved it the first 6 months and since then it's just gone downhill. I wake up everyday, and as soon as I'm conscious enough to have a thought, that thought is: "I don't want to fucking live here anymore."

I have a great job and a sweet place to live and I can mountain bike out of my driveway, but...I've been here two years and haven't made a single friend, haven't had a date in a year and a half, and there's literally no one else to meet. FWIW this is not a problem ive had in other places. I've already joined all the things and volunteered and everything else.

Summers are amazing but the winters are way too long and way too cold (often the coldest in the contiguous US). The food is awful, there's no good coffee shop, the bike shops here are awful, there's no healthcare. Basic things like the dentist or a mechanic or healthcare or seeing live bands other than Grateful Dead cover bands requires driving about 3 hours each way.

I hate to give up the mountain biking access and the peace and quiet and lack of crime and traffic, etc, but it's no longer worth it to me. I want out of here.

Want to move somewhere with:

• real mountain biking (rocky, expert level, preferably on mountains or in the desert, not across a prairie or on family bike paths)
• dog friendly
• strong, welcoming, friendly, accepting community
• arts and culture and live music
• good food
• good coffee shop(s)
• people to date
• bonus points if winters are mild and I can bike year round.
• jobs in my field. can also do related work, doesn't specifically have to be high end residential.

FWIW, my family is in upstate SC, so Asheville/Brevard is an obvious choice.

my husband and I are born and raised in Austin, Texas and are ready to get TF out of here. I love Austin and our community, but we've just done the damn thing here and are desperate for new energy, new air, and essentially, new streets that we don't know where they end. we're both 28 and have 3 daughters (2, 4, 7). we love to be outdoors, and my husband and oldest daughter love the snow. (I am partial to the beach, but if I can find some great fresh water spots, that will do for me) we can get down w the "granola" life, and I tend to lean a little "woo woo". we love music, art, museums, fitness, etc. and the quality of schools is really important. (I am open to "charter" or partial home-schooling, but mamas gotta work some too)

-I want a town that has true community. we've lived in a big city, and while the neighborhood we're in is a great community within itself, the city just feels like it stretches forever.

-I would love a solid downtown. somewhere we can walk and get dinner or shops or dessert or live music. we aren't hitting the clubs but can still find entertainment.

- ample trails!!! lots of hiking, stroller walks, and bike rides.

-kind of linking the last two, but I like to keep fit: strength classes, yoga, boxing etc. I don't need places that specialize in just those things, but definitely somewhere I could get a solid sweat on. even like a local YMCA/rec center. (childcare available is a MAJOR BONUS)

-still have access to grocery stores and things without feeling like you're living between highways. (idk if co is like that, but Austin definitely is)

-and of course, good schools. my daughter is in a 504 program that has been super helpful and continuing that is really important to us.

right now, we're feeling strongly towards ARVADA. does this align with what was listed above (or at least most)?

I've scoured the internet for info, but there's nothing like true recs from boots on the ground.

this is where my brain dump ends. if you've made it this far, thank you so much.

open to any and all suggestions. much love!

I lived in Oregon for about 14 years before moving to Georgia a few years ago to reconnect with my mom. Long story short but I hate it here. I don’t like the weather, I don’t fit in well with the culture, and I miss my other family and friends.

I’m trying to figure out the order of how I should do things. I know I need to save a lot first but that’s as far as I am. Should I find a job or an apartment first? How do I get a job from the other side of the country?

And finally, am I being an idiot trying to do this? Honestly, cost wise, Im scared I won’t make enough to survive. But I’m just so miserable here in Georgia and Oregon is home to me. I’d be grateful for any and all advice.

I live in the suburbs nm but I want to move out because of lack of opportunities in my career I work in tech. I really want to start over and something new, I was thinking maybe AZ, TX, OH or OK.

Hi everyone, my boyfriend and I (late 30s, early 40s) currently live in California but have been planning to leave this state for some time. The question we’re struggling with is where?
We both enjoy colder climates so southern states would be a struggle for us because of how hot and humid it can get. We don’t mind snow here and there but would prefer not getting months of snow and ice. I would like to avoid hurricane and tornado prone states.
I have a BA in Sociology and over 11 years with the State of California in data analytics. My bf was a small business owner for 10 years before he closed down his business and is currently looking for work.
I am interested in starting a homestead of sorts so I can grow my own crops wherever I move next. We don’t mind small town or being away from big cities and people.

I have watched YouTube videos and read google articles. There’s so much conflicting information about different states so I wanted to get perspective from people that have suggestions or input. Thanks!

We’re seriously considering a move from the Austin suburbs back to the Bay Area and would love input from anyone who’s made a similar long-distance move, especially with a young kid.

The situation: married couple in our mid-30s, both work in tech and are fully remote, with a new baby. We’re settled in the Austin area — recently bought a house here — but with our first kid, being close to family has become a much bigger priority. One side of the family is in the Bay Area, the other in SoCal, so moving back to California would put us much closer to support on both sides. Income-wise we’d be fine either place; this is more about whether the move itself is the right call and how to do it well.

A few things we’re trying to figure out:

•	For those who relocated to be near family after having a kid — did it actually deliver day to day, or did the move’s downsides (cost, logistics, leaving an established life) overshadow it?  
•	We’re considering renting for a year or two in the Bay before buying, to feel out neighborhoods and commutes before committing. Worth it, or better to just buy and settle in once?  
•	We own a few rental properties (some in Texas, one in California) that we currently self-manage. For anyone who’s moved away from properties they managed themselves — how painful was it remotely, and did you end up switching to a property manager?  
•	How did you handle the timing — selling/buying, moving with an infant, the gap between leaving and being settled?  
•	If you made a similar move, would you do it again?

Especially interested in hearing from families who relocated after their first child. Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

I’m in a pretty fortunate position overall — stable remote job in the travel industry, decent income, and a lot of flexibility. But I’ve been living in Fargo, ND for a while now and I’m getting really antsy for a change of scenery and pace of life.

One of my biggest priorities is being closer to a major airport since I love traveling, and I’m also realizing I’m very, very over long brutal winters. I can tell it affects my mood more than I want to admit…

The Twin Cities have been high on my list because it’d be practical: affordable(ish), good summers, familiar environment, and closer to my existing network. But I’m hesitant as the whole point was to escape the cold.

Oregon also really appeals to me aesthetically and lifestyle-wise, but the cost of living makes me uneasy, and I’m unsure how I’d handle the gray/dreary winters long term since I already deal with seasonal depression. I’ve visited Seattle at 17 years old and didn’t especially feel a connection if that helps.

Lately I keep coming back to North Carolina — especially Durham. The idea of milder winters, more sunshine, access to both mountains and beaches sounds appealing. I’ve lived in humid climates before so humidity itself doesn’t scare me. On paper, it sounds perfect and the laid back feel I prefer with access to nature.

I’m in my early 30s, single, remote worker, making just under $70k, and trying to figure out where I could realistically build a happy life.

So I guess my question is:
Does North Carolina — Durham specifically — feel like a good place to “start fresh” in your 30s as a remote worker? Or would I be giving up a lot by leaving the Midwest.

I’m planning to visit both Oregon and NC before making any decisions, but I’d really love to hear honest experiences from people who’ve made similar moves.

Trying to make this feel exciting instead of overwhelming 😅

I am able to work fully remote and make around $165k a year. We currently live in Idaho and don't like it here due to politics, desert climate, and poor educational and healthcare infrastructure. We have 3 kids under 9 and want to live somewhere where they can have good education as well as make friends with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

I grew up in Oregon and my wife has visited and we love the nature and weather there, however I know there has been some decline in the past 5-10 years. We also love the ocean and would like to be 1-2 hours from the ocean, but that isn't a dealbreaker. We are currently looking at relocating to Oregon or Washington (as we know the area) but are also considering New England due to the strong education, great nature, and diversity. It also has major hubs for job security.

I have also considered the Research Triangle area of North Carolina as I know the economy is growing fast there and it is also a major hub. We like the nature there but understand the education may not be as strong and politics may be similar to Idaho.

What are your recommendations?

23 year old male, with $30,000 in savings, was going to school but my family’s moving out of the country. My grandmother is in her last stages of Alzheimer’s so my family secured a location in her home country to reside at for a couple of years.

They get a lump sum every year without employment so they’re not necessarily worried about finances. Neither am I as a result of this, as the savings altogether is a lot more. But because of this I’ve never really bothered to grow my credit which may have bitten me in the ass.

The degree I was aiming for wasn’t financially viable, it was just supposed to be fulfilling. I have 2 more years to complete it but the sudden shift puts me in a pickle. I rather put my career on pause and find a place to move to than find a roommate in NYC especially because my family wants me to move some of the furniture to this future location.

I also own a cat which complicates things.

About me:

-23 year old male
-30k in savings
-No Credit
-Looking for a place that’s 1366 a month or less.
—-

Am I completely screwed? I’m not willing to move out of the U.S. Worst case scenario I’ll just stay homeless or something, I don’t really have any big aspirations for myself. I’ve never really had a job either, my family owned a business in NYC but I worked there off the books. The business also ruined their credit as my mother’s brother likely committed fraud and that’s an ongoing issue they’re trying to resolve. Not that it really mattered, at the beginning of the year, my family gets a ridiculous sum of money due to a lawsuit we won. About 200k a year (hence why I said finances aren’t really a worry).
—-

Any advice? I feel stuck. Been searching since April and places are looking for 2.5x the rent in states where the minimum wage is significantly less than that. I feel insane.

I would love some ideas about where to move. I currently live in Texas and I’ve never really wanted to stay here. I would love to find a better fit for me.

I’d like:

-somewhere with good places to hike, or even just a lot of trees

-somewhere that’s not terribly hot in the summer—I’ve never lived in a very cold winter place, but I’m willing to try it!

-liberal, or at least a lot more than Texas

-to not need my car very much

-decent rental market, I won’t commit to buying any time soon, or maybe ever

-ethnic diversity

Is there any state you’d recommend? Specific cities in the recommended states would be great too.

These are my own ideas so far, just based on what I liked when visiting, but they don’t check all my boxes:

-Anchorage, AK

-Seattle, WA

-Denver, CO

-various cities in TN

I’m going to make a list of the top 3 places that I might enjoy living in, and go try them out for a couple months each.

***Thanks for the ideas! I have some research to do!***

Hi everyone. My family is wanting to move. We live in Colorado and its becoming New California and we just want out. Its expensive, everything is just too expensive. 4-500k for a run down 1940s house on 1/5 of an acre expensive. $8 for a gallon of milk... you get it.

So we are wanting to move. We keep coming back to WV it seems beautiful, its very green, there's trees everywhere (gotta be wealthy to own trees in Colorado), land and housing seems quite cheap. So its very appealing.

We are wanting to buy 20-40 acres with a house or just building a house, shop,barn. Buy some cows, couple donkeys, chickens, and live off the land as much as possible. I started in the oilfield for about a decade, I currently drive a semi part time, and have my own very small machining, welding, and fabricating company. (Im the only employee), Im mechanically inclined, and honestly am willing to help my neighbors however I can, and can and am willing to learn almost anything.

I made the mistake of showing my wife the documentary, "The wild and wonderful Whites of WV" and now she's afraid to live there. Haha I told her every state has people like that which is true. Ours is Clifton.

Don't worry I dont care for politics and dont look to bring anything but my tools and family, and dont want to change any states policies. We keep to ourselves 99% of the time.

Now that all said, I'd like to know yalls take on WV.

Is it welcoming to outsiders?

Would I be able to find gainful employment there even if part time to fill the gaps in bills?

What are the more prevalent Jobs markets there?

Does anyone here raise livestock there?

Is it really humid there? ( I grew up just south of New Orleans and can NOT stand humidity these days)

What all is involved in growing hay for cows/goats/horses there? Also what's the go to for hay, we have tall fescue here.

Where should we avoid? IE North Phillie.

Is there an actual sense of small town community there?

What's the weather like? How harsh are the winters? How hot are the summers? Is there natural gas infrastructure or is everything there propane tanks or wood stove heat?

How much are utilities?

Is there IRC codes for all counties or is it build whatever you want?

Any and all info helps, thanks in advance.

I have a guaranteed job in all locations. I am a 25F and want a lively young place to live with people in my same age range. What would be the best option of the 3? Any downsides?

My fiancée and I are both originally from Dallas and both of our families are still there. We moved to Nashville about 3 years ago for a change of pace, new scenery, and just something different for a while.

We’ve really enjoyed parts of it, but as time goes on, we’re starting to feel the distance more. We miss a lot of family events, make frequent trips back for holidays/birthdays, and are realizing we probably want to be closer long term as our parents get older.

At the same time, living in TN made us realize how much we value scenery, greenery, and access to outdoors. The hard part is that while we miss family a lot, neither of us really feels excited about moving back to Dallas specifically.

Right now we’re mainly considering Fort Worth or Austin. Fort Worth seems like it could be a good middle ground while Austin obviously checks more of the lifestyle/outdoors boxes, but puts us a bit farther from family.

I think the biggest thing we’re struggling with right now is balancing lifestyle/preferences with wanting to be closer to family. Curious if anyone else has gone through something similar and how you ultimately thought about it or made peace with the tradeoff.

For context, we both work remotely, would likely rent for at least the first year wherever we move, and kids are still a few years off.

I’m graduating in less than a year and currently live in Indiana, where I’m seeking a change. However, I have a list of seemingly impossible requirements: a beach, scenic beauty similar to Oregon, affordability (college graduates don’t typically earn high salaries initially), diversity, and a festive town with Christmas and food festivals, among other events. I believe age is also important here, as I’m only 21. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’m willing to do the research.