If you have always lived in the country, moving to a town like Fergus Falls, Battle Lake or Ottertail can be a little daunting. We’ve provided a few tips on things to think through and plan before your big move to town.
Moving from a rural area to town can be an intimidating proposition. Here are a few tips to help make your move as painless as possible.
🧐 Research before you move
It’s important to understand the culture you’re joining. Do research online and find out about school systems, neighborhoods, parking, weather, public transportation, and laws that are native to that area. Spend as much time in the town as you can before moving and connect with people who live there. Ask their experiences regarding living in town.
📝 Have a plan
There are a lot of steps to go through before you start packing the moving truck. Find housing before you leave, or at least know where you’ll stay while you look for a home. Never sign a lease on a home or apartment that you haven’t seen. If you can’t get there, find a friend or an employer to check for you. Have a job waiting for you, or if that’s not possible, know what you’ll do for money in the first few weeks of living there. Find out where to go for your drivers license ahead of time.
👥 Get involved
Meeting people in a big city can be daunting. Don’t expect the neighbors to knock your door down with a casserole when you arrive: living in town is a little more anonymous than country living. Take the initiative. If there are things you liked to before, find ways to do those things in town. Try new things. Volunteer. Towns offer so many opportunities to engage other people, so find what you like.
👛 Mind your wallet
With expanded opportunities also comes more expenses. While you may find better prices at big box stores, the sheer variety of shopping opportunities may tempt you to spend more. There are also safety considerations. Keep your car and house doors locked.
Towns provide so many great amenities, from access to products and services to enhanced social opportunities. Explore your new town and all it has to offer.
Your real estate agent is the best source of information about the local community and real estate topics. Call Tom Verhelst at 218-205-2604 | Karen Zell at 218-731-6836 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.