About 13% of the American population moves every year. This includes renters and homeowners, and there are many reasons why people move.
Are you wondering if it’s time for you to move out of your home? If you’re a homeowner, you have a lot more at stake because you have to sell your house and buy a new property. That’s a long, stressful process.
How do you know if it’s time to pack up and move? Keep reading to learn the top reasons why it’s time to move.
1. It’s Time for a New Job
Many workers woke up during the pandemic and realized how much they dislike their jobs. They might not make enough money to make ends meet. Many realized that the job wasn’t a good fit for them.
If it’s time to find a new job, you should be prepared to move to get a great job in a new location.
Another sign that it’s time to get a new job and move is because of the commute. In 2019, the average commute was about 27 minutes each way. Workers realized that they could do so much more during the pandemic because they didn’t have to commute.
You might find yourself in a situation where you don’t want to lose an hour a day commuting to and from work. You could move to find yourself closer to work.
2. You Have a New Relationship Status
Your relationship status certainly changes your living situation. For people that went through a breakup, staying in your home often serves as a painful reminder of the relationship.
If you’re entering a new relationship, you’re likely to find yourself spending less time at home. Or your new significant other is spending more time at your place.
No matter your circumstances, a relationship change is often a signal that it’s time to move on from your home.
3. You’re Late on Mortgage Payments
There are financial reasons as to why it might be time to move from your home. You might find yourself barely able to make ends meet each month.
That’s often a sign that you’re paying too much for your home. You could get a second job to make ends meet and save money.
If you’re already late on mortgage payments, you should certainly consider moving. Your best option is to sell your home and find a less expensive place to live. Find out more about selling your home fast.
4. You Want Better Schools for Your Kids
Where you live determines your school district, unless you want to pay thousands of dollars for private school each year. Multiply the tuition bill by the number of kids you have, and it’s a huge bill to pay.
You’re much better off changing school districts. Sell your home and find a way to move into your desired school district.
5. You No Longer Feel Safe
Places change over time. You might have picked up a downtown condo that was in the best location 10 years ago. Over time, real estate prices shot up, and crime went up along with it.
You deserve to feel safe and secure in and around your home. If you don’t feel safe in your neighborhood, it’s a sure sign to move out.
Before you decide, you should check the crime statistics in your area. Many cities have crime maps available online.
Crime maps are useful tools to help you understand the actual crimes that happen in your neighborhood. You should always use them when moving to a new place as well. You don’t want to find yourself in the same situation.
6. Your Home Is Too Big or Too Small
Your home should be a place that you grow into over a long period of time. You may reach a point where your home becomes too big or too small for your needs.
A small yet growing family will outgrow a home pretty easily.
It’s common for people to find that it’s harder to keep up with home maintenance as you get older. When the kids go off to college, and you have an empty nest, it’s a good time to sell your house and downsize.
7. Your Current Location Is Missing Something
Some cities have everything you need. Others, not so much. It’s not that where you live is bad; it’s just not meeting your needs.
If you feel like you can do so much more in the right location, then that’s a sign that it’s time to move.
Write down the things that are most important to you. For instance, if you love hiking and standup paddle, you should make sure those things are easily accessible.
8. You Have Family to Care For
Most people live close to where they grew up. If you’re one of the few who decided to live far from family, you might call time on your adventures and move back home.
Many reasons drive the decision for people with aging parents to be so far away and know that they’re getting older. They might need help with things like going to appointments.
This is an opportunity to change locations and help care for your loved ones. It’s also a chance to spend time with them.
Is It Time for You to Move Out?
No one can say for sure if it’s time for you to move out of your home. You are the only person who can make that decision.
There are good reasons why it’s time to move. You could have financial reasons, personal reasons, or a combination of the two. The considerations listed here give you some ways to tell if your time is up in your home.
Take your time and decide what your next move is. If you need some financial advice to make your decision, check out the Family & Money section of this site.