contributed by Seth Murphy


Moving to a small town from a big city can seem appealing for various reasons. To be honest, who wouldn’t want cheaper costs of living, affordable housing, and greater personal space right? Making such a big move is never easy, but, following the steps in this article will help you find the town that best suits your personal and professional needs.

Learn About the Cost of Living

The only way to make an accurate budget is to learn about the cost of living in your new town. While you can expect groceries to be lower priced and housing to be affordable, each town is different and should be evaluated individually. As reported by Capital One, prominent expenses to include are the cost of groceries, healthcare, transportation, and housing.

If you’ve secured a job before the move, start comparing your salary with the total expenses to calculate the best cost-effective options. Living in a low-cost town will also increase your total disposable income.

However, if you are currently in the market for a job, it’s best to save up to three months of costs before making the move.

Research Job Opportunities or Start a Business

Depending on the job market there will always be certain in-demand positions that increase the chances of getting hired and earning a higher salary. Take the time to learn about the current job market of various prominent towns and shortlist the ones which are a good fit. In addition to the current demand, take a deeper dive to learn about the position’s long-term growth potential.

Starting a niche business can also be a viable option. By creating a product/service catering to an underserved market in the town you can set the business up for success. This can include starting a marketing business, eco-landscaping services, etc. Creating a business plan will be one of the prominent steps toward starting the business and should include important details regarding the business’ mission, product offerings, and funding sources.

It’s crucial that you determine how you’ll structure your business as this will impact your liability and how you’ll pay taxes. Many new business owners choose to set themselves up as an LLC to limit liability and gain flexibility and tax benefits. You can file a cheap LLC online but carefully weigh reviews before choosing a formation service.

Reach Out to Connections

Whether it be college friends, colleagues, former bosses, or family, reach out to as many people you know who live in the town and learn all there is about your next home. If needed, leverage your alumni network to connect with working professionals and learn about the job market and expectations.

The best way to network would be to set up in-person meetings. If that’s not possible, schedule video calls. If you plan to find a job after the move, it’s best to actively connect with your network in the months leading up to the relocation. Creating a local network before the move will help you be better prepared and make the transition easier.

Take Steps to Save

As reported by Moving.com depending on the distance of the move you can expect to spend between $1,000-$5,000M. This expense can cut into your savings and make the relocation process difficult. Here are a few ways to keep costs in check while moving:

• Live with Family or Friends: Rather than securing housing before the move, make arrangements for living with a friend or family for at least a week. This will provide ample time to learn about affordable neighborhoods in the town.

• Work with a Realtor: While living locally, consider working with a skilled realtor from KBT Realty Group who can undertake the responsibility of the house-hunting process and provide you with options that fit your requirements. This will reduce the time it takes to find a home and make the final move.

• Change Spending Habits: In the months leading up to the move, curb your spending to focus only on the essentials. This will help save up more, making it easier to cover costs.

When moving to a small town experiencing a lifestyle change is inevitable. The key to a smooth transition is to be prepared, create a local network, and have a financial plan to cover costs at least for the first three months. It’s also crucial to research job opportunities or business ideas if you want to open your own business.