Quicklinks:
- Step One
Relocating
Step 2: Immerse Yourself
You should now have three to four places targeted. If you have more than this, go back to step 1. You need to do more research. You'll be surprised at how many places get eliminated if you look with a critical eye and keep referring back to your criteria.
Review your three or four targeted locations against your criteria. Are they missing the bar but staying on your list because you imagine a shangra-la that doesn't align with the data? Be brutally honest.
When you feel comfortable with your list, it's time to immerse yourself as quickly and as fully as possible, long-distance.
Step 2: Immerse yourself
- Subscribe to the local newspapers. It's best if you subscribe for at least 3 months so you can get a feel for the area, what's happening, read the police blotter and watch the local news, weather and politics
- Read the newspapers with an eye to your criteria. If you're concerned about housing prices, check out the real estate section. If you're going to need to find a job, look at the classifieds.
- Contact the local chamber of commerce or a realtor in the area and request a "Relocation Package" -- now keep in mind that this package is only going to tell you what the city has to offer, how wonderful it is to live there and how lucky you would be to call it home. It's a marketing package, bottom line, but if you know this, you can still get some good data to add to your collection.
My hope is that after reading the newspapers for several months, you'll be able to narrow down your choices to two spots. This is where your search gets more expensive. You've got to see for yourself. By plane, train or automobile, you've got to get there.
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