by Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Do You Need More Space?
Growing families tend to increase in many directions, not just numbers. As your little ones turn into tweens and teens, not only do they get bigger, the stuff they need expands--a pair of soccer cleats and some shin guards turns into a bag of balls, shoes for every surface and a goal in the side yard. If your children play hockey or football, all that gear needs its own space--preferably nearby the laundry. And, you've likely found that spending all your free time in the family room streaming the most popular teenage thing on Netflix is not always what you enjoy, and you would favor a grown-up space where you can control the remote.
Are You Empty Nesting?
When the kids have moved out, and you are roving around in a sizable empty house that you've got to care for, it's time to give thought to downsizing--free up your money and your time with a smaller house or even a condo. Anymore, even small towns have over-55 communities that are like being on vacation all the time, where you own your house but have your upkeep provided, dining, social and fitness activities and the option to move into managed care when the time comes.
Are There Beneficial Opportunities Somewhere Else?
Economic recoveries are not all the same, and so a relocation to a city with more and better opportunities could make financial sense. While uprooting your family is difficult, the gains of a better job with higher wage far outweigh the emotional turbulence of a move. If your career is in good shape but the cost of living in your town or neighborhood is outrageous, a local move is a possibility. In many communities, higher real estate prices translate into bigger stickers everywhere from the grocery to the electrician, and property re-evaluations seldom lead to lower taxes.
Are You Safe and Secure in Your Home?
The reality is there are lots of formerly upscale subdivisions that have suffered from lots of foreclosures, and homes have been turned into rentals at best or abandoned in the worst-case scenario. If this characterizes your neighborhood, and you're upset about the transient turn, it might be time to move to a different residence. There is nothing more vital than your family's safety, and a change would give everyone peace of mind.
Would You Like to Be Closer to Family?
If you find yourself heading out to visit family each vacation, maybe a move to where the family is would be something to think about. Especially if your family is close-knit or you want your parents to have bigger role in your children's lives, a move closer to home gives you an ongoing relationship rather than one that is infrequent. You will get to vacation in different places, and your kids will view more of the world than the area where you grew up, charming though it may be.
Just Want Different Scenery?
This is where the seven-year itch comes in. Sometimes, you just want a new place to call home. Your tastes change, your hobbies change, and one day you get up and decide you want a rose garden or an outdoor kitchen or you want to have a crafting room. It's all about living your dream, and if that means a new house, a new town or a new part of the country, go for it. Americans are always on the move, so if that is appealing to you then get a realtor and a professional mover in Atlanta and scratch the itch.
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