How to Research a New Town Before You Move (2025 update)

Thorough research makes relocation less stressful. Start with city and county websites, school-rating services, real-estate listings and cost-of-living calculators. Verify job prospects, commute times and healthcare access. Check crime data and climate risks. Visit neighborhoods at different times, involve your family, and use a priority checklist to compare tradeoffs before deciding.

Relocating is a major life decision whether you're moving across town or across the country. Researching your destination reduces stress, uncovers hidden costs and helps your family adjust faster.

Why research matters

Housing cost alone doesn't tell the whole story. Schools, healthcare access, commute times, job markets, and climate risks shape daily life. Investing time up front helps you choose a place that fits your finances and lifestyle and avoids surprises after the move.

Where to start online

• Visit the city or county official website for local services, planning documents and contact information. These sites often list school districts, utilities and public transit.

• Check school-rating sites such as GreatSchools and Niche for test scores, parent reviews and enrollment data. For a fuller picture, contact the local school district directly.

• Use real-estate platforms (Zillow, Redfin) to compare home prices, rental listings and recent sales. Look at price trends and how long homes stay on the market.

• Compare everyday costs with cost-of-living tools (Numbeo, other calculators) to estimate groceries, utilities and transportation expenses.

• Search local chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus for relocation guides, business directories and event calendars.

Check jobs, commute and healthcare

Look up local employers and job postings to assess employment opportunities in your field. Use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for unemployment and industry trends. Map commutes at various times of day and test a likely route. Confirm availability of primary care, specialists and hospitals; telehealth options have expanded but some specialties still require in-person access.

Evaluate safety and environment

Review local police or sheriff websites for crime maps and prevention resources. Use official open-data portals when available. Consider climate and environmental risks (flood zones, wildfire history, extreme heat) and insurance costs.

Visit, involve your family, and test daily life

If possible, visit the neighborhood at different times - weekdays, evenings and weekends. Walk streets, visit grocery stores, parks and schools. Involve children: show them photos, look up activities and plan a visit to their future school if allowed.

If you can't visit, ask for virtual tours of homes and neighborhoods and request local contacts (school administrators, neighbors, employer HR) for direct questions.

Compare tradeoffs and make a decision

Create a short checklist of priorities (budget, schools, commute, healthcare, outdoor access) and score each community. Remember lower housing costs can follow limited job opportunities or fewer services. Choosing a place that aligns with your top priorities reduces long-term friction and helps the whole family settle more smoothly.