There are all kinds of reasons you might consider moving across states with your family. Most likely, you or your partner are thinking about getting a new job. Maybe the place you currently work has a new position with better pay, but it’s in a completely different state. It’s got you thinking; is this the right decision for my family? 

Nobody can make this decision for you, but you can look at some pros and cons of moving to a new state with your family: 

Pro: New opportunities

Naturally, a new place brings many new opportunities – including a job with better pay and more benefits. If this is the case for you, it’s hard to argue against moving. Think about the benefits these new opportunities can bring your family in the future!

Con: Stressful and life-changing

Packing up your belongings and moving to a completely different part of the country can be extremely stressful. It’s also a potentially life-changing moment for your family, particularly your kids. They may be settled in at school, and you’re plucking them from their friends and making them start a new life elsewhere. If you move from one coast to the other, they’ll be in a different timezone from their friends, making it even harder to stay connected. You have to consider if the advantages of moving outweigh the disadvantage of starting afresh and changing your kid’s life. 

Pro/Con: A brand new neighborhood

This can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on how you view it. You may move from a really nice neighborhood to a city in a state that has worse neighborhoods. For your family, this can be a problem as you may raise your kids in a place that’s not super family-friendly. 

On the other hand, the opposite can be true. You can go from a bad neighborhood to one that’s much better and has access to better schools and health care. It all depends on where you’re moving and where you’ve come from. 

Pro/Con: Can be more expensive or more affordable

Again, another pro/con depending on where you’re moving. If you’ve been offered a job in a new state, you might end up with a better job in a more affordable place to live. Or, you might get paid more, but the cost of living in the new state is significantly higher, meaning it’s actually harder for you to afford living there. 

You can also factor in the cost of the move itself. You have to pay to get all of your belongings to the new place. Sure, you can save money on UPS domestic shipping with Unishippers to send your baggage across, but it can still be a costly process. You really need to look at the financial outlook of moving to a different state before deciding whether it’s a good idea. 

Overall, you could look at these points and realize that moving your family to a different state is a fantastic move. It opens new doors, gives you a better job, lets you raise your kids in a nicer environment, and is more affordable. Or, the opposite can be true. If you are planning on moving, check out this short guide on some of the things to consider.