Although moving isn’t generally a task that people look forward to, switching around your living situation can have a lot of benefits that amplify your happiness and quality of life.

Some people move because their current home is too small, some because it’s too big. Some move for different reasons entirely. If you are starting to feel a bit of cabin fever in your current abode, follow along in this post to see if a change of address is what you need to put the spring back in your step.

Is it Time for me to Move?

Only you really know the answer to that question, but if you are feeling uncertain, you should probably take a look at why you want to move to determine if it’s something that can be remedied in your current property, or if you need to go all the way and find a new home.

Some of the most common reasons for moving to a new property altogether include:

Size of Your Current Home

Maybe your current home has become too small, either because of your growing family or because you transitioned into having a home business. Your space might also start to feel a bit tight once you know you can afford an upgrade.

Alternately, your house may also have become too big. Maybe it’s because you’re finally experiencing an empty nest after years of raising your kids, or maybe it’s because a roommate or partner has chosen to live elsewhere. It might also be that the home is costing you more than you’re comfortable with in terms of utilities and rent or a mortgage.

If you’re starting to feel like you have outgrown your current space, either because it’s too roomy or because it’s making you feel boxed in, it might not be a bad idea to explore your options.

Be sure to have an idea of what size home would best fit with your needs so that you choose something that you will be happy in long term. Think about what you might want your home to look like 5 years from now, and 10 years from now to get a picture of what you could grow into.

You’re Ready to Buy

Maybe the reason you’re feeling less than enthused with your space is because you’re looking to start building equity instead of paying monthly rent.

If this is the case, you should probably figure out where you stand in terms of your eligibility for a mortgage. What does your credit look like? Do you have long-term job history? Can your salary support a mortgage?

Be sure that you have a good idea of where you want to move, how much you can afford, and what you want in a home before taking the steps to purchase. Use your current space to get an idea of what you might like in a new home. For example, is a yard important to you? What about storage space? How many bedrooms do you want to have?

Make sure that, like with changing the size of your home, you consider what you want your property to look like at least 5 years from now so that you can choose one that will be a good fit for years to come.

Your Lifestyle has Changed

If you’re at a different place in your life than you were when you first chose your current home, it could have something to do with the way that you feel about it.

Perhaps you have a bigger budget now and want to upgrade, or it could be that you want to be closer to the things that you spend the most time doing, like your hobbies, school, job, or activities. It could also be that you have reached a different stage in your life, such as retirement, and are looking for a new living situation.

In this case, the area that your potential home is located in may be the most important consideration to make. For example, if you spend a lot of your time in nature, you may want to consider an area either outside of town or on the outskirts. Alternately, if you want to be closer to your favorite haunts in the city, downtown might be the thing for you.

You Want to Relocate

Up for a change of scenery or looking to explore career opportunities in a new area? While these are some of the bolder reasons to relocate, they’re certainly some of the most popular. Think about how many people move to Hollywood each year to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, for example, or the popularity of Silicon Valley for anyone interested in making it big in the tech industry.

Regardless if you’re interested in moving somewhere new because you want to try something different, or you are seriously pursuing a career in an industry that does especially well in a given location, be sure to do your research before taking the plunge.

Check out what the job market looks like where you want to move, and if your skill set is in demand. Look into the types of properties that are available, and what they will cost you to either rent or purchase.

If you happen to get a job in a city where you want to live before you move, the employer may even help to cover your moving costs, and you won’t need to worry about finding a job and house at the same time.

Should I Move?

Whether or not you should move is really up to you. If it’s something that you have been thinking about for a long time, and you believe that it will help you to have a happier life, then it could be time to start shopping for prospective properties.

On the other hand, if the thought of living somewhere new is merely a phase or your current home isn’t really quite as bad as you previously thought, you might want to stick it out for a little longer until you have a clear picture of what you are looking for.

In any search for a new property, make sure to have a list of wants, a list of needs, and a clearly defined budget so that your new property fits both your preferences and your wallet.

After reading this post, do you think you’re ready to move?

Posted by Brittany Foster

Brittany is a writer, editor, and content manager interested in law, marketing, and technology. She's been writing for LawDepot since 2014.