Asking yourself the question, should I move house can lead to much contemplation. Everyone has different reasons for making this decision and it depends on the stage you are at in your life and any associated family, work or personal–related reasons which could be driving your change.
You may be ready to downsize as your children move forward with their lives, you may require warden-assisted accommodation due to health problems or your priorities have changed as you need to be living in a new school catchment area.
This post provides a checklist to help you through this complicated and important, life-changing decision.
What you need to consider when asking yourself the question – should I move house?
With any big change, it may be worth writing a ‘pros vs cons’ list outlining the benefits and disadvantages of moving house to give you peace of mind that it’s the right decision.
Factors to consider:
a) Your neighbours and community: Will you miss them or are they the reason for your move?
b) Noise factors: Is the area becoming noisy as more properties are being built or is the influx of traffic and associated pollution contributing to this? Adversely, you may be living in a rural area and feel quite isolated, so the noise could be comforting. Additionally, you may thrive on the social scene of bars and shops being on the doorstep and the ability to walk to your city job.
c) Safety of the area: Safety and crime in your neighbourhood can change constantly and this could be impacting your quality of life.
d) Amenities: Closeness to the Shops, Doctors, Dentist or Schools may be important to your household if you are have no access to transport, mobility issues or simply like the convenience of these close to your property.
e) Access to buses and public transport: If your mobility changes, this may be the overriding factor to give you more flexibility to meet up with friends and family, or reach work.
f) Health Conditions: During any stage of your life, ill-health may impact your ability to live on your own or support your family member which could result in you needing third party assistance and a network of friends so you feel less isolated. A solution may be moving into a property which comes with residential care or ward-assisted support, to provide you with this support along with access to social events.
g) Mobility: A health condition may prohibit you from being able to climb your stairs, so you may need a bungalow or reside in a flat which incorporates a lift or ground floor accommodation.
h) Financial: Costs may be the reason for your move, if you are no longer able to maintain your monthly bills and you may need to release some capital in your property. So finding a residence which is cheaper to maintain, smaller or payable on a rental basis may be a solution.Moving house can be costly, so it’s important to understand the financial side to moving as you will also need a Conveyancing Solicitor to navigate you through the complicated conveyancing process and legalities of moving home.It’s also important to understand what’s involved in moving to double check that it’s the right decision as well as being a sound, financial decision.
i) Emotional impact: For some, moving house can be stressful if you are not used to change, you don’t feel strong enough to deal with it or have resided in your property for a long period of time. Whereby for others it can be exciting and simple, when there is no chain or you have a good Conveyancing Solicitor to support you.
j) Religion: Religious beliefs may require you to live in close proximity to your religious place of worship or amenities, if you are not able to use any type of transport on particular days or during key religious festivals.
k) Space: Your current property may be too small or large depending on the composition of your household in terms of storage and rooms, or it no longer meets the needs of your current lifestyle.
l) Urban vs City: Priorities can change and how people wish to live their lives, either for a peaceful setting or alternatively, a busier social city life.
m) Business venture: During any stage in life, a career move could impact the type of accommodation that is needed if your property is to double up as a business venture or you need more land as well.
n) Relationship or Household change: Entering into a new relationship, a change in family circumstances to a single parent family, a bereavement or even acquiring an extended family can put a strain on your property or highlight the need to change where you live.
Options other than moving house
If your overriding decision to move house is due to space, then there is the option of extending your property. Check out planning permission and the associated costs of building costs and hiring professionals such as Architects or Engineers.
You may find it a cheaper or a more practical option if you like your property and the area fits your household needs.
Author
Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law.
Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing Agency for the Professional Services Sector.
