NYC has been one of the top locations in the country. You can get a job fast, have a lot of fun, meet new cultures – the city has it all. However, recent trends have shown that many people decide to leave the city and move to rural areas.
The global pandemic and lockdowns made us realize it's better to live closer to nature, far away from small, expensive apartments and too many people in one place. If you're thinking about leaving New York City and moving to the countryside, you're making a good decision. Let's see how to do this the easiest way possible and enjoy your new home away from the Big Apple.
Reasons why people move from the city to rural areas
Living in a city like NYC has so many advantages – availability of everything at all times, opportunities to meet new people and pursue your career, endless entertainment options, etc. However, certain disadvantages make some NYC residents reconsider their choices and opt to move to the countryside. These include:
Skyrocketing housing prices – whether you're renting or buying a home, you'll have to pay more than in most other places in the country. NYC is known for high rental prices due to its popularity and dense population;
Traffic – even though New Yorkers avoid driving cars, there's still a lot of traffic in the street. This results in wasting more time in commuting, noise, and lack of parking;
The crowd – NYC is a huge attraction. Sometimes, locals find it hard to deal with tourists who visit all year round. Too many people around the city can sometimes be overwhelming, especially with the current need for social distancing;
The pandemic life – the coronavirus pandemic has forced many people to stay and work from home. As NYC apartments are generally small, this has become a problem for some. People are looking for more spacious homes, with backyards to enjoy being outside while still staying in their homes.
The pandemic has made us value the time spent outside and in nature more. That's why many have decided that leaving New York City and moving to the countryside is the right solution.
Things you can expect after leaving NYC and moving to the countryside
Moving preparations are not only about boxes and packing peanuts. You also need to mentally prepare for this step, as leaving NYC comes with some changes to your lifestyle. After moving to the countryside, you can expect a slower lifestyle and more time for yourself. Also, your budget will be thankful – everything is cheaper in the country. However, the downside to this is that not all the things will be available 24/7 as in NYC. So, you may miss a late-night food delivery and that special bagel from the corner. But, you can expect to have more contact with your neighbors, a bigger house, and the ability to enjoy nature, animals, and less noise around your home.
How to move with ease?
Moving a household depends on the size, for sure. However, whatever your home size, be sure to take moving organization seriously. Moving experts from teddymoving.com recommend you start preparing on time – weeks or even a couple of months before the moving day. Be sure to schedule your moving day first so you know how much time you have left to pack and say goodbye to New York. Then, you can continue ticking off tasks from your moving checklists and work your way toward the big day.
Packing for moving to the countryside
If you're moving to a bigger home, you might feel you should pack everything without decluttering. Even if you have enough space in your home, be sure to remove all the items you don't need before you start dealing with moving boxes. Decluttering will help you remove all the useless things, junk, damaged items, overgrown clothes, expired cosmetics, etc. This will not only create more space in your new home but help you pack and unpack much faster too. To make this task easier, do it systematically – room by room, and start early to have enough time.
Do you need to book movers?
Moving teams are very helpful when you need to relocate your home – especially when your new addresses are far away. Long-distance relocations are pretty challenging, as moving boxes and furniture need to travel long and be safely delivered. Doing everything on your own may seem like a less expensive option at first, but you should think again. DIY moves often include more risk of damaging items and hurting yourself, so if you need to leave Queens for good – it's better to hire someone who has the skill and tools to do it safely and efficiently.
Get a car
Even though you have used public transportation in NYC, living in the countryside will require you to get a car. Commuting to work and going grocery shopping usually requires people to drive. This, however, shouldn't be a problem as there's less traffic in the street, and you'll have no trouble finding parking.
Rent a property first
Leaving New York City and moving to the countryside gives you a slower-paced lifestyle, access to nature, and a bigger home. However, don't rush into such a big change of lifestyle. It's better to try it out first before making a more serious commitment. Opt for renting a home for at least six months before purchasing a property. This will let you adapt to the new lifestyle and see if it is right for you. Sometimes, even though they want to run away from certain disadvantages of living in NYC, people miss its advantages too much, so they decide to come back. For that reason, make sure you test yourself first and check if living in the countryside is the best thing to do.
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